15 Things Pregnant Women Should Avoid - Important Information for Pregnant Women

There are many things that can cause complications for pregnant women, and it is important that these women avoid these issues to have a healthy pregnancy. The most important goal for a mother to be and her unborn child is health. This is at the top of the priority list. IN order to keep a pregnancy viable and healthy, the woman should avoid those activities and items that can cause these complications. Below is a list of 15 things pregnant women should avoid. Among these are common household items and food that many women were unaware could cause a problem during pregnancy.

1. Stress – This can cause serious health complications to both mother and unborn baby. Practicing yoga, meditation or tai chi can help to alleviate some of the daily stress that can accumulate.
2. Tobacco – Tobacco in any form is passed through to a mother’s blood stream. This can be harmful to the baby. Smoke that is either first or second hand can also harm the baby causing low birth weight and also providing less oxygen for the baby in the uterus. This is one of the important 15 things pregnant women should avoid.
3. Alcohol – Any alcohol that is consumed in excess is considered to be harmful, and can cause fetal alcohol syndrome. This is important to know as one of the 15 things pregnant women should avoid.
4. Some Over the Counter Medications – Over the counter medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen can be passed through to the baby, and its effect can cause complications to their growth.
5. Some Prescription Medication – All medications should be check by a doctor to determine their safety during pregnancy. There are many drug companies who provide this information on their website.
6. Cat Litter / Cat Feces – Cat feces can cause a serious condition to the pregnant women called toxoplasmosis.
7. Vitamin A Supplements – Too much vitamin A can be toxic. Many foods contain this vitamin, so the chances are very low that there would ever be a deficiency in this vitamin.
8. Caffeine – This can be too stimulating to the baby and also cause the mother to get high blood pressure. The baby’s developing cardiovascular system may be affected by a pregnant woman consuming too much caffeine.
9. Pesticides – Many pesticides have toxic chemicals that are poisonous to people. When these chemicals are either inhaled or absorbed through the skin, they can cause great harm to the unborn child.
10. Paint – Many paint fumes are considered toxic. It is important to read the label on the back of the paint canister to determine if the paint is safe for pregnant women to be around. It is best to steer clear of any paint during pregnancy to be sure.
11. Raw Fish – This can cause harmful effect to a pregnant woman’s health.
12. Foods High in Mercury – Mercury has been linked to many birth defects in babies. This is one of the 15 things pregnant women should avoid because it can have serious ramifications.
13. Jacuzzis and Saunas – Both of these have been lined to neural tube defect. It is also unsafe to be in any heated water while pregnant.
14. Tanning Beds – Can cause burning to a pregnant woman’s sensitive skin.
15. Toxic Fumes – These can cause birth defects and abnormalities and is the final number of the 15 things pregnant women should avoid.

Learning the 15 things pregnant women should avoid will help to keep the pregnancy healthy and viable. Many of these items are unhealthy whether a person is pregnant or not, so it may be good for a woman’s overall health to steer clear of these items that can cause problems to her unborn baby as well.

http://pregnancyready.com/15-things-pregnant-women-should-avoid-important-information-for-pregnant-women/