When you become pregnant, what you do to your body no longer affects just you, it also affects the little person growing inside you. This fact necessitates a change in some unhealthy habits many of us have to ensure that your baby gets the best start in life possible when he or she is born.
Once you become pregnant, your body will begin to undergo a series of major changes. How much you'll need to change your lifestyle will depend largely on your current habits. Unhealthy activities such as drinking, smoking and illegal drug use must be curtailed completely during pregnancy.
Other habits such as caffeine use and prescription medications must also be addressed. Work and recreational activities may need to be avoided at some point, depending on the nature of those activities and your health. It's an iron-clad commandment that activities such as drinking, smoking and illegal drug use have to end during pregnancy. Period. No exceptions.
While there are some that argue the occasional glass of wine is harmless during pregnancy, there is no scientific evidence proving that any level of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. When you drink alcohol, it is passed to your baby through your bloodstream. Needless to say, your baby is much smaller than you and much more susceptible to the ill effects of alcohol. Excessive drinking during pregnancy greatly increases the chances of miscarriage and fetal death. - Drinking during pregnancy can also cause problems such as fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol effect, which may cause birth defects such as facial deformities, heart problems, mental retardation and low birth rate.
- Smoking is also dangerous for your baby. Smoking introduces dangerous chemicals such as carbon monoxide and nicotine into your bloodstream, and through it to your baby. These chemicals can reduce the flow of oxygen to your baby and decrease your baby's supply of nutrients. If you smoke while you're pregnant, you run the risk of a premature birth, problems with providing your baby with nourishment through the placenta, low birth weight, birth defects and stillbirth.
- All illegal drugs, be it methamphetamine or marijuana are potentially harmful to your baby. Just like smoking and alcohol, any recreational drugs you take while pregnant are going to be passed to your baby. For example, if you use marijuana during pregnancy you run the risk of causing your baby to receive less oxygen, which can result in a low-birth weight baby. Methamphetamine use during pregnancy can also greatly increase your chances of going into premature labor, having a miscarriage, or enduring placental abruption.
There are also legal consequences for drug use during pregnancy, as many states have laws requiring medical staff to report the presence of any illicit drugs in a new mother's blood to state child protective services agencies.
It may sound trite, but when it comes to alcohol, smoking and drugs during pregnancy, just say no. - Drug and alcohol: Drug and alcohol use may be the most serious of bad habits you may need to give up during pregnancy, but they aren't the only ones. There are a number of other habits and behaviors you may need to change during pregnancy for the sake of your baby.
- Caffeine: It may seem odd, but it's a good idea to avoid caffeine during pregnancy. High amounts of caffeine may cause your baby to be born with a low birth weight, which is bad because low birth weight can make it difficult for a baby to maintain a healthy body temperature and good levels of blood sugar. Consider limiting your caffeine intake by switching to decaffeinated beverages during your pregnancy.
- Exercise: Exercise can be good during pregnancy, but it's probably not the time to compete in a female powerlifting competition. While pregnant you should be careful with exercise and sporting activities that could cause you to fall or suffer an abdominal injury. Also, once you're past your first trimester you should refrain from engaging in floor exercises that require you to be on your back for lengthy amounts of time. During pregnancy, forms of exercise include walking, swiming or cycling on a stationary bike.
- Diet and eating habits: Diet and eating habits are also important behaviors to monitor during pregnancy. While you're pregnant, it's important to eat a wide variety of foods that are healthy for both you and your baby. You should eat at least three meals per day and a few snacks as well. Consult with your doctor to make sure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need to keep yourself healthy and also provide for the nutritional needs of your baby.
Although some habits may be hard to break, and some behaviors difficult to modify, adopting a healthier lifestyle during pregnancy will ensure that your baby has an excellent start in life free of some of the healthy problems that may arise because of a lack of nutirients or an introduction of toxins while in the womb. It could also be the beginning of a healthier lifestyle for you that you may choose to continue after you give birth. |
