After you saw two pink stripes on the test, the time for worries and anxieties begins..

You begin to think about how the usual two cups of coffee at work or a hot dog eaten at lunch will affect the child.

Undoubtedly, pregnancy is the most responsible and disturbing stage in the life of every woman..

And, of course, it is your responsibility to know as much as possible to protect your child..

In this voluminous article, we will try to present all (well, or almost all) data known to science about what you can and cannot eat, drink or do during pregnancy.. The information will be presented in the form of questions and answers given by American experts in the field of obstetrics, gynecology and fetal medicine.. All answers are based on the most up-to-date and reliable foreign sources.

Alcohol.

Should I Avoid Alcohol During Pregnancy?

The answer is unequivocal: yes. Although a glass of wine with dinner may seem harmless to some, there is no concept of “safe amount of alcohol for pregnant women” in modern medical science.. In other words, any dose of alcohol can both pass without consequences and seriously harm the child..

What can happen due to alcohol?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a complication caused by excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy.. One of the most common consequences of drinking alcohol is a variety of physical deformities and mental retardation.. Moreover, alcohol sometimes causes more serious anomalies than heroin, cocaine or marijuana..

Alcohol easily crosses the placental barrier and has an effect on the fetus, which copes with this poison much worse than the adult mother's body.. This means that alcohol accumulates in the fetus at higher concentrations and stays in it longer.. Therefore, theoretically, even moderate drinking can harm the fetus..

Caffeine.

Should I Avoid/Limit Caffeine While Pregnant

Yes, we should. It is very wise to reduce your caffeine intake in this case.. Studies show that even 200-300 mg of caffeine per day (that's 2-3 cups of coffee, depending on the brand and method of brewing) can be harmful to the fetus.. Smaller amounts are presumed to be safe.

What can happen due to caffeine?

High caffeine intake linked to risk of miscarriage and possibly other pregnancy complications.

How best to proceed?

It is recommended to do three things:.

If you are used to coffee, you should reduce the amount to 1-2 cups per day 2. It is necessary to gradually reduce the rate of coffee, you can combine regular coffee and decaffeinated coffee 3. In the end, you should completely give up this drink for the period of pregnancy and lactation. Remember that caffeine is not only found in coffee.. Sources of caffeine are also black and green tea, cola and a number of energy drinks (energy drinks should not be consumed by pregnant women at all! Even chocolate has caffeine. True, if a cup of coffee contains 95-135 mg of caffeine, then a chocolate bar of this alkaloid contains only 5-30 mg.. So a little chocolate won't hurt you.

Some food products.

What foods should be avoided during pregnancy?

There is a large list of foods that can contain various heavy metals, bacteria, synthetic additives that should be avoided during this period.. Here is a rough list:.

Unpasteurized milk, juices, apple cider 2. Unpasteurized cheeses such as feta, camembert, brie, queso fresco, etc..

Raw or undercooked seafood including sushi and oysters 4. All foods that contain under-processed meat and poultry 5. Raw eggs and any foods that contain them You need to know that fish and seafood (if cooked properly) is a very important and healthy part of the diet of a pregnant woman. Seafood contains omega-3 fatty acids, valuable proteins, trace elements. But experts advise avoiding certain types of fish that can contain mercury, a deadly poison for the fetus.. Among them:.

Shark 2. Swordfish 3. King mackerel 4. Kafelnik 5. Tuna Why are these products dangerous for a child?

Although a pregnant woman should eat a large and balanced diet, it is very important to avoid food poisoning.. Infections such as salmonellosis, listeriosis, toxoplasmosis are especially dangerous - all of them can be caused by microbes present in food.. These infections can result in the formation of congenital malformations and miscarriage..

cat toilet.

Is it possible to change the cat litter during pregnancy?

It is forbidden. During pregnancy, someone else should do it.. But that doesn't mean you have to avoid your pet..

Why is it dangerous?

The infection called toxoplasmosis, which we mentioned above, can be transmitted through contact with cat feces.. This is a very dangerous infection for the fetus that can cause premature birth, fetal growth failure, severe damage to the eyes and central nervous system.. Toxoplasmosis may not manifest itself in any way, but at the same time the pregnant woman continues to transmit the infection to her child.

Prescription and OTC drugs.

Should You Avoid Medication During Pregnancy

Some yes, others no. Yes, and it is unlikely that in modern conditions this will work.. There are thousands of drugs that can harm the fetus. Be sure to ask your doctor and read the instructions for the drug before using it.. This will help keep you and your unborn baby healthy..

What are the risks for the child?

Even a “simple” over-the-counter drug that is safe for everyone else can cause a lot of problems during pregnancy.. Many drugs are teratogenic, meaning they cause birth defects.. Some interfere with fetal growth, increase the risk of preterm birth, cause impaired mental development.

What can be done?

The instructions for any drug should clearly state what is known (if at all) about its safety during pregnancy.. If in doubt, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. In conclusion, it is worth noting that a very good and probably the most complete database of drug safety is available to the FDA: in complex cases it is useful to read their official information..

Dietary supplements and medicinal plants (“harmless herbs”) are the least studied in this regard, so they should be avoided, with rare exceptions.. Again, if in doubt, you need to ask a specialist again, you can also visit the FDA archives.

Soft drugs.

Can they be used during pregnancy?

It is forbidden. In addition to the possible formation of congenital malformations, a child may be born dependent on drugs..

What can be done?

If you used drugs during pregnancy or before conception, it is very important to inform your doctor. Even if you quit, your child may still have health problems, and the doctor should be aware. If you are unable to quit, be sure to seek help as soon as possible..

Tobacco smoking.

Should You Avoid Smoking During Pregnancy

Necessarily. American doctors sadly joke that smoking is tantamount to a mother putting a cigarette in her child's mouth and forcing them to take a couple of puffs.. Sounds disgusting, but this is what it looks like on a biological level.. Nicotine, carbon monoxide and other toxins from cigarette smoke easily enter the bloodstream of the fetus and poison it..

Why smoking is dangerous for a child?

If a pregnant woman smokes, it can cause:.

•Stillbirth.

• Fetal growth retardation.

•Premature birth.

•Low birth weight.

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

• Asthma and other respiratory diseases.

What can be done?

You should not only avoid cigarettes yourself, but also make those with whom you are close to not smoke in front of you - your husband, relatives, neighbor, work colleague. Try to visit only places where smoking is prohibited. Don't be around people who smoke. If you smoke and cannot quit on your own, ask your doctor for help - today there are effective remedies that are suitable even for pregnant women.

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