|
Pregnancy Do’s and Don’ts |
Pregnant women are bombarded with Do’s and Don'ts. It's tough to keep it all straight. Here are some helpful reminders.
Pregnancy Dos
- See your doctor regularly. Prenatal care can help keep you and your baby healthy and spot problems if they occur.
- Continue taking folic acid throughout your pregnancy. All women capable of pregnancy should get 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day.
- Eat a variety of healthy foods. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium rich foods, and lean meats.
- Get all essential nutrients, including iron, every day. Getting enough iron prevents anemia, which is linked to preterm birth and low-birth weight babies. Ask your doctor about taking a daily prenatal vitamin or iron supplement.
- Drink extra fluids, especially water.
- Get moving! Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, physical activity is good for you and your baby.
- Gain a healthy amount of weight. Gaining more than the recommended amount during pregnancy increases a woman’s risk for pregnancy complications.
- Wash hands, especially after handling raw meat or using the bathroom.
- Get enough sleep. Aim for 7 to 9 hours every night. Resting on your left side helps blood flow to you and your baby and prevents swelling.
- Set limits. If you can, control the stress in your life and set limits. Don't be afraid to say no to requests for your time and energy.
- Ask your doctor before stopping any medicines you take or taking any new medicines. Prescription, over-the- counter, and herbal medicine all can harm your baby.
- Get a flu shot if your baby’s due date is between March and July. Pregnant women can get very sick from the flu and may need hospital care. Ask your doctor about the flu vaccine.
- Always wear a seatbelt. The lap strap should go under your belly, across your hips. The shoulder strap should go between your breasts and to the side of your belly. Make sure it fits snuggly.
- Join a childbirth or parenting class.
Pregnancy Don'ts
- Don't smoke tobacco. Smoking during pregnancy passes nicotine and cancer-causing drugs to your baby. Smoking also keeps your baby from getting needed nourishment and raises the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and infant death.
- Avoid exposure to toxic substances and chemicals, such as cleaning solvents, lead and mercury, some insecticides, and paint. Pregnant women should avoid exposure to paint fumes.
- Protect yourself and your baby from food-borne illness, which can cause serious health problems and even death. Handle, clean, cook, eat, and store food properly.
- Don't drink alcohol. There is no known safe amount of alcohol a woman can drink while pregnant.
- Don't use illegal drugs.
- Don't clean or change a cat's litter box. This could put you at risk for toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be very harmful to the fetus.
- Don't eat fish with lots of mercury, including swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tilefish.
- Don't take very hot baths or use hot tubs or saunas. High temperatures can be harmful to the fetus, or cause you to faint.
- Avoid x-rays. If you must have dental work or diagnostic tests, tell your dentist or physician that you are pregnant so that extra care can be taken.
womenshealth.gov |
