Pregnancy Safety

Is having sex safe during pregnancy? Can you have tuna when you are pregnant? Is alcohol prohibited for pregnant women? First-time moms-to-be can be bothered with a number of questions on pregnancy safety.

Here are the important pregnancy safety guidelines listed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):

Food safety during pregnancy

Some foods are to be avoided during pregnancy and some can be had in minimal quantities. Listed below are the do’s and don’ts of pregnancy food habits:

·         Drinking alcohol is a strict no-no in pregnancy. There is no minimum or maximum limit for alcohol intake for pregnant women; it’s just not allowed.

·         Be aware of foods that can cause listeriosis, a bacterial infection which can be harmful to the baby. Avoid the following foods during pregnancy in order to prevent listeriosis:

o   Mould-ripened cheese like camembert

o   Unpasteurized milk and milk products

o   Refrigerated pate, meat and smoked seafood

o   Cold cured meats

o   Partially or uncooked eggs

o   Raw shellfish and Sushi

o   Packaged fruits or vegetable cuts and salads

·         Limit your caffeine consumption to 200mg per day

·         Fish varieties that have high levels of mercury in it like shark, king mackerel, orange roughy, swordfish and tilefish should be avoided or can be consumed not more than once a week.

Safe sex during pregnancy

Unless your doctor has specifically warned you not to have sex during pregnancy, sex shouldn’t be a problem for your pregnancy safety. As your baby bump gets bigger, sex could be uncomfortable. It is a good idea to try safe pregnancy sex positions.

Travel safety during pregnancy

The following are ACOG’s guidelines for safe travel during pregnancy:

·         For healthy pregnant women, traveling shouldn’t pose any pregnancy safety issues until 36 weeks of pregnancy. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before you plan a long trip.

·         The best phase for safe travel during pregnancy is the second trimester when you are out of miscarriage risks and also not as bulky as you would become in the third trimester.

·         If you have to travel to a place out of your country or to a place where there is an epidemic risk, make sure to get all the necessary vaccinations done before you leave.

·         Some airlines may not allow you to board the flight after 28 weeks, so you might have to plan your travel in advance for long journeys in order to avoid any last-minute hassles and stress.

·         Whether you are traveling by car, airplane or other mode, be aware of the possible inconveniences and pregnancy safety issues the travel may cause so that you can decide to avoid the travel instead of feeling stressed or sorry later.

·         If you have a risk for premature labor or preeclampsia, it is wise to avoid travels in the later part of pregnancy.

Safe exercises during pregnancy

It is recommended that pregnant women remain active and fit throughout pregnancy. Moderate exercises for around 150 minutes a week is ideal. If you have a specific risk or complication, you need to consult with your doctor about what kind of exercises you can safely do during pregnancy. A healthy pregnant woman can safely adopt one or more of the following physical activities in her daily routine:

·         Walking

·         Swimming

·         Cycling on a stationary bike

·         Prenatal Yoga

Chemicals to avoid during pregnancy

Pregnancy demands you to be wary of the household chemicals you have been using until your pre-pregnancy days. Exposure to certain toxic chemicals can affect the normal growth and development of the fetus. The most common chemicals to avoid or to be used carefully during pregnancy are:

·         Cleaning solutions which contain naphthalene

·         Hair dyes in high dosages

·         Painting chemicals

·         Fake tan

Wearing gloves and working in a well-ventilated space while using household products will ensure pregnancy safety.

References

ACOG Pregnancy Book. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

https://www.acog.org/Patients/ACOG-Pregnancy-Book