Cebu City -- Being an expecting mother is a thrilling yet nerve-wracking feeling, some things might be done that are not good for both the baby and the mother. So, to help clear up some doubts and fears here are some ‘don’ts’ during pregnancy.
First, don’t is to avoid alcohol consumption. Consuming alcohol can cause physical, intellectual, behavioral impairments to the developing baby in the womb. There is also Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) that is caused by a huge amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy. It is also good to take note that the alcohol consumed is easily passed along to the fetus where its body is not capable to remove the alcohol.
Some women might not be able to start their day without a cup of coffee, but during pregnancy and during breastfeeding the caffeine or coffee consumption should be limited to 2-3 cups of coffee but take note it depends on the portion size given. It is better to consult an obstetrician-gynecologist to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby.
Consumption of raw or undercooked food items is to be avoided. Food items like a runny egg, medium-rare meat, sushi, and many more. This is to avoid any foodborne illness like salmonella that could be life-threatening to the fetus and might lead to miscarriage or even birth defects. This also goes the same with processed meat, unpasteurized milk, and cheese.
Smoking or e-cigarettes is to be avoided even before getting pregnant, that is why smoking during pregnancy is a big no, since the carbon monoxide, nicotine, and other chemicals are passed down to the growing fetus. Furthermore, mothers should also avoid people who smoke, whether they are friends, co-workers, and smoking areas in public places. This causes low birth weight, stillbirth or miscarriage, prematurity, and other respiratory problems.
These are some ‘don’ts’ during pregnancy. There are still a lot more things to cover in the topic of pregnancy. It is always safe to consult your physicians, obstetrician-gynecologist, and a nutritionist-dietitian to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy. // NO I Christine April M. Lopez, RND
