source: minti.com
- Alcohol - proceed with caution. Large quanties of alcohol can lead to your baby having foetal alcohol syndrome. No one is sure how small amounts effect baby. Experts hve different advice ranging from 1-2 drinks once or twice a week, to no alcohol whatsoever. I personally did not touch a drink in the first few months. Especially while brain development is happening. Later I only drank socially and had one glass of wine.
- Aromatherapy - Some essential oils are very beneficial in prganancy, but others are thought to be unsafe, so avoid massage oils, pillow sprays and bath products. Use blends specially designed for pregnancy. Oils that are okay inclue lavender,sage,citrusoils and camomile.
- Asthma Medication - It is a vital to control your asthma, as it is dangerous for your baby to be deprived of oxygen if you have an asthma attack. Let your GP know you are pregnant, and discuss ways to manage your asthma and stay safe, Remember to tell your midwife, and others caring for you during your labour, that you are asthmatic, too.
- Cystitis remedies - Steer clear. Sachet medications aren't recommended as they have a very high salt content. Try cranberry juice instead and drink lots of fluids. If it doesn't clear up, see your GP, who can prescribe safe antibiotics.
- Diarrhoea medicine - You can take rehydration drinks but not tablets, If in doubt, ask your GP.
- Exercise. - Keeping fit and active during pregnancy is not just good for you - it's also beneficial to your baby, with a few provisos: avoid high impact excercises, don't do any sit-ups or crunches (your abdominal muscles seperate during pregnancy and you risk tearing them), and make sure you stop whenever you feel tired or too hot. Also, dont start anything new: stick to what your body is used to. My exercise was walking to and from the train station to go to work. A good half an hour combind during the day.
- Fake tan - Go for it. The chemicals in fake tanning products aren't absorbed nto your bloodstream, so they're safe. Don't use sun beds because, as well as being bad for your skin, they could cause you to overheat, Also avoid tanning pills.
- Flying- proceed with caution It's safe to fly in the first two trimesters, but most airlines have restrictions on flying in the last trimesters, but most airlines have restrictions on flying in the last trimester, so it's important to check with your airline. It's a good idea to get a letter from your GP giving you permission to fly if your obviously pregnant, to avoid frustrating delays at the check-in desk.
- Hay fever medication. - Steer clear of antihistamine tablets, but you can use nasal sprays that work directly on the affected area (your nose) and won't be passed through to your baby. If in dought check with our pharmacist. I suffered bad with sinus while pregnant and the Chemist assistant recommened Horse raddish and garlic vitaman tablets. This cleared it up straight away.
- Caffeine - Tea and coffe are safe as long as you don't have more than 300mg of caffeine a day - that's three cups of coffee or six of tea. This is good news for me I have to have my hit each morning.
- Hair dye. - There's no evidence that the chemicals in the hair dye are unsafe in pregnancy - but you could give it a miss for the first trimester to put your mind at rest. Or minimise contact with chemicals b using a hair colour that isn't absorbed into the scalp, such as semi-permanent.
- Kitty litter. - Cat fecies carry toxoplasmosis, which can harm your baby if you contract it during pregancy, altough the risk of this is very small. Have someone else empty the cat litter, or wear rubber gloves if you really have to do it yourself.
- Pain medication - Paracetamol is considered safe during pregnancy, but as with anything, it's best to save it for when you really need it. Try other remedies, such as a cooling patches, that you can buy from pharmacists. Most headaches are cased by lack of water. If my body ached I had a nice warm bath.
- Peanut Butter - It is thought that eating to many peanuts during pregnancy may increase your chances of having a baby with a nut allergy. It's particularly important to be careful if you have a family history of allergies.
- Making love - Trying to say this with everyone's understanding with out being crude. Intermite relations. If your having a normal, low-risk pregnancy, then sex is absolutely fine. Check with your doctor if your've experienced any bleeding, a previous miscarriage, or you have a low-lying placenta.
- Smoky pub and clubs - It is now well known that passive smoking is dangerous, and nay toxins from cigarette smoke will be passed through to your baby in small amounts. Ask friends and family not ot smoke around you, and when socialising, choose a non-smoking enviroment.
- Spa baths - Hot baths, saunas and spas aren't a good idea as it's bad for you and your baby to get too hot. Bath wate should be no highter that body tempreture.
- Tampons - If you experince spotting have it checked by a midwife, use other sanitary items. You should nver use a tampon as it can introduce bateria , which is close to your cervix and uterus. Also should not be used after birth either.
- Paint - Solvents in paint can be harmful to your unborn baby. While painting the odd room won't expose you to much, ensure that there is plenty of ventilation and stop if you fin the fumes too strong. Trust your instincts.
- Tight Jeans - Tight clothing in general, will not physically harm you or your baby, they're definitely not the most comfortable pregnancy option. I personally could not stand anything night over my belly. Firstly I found it hot and secondly uncomfortable
- Thrush medication - Thrush is common in pregnancy. Anti-fungal creams are fine, pessaries, but you can't take oral tablets. If in doubt check with your GP or pharmacist. I found to keep this under control taking a acidophilous tablet and drinking cranberry juice helped.
- Underwire bras - Your breasts are growing and changing throughout pregnancy. If anything puts pressure on the new, delicate tussue, it could become inflamed or blocked. wear comfortable brash and make sure you get fitted for the right sized bra when breastfeeding.
- Vaccincations - It's best to avoid holiday vaccination or risk the disease.
- X-rays and microwaves - The level of radiation in most x-rays is far lower than the levels tha could be dangerous to your baby - just make sure you tell the radiographer that your pregnant. As for micorwaves, go for it. Thre are no reports of adverse pregnancy outcomes related to them.
