Before your little bundle of joy arrives, you’re responsible for helping them grow in a nurturing, healthy environment. With the 1st day of detection, the worry about the little one starts. However, worrying out about every small thing you come into contact with can make for a long and stressful three trimesters. Every pregnant woman only prefers to know that will it harm your baby? It looks like everything you put on your body or in your mouth could be awful for your baby but it’s not completely true. We disprove the rumors and provide you with the answers on what you can and can’t eat. What exercises to avoid, which beauty products to throw away, and everything else.
This list of pregnancy can shed some light on what you should be concerned about and what you truly shouldn’t fret over:
Can I diet during pregnancy?
No! It’s not safe to go on a diet while you’re pregnant. Starve yourself and you starve your baby. It’s reasonable that you’re anxious about your weight, but dieting could be dangerous for you and your unborn baby. If you continue dieting you may miss out on giving your baby all the nutrients he/she requires to develop properly. Deprivation of nutrition in the womb can certainly affect the fetal metabolism. So it’s very essential to watch your calorie intake and to exercise during pregnancy.
But overdoing it to an extreme could potentially harm your baby. An increase of approximately 9 to 12kg or even a little more (or less if you are overweight) is normal. This is why most doctors don’t recommend weight loss during pregnancy unless you’re significantly overweight. Don’t be afraid of weight gain, your body is already working hard to support your growing baby. Discuss any questions or concerns you have with your doctor.
If you are asthmatic can you use an inhaler?
Yes, you can! Most asthma medicines are safe to use in pregnancy and if your asthma is well controlled, there’s little risk for you or your baby. Likewise, treating asthma lowers your chances of attacks and enables your lungs to work better. Short-acting bronchodilators rapidly relieve asthma symptoms by relaxing the airways.
You should continue to take your prescribed asthma treatments throughout pregnancy. If you relinquish asthma uncontrolled it can imply that your baby doesn’t get enough oxygen, which can result in low birth weight and apparent premature labour. Avoid triggers like dust, mould, smoke, and dust mites. Speak to your GP as soon as you can.
Can you use any shampoo or makeup?
Not exactly. A little number of chemicals can be soaked up through the scalp and there are chemicals in shampoos that are adequately avoided. You may not need to change your shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, gel, mousse, or blow-dry and curling-iron routine while you’re expecting unless you use prescription dandruff shampoo.
Other ingredients to watch out for in hair care products include parabens; rosemary; synthetic fragrances, which may contain phthalates; and a preservative called methylisothiazolinone. You can always go for Herbal Essences, BioRenew Honey, Quinoa & Jojoba, and many more.
For skincare products, it’s not necessary to change all of them. Most makeup products, such as powders, foundations, mascaras, eyeliners, etc. are safe to use during pregnancy, as long as you avoid those makeup products that contain retinoids or salicylic acid. Avoid make-up with parabens or fragrances. Also, make sure to throw away any expired make-up products. All you need to do is just be a little careful while using your routine products.
Can having sex hurt your baby?
It’s perfectly safe to have sex during pregnancy. Even sex is safe throughout all 9 months, including the first trimester. It’s healthy and won’t injure your baby. It’s just staying away from positions that require you to lie on your back for long periods. A penis or penetrative sex toy cannot penetrate beyond your vagina, so it won’t reach your baby. Your baby is protected by a fluid-filled bag known as an amniotic sac and the strong muscles of your uterus and the thick mucus plug seals your cervix and helps guard against infection.
All in all, your baby’s well sealed up and the baby cannot tell what’s going on. The only exception is if you’ve had heavy bleeding, your waters have broken, you’ve had problems with your cervix, are expecting twins, or had a previous history of preterm labor. Unless your healthcare provider has told you not to have sex, there’s no reason to avoid it.
Can you take antibiotics?
Yes, you can! Antibiotics are generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, the consumption should be according to the prescription. Your doctor shouldn’t prescribe anything to you that will be harmful to the baby, but you can always double-check with your gynaecologist. Some of the safer options are Penicillins, including amoxicillin, ampicillin.
Cephalosporins, including cefaclor, cephalexin. Erythromycin. While some antibiotics are learned to be teratogenic and should be avoided entirely during pregnancy. These include streptomycin and kanamycin and tetracycline. Take antibiotics alongside a good probiotic, which will ensure that the good bacteria that the antibiotic killed, are restored. All you need is to take care.
Can you take painkillers?
Generally, you should resist all painkillers during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. Paracetamol is the first selection of painkillers if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s been taken by many pregnant and breastfeeding women with no dangerous effects on the mother or baby. However, other painkillers, for instance, aspirin, are not acceptable for pregnant women.
Prolonged use of paracetamol and other painkillers during pregnancy may pose a health hazard to baby boys. The drugs raise the risk of undescended testicles in male babies, a condition linked to infertility and cancer in later life. Generally, up until 20 weeks gestation, ibuprofen, and naproxen are considered safe in pregnancy.
Have I hurt my baby if I have a small fall?
If you have a small fall do not startle. Visit your doctor and go for a quick check-in. In the first trimester, the uterus is well-protected by your pelvis and often shielded from trauma. Falling hard on your bottom is unlikely to injure the baby, though there is some chance of a placental abruption if there’s substantial immediate trauma to your abdomen in the second or third trimesters. You’re experiencing vaginal bleeding. You feel abdominal pain. However, if something feels different or wrong. Prevent falls by wearing low shoes with good soles and always hold onto railings when taking the stairs. If your baby’s movements change – call the doctor.
