12 Bad habits to avoid during pregnancy
12 Bad habits to avoid during pregnancy
It is important for every person to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to stay away from those bad habits that can have a bad effect on their health. But when you're pregnant it's not just only about your health it's also about your baby's health and his/her well being inside the womb.
Your bad habits can affect your baby's health. A mother's bad habits can lead to diseases such as growth issues and brain damages in babies. So, you have to keep it in mind that your bad habits can have a bad impact on your unborn baby. Here is the list of 12 bad habits which a pregnant woman should avoid :
1. Avoid Smoking during pregnancy
Smoking is also a bad habit that has to be avoided during pregnancy. Cigarette smoke contains nicotine, carbon monoxide, and many other harmful chemicals that can affect the development of the baby's lungs. Smoking can also cause various physical and mental health complications in the baby. Smoking can also lead to various pregnancy complications such as Vaginal Bleeding, Premature placental detachment, Premature labor and delivery, Ectopic Pregnancy. So, it's better that you don't smoke during your pregnancy period and also avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.2. Avoid consumption of Alcohol
As soon as you find out that you're pregnant stop consuming any kind of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol passes from your bloodstream through the placenta and umbilical cord to your baby which can harm your developing baby's brain and organs. It affects the baby's growth and development inside the womb as well as the baby's health at the time of birth. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy also increases the chances of miscarriage and premature delivery so avoiding wine, beer, and liquor during pregnancy will be beneficial for you and your baby. It's best to avoid alcohol consumption during pregnancy for the well-being of your unborn baby.3. Avoid eating Junk foods
You may have cravings for junk food during pregnancy but it's essential to stick to a healthy diet because whatever you eat has a direct influence on the health of your unborn baby. Junk food is unhealthy and doesn't contain any nutrients which are essential during pregnancy so they can have a negative impact on your baby's health. If you eat junk food that has a high level of sugar and fat it can cause you to have blood pressure issues, high sugar levels, and elevated cholesterol levels and it can have a negative impact on your unborn baby's health.4. Avoid excess caffeine intake
Consuming too much caffeine during pregnancy can be harmful to the mother as well as for the unborn baby. It works as a stimulant and diuretic which can increase your blood pressure and heart rate both of which are harmful during pregnancy.5. Self-medication
As many medicines may be unsafe during pregnancy and it can reach the fetus and can harm your unborn baby so it's always best to ask your doctor before you take any medications.6. Staying in a position for too long
Staying in the same position for too long, seated, or standing during pregnancy has to be avoided as it can cause many complications such as swollen ankles and feet. Try to take short breaks frequently to move around if you've been seated or put your legs up if you've been on your feet for too long.7. Physical inactivity
Regular exercises during pregnancy can help you to cope with the physical and mental demands of being pregnant. As long as you feel comfortable you can also continue your usual exercise habits while pregnant.8. Improper Hydration
Dehydration during pregnancy can lead to various pregnancy complications such as low amniotic fluid, neural tube defects, and even premature labor. Dehydration can also cause a lack of the vital nutrients which are essential for the health of the pregnant woman and her baby. So, to avoid such complications during pregnancy keep yourself hydrated and drinks a lot of water.9. Lack of sleep
Poor sleep has a critical impact on a pregnant woman which leads to maternal complications such as hypertension and gestational diabetes. During pregnancy, lack of sleep may lead to many complications such as Preeclampsia (A serious condition which affects your blood pressure and kidneys and can result in pre-term birth). So, be consistent with your sleep schedule and go to bed and wake up on time.10. Avoid Stress
Some stress and anxiety during pregnancy are normal but too much stress is harmful to your health. High-Stress levels are very bad for health. During pregnancy, stress exposure is associated with a higher risk of preterm delivery and lower birth weight. So, don't take too much stress during your pregnancy period. Yoga, meditation, and relaxation all can exist in managing stress. Do those things that you love to do.11. Skipping meals
Your unborn baby gets all the vital nutrients that are essential for his/her growth from the placenta and your bloodstream. A healthy and nutritious diet is essential for a baby's growth and development inside the womb so you have to take a healthy and consistent diet throughout your pregnancy. Don't skip meals during your pregnancy period.
(Also read: Never ignore these symptoms during pregnancy)
12. Avoid Hot water bath / Sauna bath
Relaxing in a hot bathtub for too long may be dangerous for your baby. Hot water bath and Sauna bath can also hamper your baby's neural tube development. And if the water or tub is not clean it can also lead to infections in the mother and her baby. So, it's better to avoid Hot water bath / Sauna bath during pregnancy.Consult your doctor before indulging in any activity and also understand the pros and cons. Do those things which are safe for you and your unborn baby and avoid such things that have a negative impact on you and your unborn baby. It's just a matter of 9 months. Once you delivered your baby you can slowly resume your activities. Here's wishing all the pregnant ladies a very happy and safe pregnancy.
Also, read other health-related articles :
- Blood test for pregnancy - Blood Group, Rh Factor, Cost, Accuracy, AFP and Multiple Marker Screening
Disclaimer: This content is intended for general information only and it should not be used as the basis of patient treatment. The given content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, treatment, or any diagnosis. Always consult a doctor for more information. Our website doesn't claim responsibility for this information.
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