Forbidden and not recommended habits in pregnancy: what are they? Find out what you cannot do when you are pregnant.
During pregnancy it is essential that the future mother follow a healthy lifestyle, based on following a varied, healthy and balanced diet, stay active and practice physical exercise on a regular basis (only that which she can carry out, and that obviously do not involve a lot of physical effort, such as walking).
But, in addition to these two basic recommendations, there are some forbidden habits that the future mother should avoid, reduce or eliminate drastically during the 9 months of pregnancy, since they have a very negative influence on the correct development of both pregnancy in general. As well as the fetus in particular.
If you are pregnant (congratulations!), Or if you plan to be soon, here are those habits to avoid during pregnancy. Take note and get to work!
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can harm your baby’s mental and physical development. Why? Very simple: alcohol is able to reach the fetus through the placenta, which can cause the child to grow more slowly, have congenital problems or weigh less at birth.
The studies carried out have not made it entirely clear when the baby is most affected. On the other hand, there is no minimum amount that does not pose a risk to pregnancy, so the basic recommendation is simply to leave it completely, and not consume any drink or drink during pregnancy.
What if you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant? If so, don’t worry, in those first days of pregnancy it is quite likely that alcohol has not caused any problems in the embryo.
Smoke
As with alcoholic beverages, there is no safe level of tobacco use during pregnancy. In fact, it has been proven that you smoke a few cigarettes a day, the future mother exposes the fetus to more than 7,000 toxic and harmful substances, which affect its proper development and growth.
And what consequences does it produce in the fetus? When there is tobacco smoke in the environment, which the future mother inhales in addition to inhaling that corresponding to her own cigarettes, the fetus receives less oxygen, so that her heartbeat increases and the growth of her lungs is altered. On the other hand, blood circulation through the placenta decreases, which influences the fetus receiving fewer nutrients.
It has been scientifically proven that babies of smoking mothers have a higher risk of contracting infections, and of having other health problems:
- Having nicotine withdrawal syndrome at birth, which makes the baby very irritable.
- Die of sudden infant death.
- Being born with congenital malformations, such as: cleft lip, cleft palate and heart malformations.
- Suffering respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, otitis and pneumonia.
As we indicated previously, there is no minimum amount that we could consider as a “safe level of tobacco use”. Therefore, the recommendation is simple: stop smoking before, during and after pregnancy.
Sausages and undercooked meat
Although it has only been linked to cats, did you know that you are more likely to get toxoplasmosis by eating contaminated undercooked meat and contaminated sausages, as well as equally contaminated fresh vegetables?
The truth is that although outside of pregnancy it is an infection that is not very important, during pregnancy it can cause malformations in the fetus, and in the first months of pregnancy it can cause abortion.
How to prevent it? Always eat cooked meat well done, broiled or fried. Avoid raw sausages and opt only for cooked sausages. When it comes to fresh vegetables, wash them very well before eating.
Hot baths and saunas
Although at other times they can be beneficial and therapeutic, especially when it comes to reducing anxiety and stress and helping us relax our minds, during pregnancy you should avoid exposing yourself to high temperatures, such as hot baths and saunas.
Why? High temperatures cause excessive vasodilation, which can cause fainting and dizziness.
However, many gynecologists and obstetricians agree that a month before delivery the future mother can use the Jacuzzi, yes, as long as the water is not very hot and the jets are not directed directly towards the abdomen.
X-rays (getting x-rays)
Surely, when you have gone to the dentist, at some point you will have noticed a notice paper that they usually put, and that indicates that if you are pregnant, notify the dentist. The reason? X-rays (for example, getting an x-ray) should be avoided during pregnancy.
In this sense, it is always advisable to inform the health professional, since if the test is not of vital importance, it is likely to be suspended and left for when you give birth. But in the event that the test must be carried out yes or yes, then it will apply the lowest dose, with the shortest possible time and always protecting those most sensitive areas. Therefore it is always important that you inform him.
