It's normal for you to have a little fear in your mind about one thing or another as you look forward to becoming a mother . 'Is it okay to eat that food?', 'Will taking this medicine affect the baby?', 'Do I need to be careful if I spray insecticide on my house?' You probably have questions like this in your mind. When you hear stories from everywhere, it's hard to know what's true and what's a lie. So let's talk about this in detail today, to dispel your fears and doubts.
Most of the time, there's nothing to be afraid of from what we hear. However, there are some things we really need to be careful about during pregnancy. Let's see what these things are and how we can protect ourselves.
What are things that can harm the baby (Teratogens)?
Simply put, in medicine, we call substances or infections that can cause birth defects in a baby in the womb 'teratogens'. But exposure to something like this does not necessarily mean that the baby will be harmed. There are several factors that affect this. For example, how long, how much exposure there was, and at what stage of pregnancy it was exposed are important.
In the two tables below, let's see which medications, chemicals , and infections have been scientifically proven to cause birth defects in a child.
| Drugs and chemicals that may be risky during pregnancy | |
|---|---|
| Material | Notable points |
| Alcohol | It can severely damage a child's development and brain. |
| Some high blood pressure medications | Eg: ACE inhibitors (Enalapril), Coumarin derivatives (Warfarin). |
| Some epilepsy medications | For example: Carbamazepine, Valproic acid, Phenytoin. |
| High doses of vitamin A and its compounds | Medications like Isotretinoin (Accutane) for acne are very dangerous . |
| Some antibiotics | Ex: Tetracycline, Streptomycin. |
| Drugs | Drugs like cocaine. |
| Lead, Mercury | Heavy metals that can be absorbed from the environment. |
| Infections that can be risky during pregnancy | |
|---|---|
| Cytomegalovirus | A common virus that often does not show symptoms. |
| Rubella | Also known as German measles, this can be prevented with the MMR vaccine. |
| Syphilis | A sexually transmitted infection. |
| Toxoplasmosis | It can be transmitted through undercooked meat and cat feces. |
| Chickenpox (Varicella) | The risk is higher if it occurs early in pregnancy. |
A special warning about an acne medicine
You may have heard of the drug `Thalidomide`. It was given to pregnant mothers decades ago and caused severe birth defects in their children. But an even more dangerous and risky drug is ` Isotretinoin` , a drug used to treat severe cystic acne. It is better known by the brand name `Accutane`.
If this drug is taken during pregnancy, there is a very high risk of 30% - 35% of severe birth defects in the baby. This can cause serious, even life-threatening damage to the baby's major organs, such as the heart, ears, and brain.
Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, do not use this medicine for any reason. If you are using this medicine, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.
Things to consider about diet
We need to be a little careful about the food we eat during pregnancy . In particular, avoiding certain things is very important for the safety of the baby.
Keep these things in mind when eating fish
Some large marine fish may contain high levels of mercury, a heavy metal. This can adversely affect a child's brain development. Therefore,
- Fish that are not good to eat: Avoid eating large fish like shark, swordfish, and king mackerel.
- You can eat it about twice a week: It is good to eat small fish such as shrimp, salmon, mackerel, herring, and sprat. These contain nutrients such as ` omega -3 ` that the baby needs.
- Canned fish: Light tuna is a good choice.
More facts about food safety
Also pay attention to the points in the table below. These will help protect you and your baby from bacterial infections.
| Fact | What to do |
|---|---|
| Things to eat raw | Avoid raw sprouts, unpasteurized milk, cheese, and fruit juices. |
| Meat, fish, eggs | Don't eat anything undercooked or raw. Eat eggs well-boiled or cooked. |
| Prepared meat | Do not eat deli meats such as sausages, meatballs, and ham unless they are thoroughly heated. |
| Cleanliness | Wash your hands thoroughly before and after preparing food. Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly. Do not store raw meat and cooked food together. |
The 'Gray Area' where the risk is unclear
There are some things that we can't say for sure will harm a pregnant mother or her baby. The reason for this is that it is unethical to conduct research on pregnant women. Therefore, there is limited information about these things.
Aspirin and painkillers
Painkillers such as aspirin and NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen) are not recommended during pregnancy. They can increase the risk of bleeding. If you need to take medicine for a fever or headache, ask your doctor and take paracetamol.
Caffeine
Many people are concerned about the caffeine in tea and coffee, but studies show that drinking a moderate amount of tea or coffee, such as one or two cups of tea or coffee a day, poses no significant risk.
Household chemicals
Regular use of things like nail polish, white-out, and permanent markers is not likely to cause any harm. Also, when spraying pesticides in your home, it is enough to stay away from the area and ensure good ventilation. However, if you work in agriculture or a factory and are exposed to chemicals, it is important to inform your doctor about this.
The most important thing is, if you have any doubts or fears about anything, never be afraid to ask your doctor about it. That is much more valuable than believing what people say.
Get the Flu Shot
Pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from influenza. Therefore, it is very safe and recommended to get the influenza vaccine at any time during pregnancy. This protects you and your unborn baby. It is also important to make sure that you are up to date with your other vaccinations (e.g. MMR for Rubella) before you get pregnant.
Take-Home Message
- Be extra careful with any medications or chemicals during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester .
- Inform your doctor about all medications you are taking (prescribed, over-the-counter, vitamins, Ayurvedic, or local remedies).
- If you're planning to get pregnant, it's best to see a doctor beforehand and talk about your medications and lifestyle.
- Never stop taking any medication prescribed by a doctor without consulting him. Especially medications for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental illness.
- If you are in doubt about a substance or food, seek medical advice immediately. If necessary, you can also contact the National Poison Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
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