Monday, June 20, 2011

PREGNANCY DO’S AND DONT’S




For persons planning to get pregnant and especially for those struggling with infertility, ever so often you daydream about getting pregnant and how blissfully happy you will be.

When we do get pregnant, we are ecstatic of course, but soon we become so preoccupied with all the do’s and don’ts of pregnancies that others are so quick to make known to us, to the point where we are really not able to enjoy our pregnancies, as we otherwise thought we would.

Here are a few categories that I would like to look at:-

I am going to start first with what we can and cannot eat:-

Seafood: is number one on my list. Seafood rich in mercury like swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tilefish etc., is said not be consumed by women who are pregnant. Others such as, tuna, salmon, catfish, shrimp etc., can be consumed but you must not exceed 12 ounces in any one week.

Caffeine and Alcohol:  is said to not to be consumed by pregnant women as well but in recent researches, I am seeing where you up to 300mg of caffeine a day is ok, For  alcohol we are advised not to drink it at all, because no amount of it is safe.

Cheese: Hard cheese like cheddar and mozorella can be consumed, but soft cheese, like blue cheese must be avoided because the milk used to produce this cheese is said to not be pasteurized.

Deli Meats: Deli Meats can be consumed, but they must be reheated in the microwave, to kill any bacteria, which might be present.
Secondly, I want to look at Beauty and Hygiene:-

Manicures and Pedicures: These are safe to have, but you are advised to bring your own equipment to avoid being exposed to any bacteria. You are also advised to stay clear of any salons with strong chemical odours, and look for those with air condition and fans, so you do not inhale fumes.


Lastly, I want to look at sleeping positions  during pregnancy:-

Sleeping positions:  This one drove me crazy when I was pregnant with my son as I was constantly suffering from leg cramps. Sleeping during pregnancy can be quite challenging and uncomfortable and will require you shifting from position to position as you try to feel comfortable. We are advised that it is best to sleep on our left side, as this benefits the baby in terms of blood flow and it also helps your kidneys to eliminate waste effectively from the body, hence reducing swelling in your ankles feet and hands. Since it will be difficult to sleep on one side alone, it is further recommended that you try shifting from side to side, but sleep more on the left side.

There are a lot other do’s and don’ts of pregnancy, that I have not covered and so, below please find some sites with more information in this regard.




It is my wish that you will enjoy your pregnancy, regardless of these do’s and don’ts.

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