From the day you found out you were pregnant, you've probably been bombarded with advice from family, relatives, and friends, right? You've probably heard things like "Don't eat junk food," "Don't do this," and "We used to do this in our time." You may be feeling a little scared, not knowing what's true and what's just myth. So today, let's talk about what you really need to be careful about during this pregnancy, in addition to the advice your doctor gives you, and what myths you need to dispel.
Should we be careful about food and drink during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, we have to think twice about what we eat and drink, because a portion of everything we eat also goes to the baby.
Is it okay to eat cheese and processed meats?
This is something to be careful of. It's best to avoid undercooked hotdogs, lunch meats, and cheeses made from unpasteurized milk .
Simply put, pasteurization is a process that kills harmful bacteria in milk. Cheese made from milk that has not undergone this process can contain a bacteria called Listeria . The disease caused by this, ``Listeriosis``, may cause symptoms similar to a cold, such as fever and body aches, to the mother, but can be very dangerous for the baby in the womb. It can cause miscarriages, premature births , and serious illnesses in the baby .
| Food type | Things to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Types of cheese to avoid | Soft cheeses, often imported or labeled "unpasteurized." Examples: Brie, Camembert, Feta, Blue cheese, Gorgonzola, Roquefort. |
| Safe cheese varieties | Cheeses made from "pasteurized milk". Examples: Cheddar, Mozzarella, Cream cheese, Cottage cheese. Most cheeses available in Sri Lankan supermarkets fall into this category. Read the label. |
| Seasoned meat | Avoid eating hotdogs, sausages, ham, and bacon until they are thoroughly heated and cooked . |
Is it okay to drink diet soda?
Most diet sodas are considered safe during pregnancy, given the amount of artificial sweeteners they contain. These include things like Aspartame and Sucralose. However, it's wise to avoid drinks containing saccharin altogether during this time.
What do you think about coffee and tea?
This is a problem that many mothers have. Although some studies suggest that drinking 3-4 cups of coffee a day does not have a significant effect, some doctors advise caution. There is also a belief that excessive caffeine intake can increase the risk of low birth weight babies .
The most important thing is to know the amount and use it . Stopping coffee suddenly can be mentally difficult for you. Therefore, limiting it to one cup per day is a good solution.
The same goes for herbal tea. Some herbs (e.g. peppermint, red raspberry leaf) can cause uterine contractions when taken in large amounts , increasing the risk of premature birth. So stay away from teas that contain unfamiliar ingredients. If you have any doubts about something, be sure to ask your doctor .
Things you need to know about eating fish
Fish is a very nutritious food. However, when choosing fish during pregnancy, we need to be careful about mercury. Eating fish with high levels of mercury can harm the baby's brain development.
| Type of fish | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Types of fish to avoid (high mercury levels) | |
| Large sea fish such as Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, Bigeye Tuna, and Orange Roughy. | |
| Safe to Eat Fish (Low Mercury Levels) | |
| 2-3 times a week | Small fish such as shrimp, salmon, canned light tuna, pollock, catfish, sardines, halibut, and herring. |
| Once a week (depending on the size) | Albacore "white" tuna has slightly higher mercury levels than regular canned fish, so limit it to one serving per week. |
Let's also think about lifestyle and the environment.
During this time, we need to think a little about our food and drink, as well as our daily habits and environment .
Alcohol and smoking
There is no need to think twice about this. Alcohol and smoking should be completely avoided during pregnancy . There is no safe amount of alcohol for a pregnant mother. Also, thousands of chemicals in cigarettes, including nicotine, cross the placenta and enter the baby's body directly. These directly affect premature birth, low birth weight babies, and many other complications .
Nail polish, hair coloring, and hair removal
- Artificial Nails: The strong smell of chemicals in nail salons can be uncomfortable for you during this time. A strong smell is not good for you or your baby.
- Hair Dye: There is no data to prove that hair dye harms the baby. Because the amount absorbed by the scalp is very small. However, the strong smell may be uncomfortable for you.
- Bikini Wax: Waxing is relatively safer than chemical hair removal creams.
Sleeping position
After 4 months of pregnancy, it is best to sleep on your left side . This reduces the pressure on the uterus and makes it easier for the baby to get nutrients. Don't be afraid to change positions when you wake up at night, just turn back to your left side. Sleeping on your side can put pressure on the vena cava, a major blood vessel, and interfere with blood flow.
Exercise and Hot Tubs
It is not good to overheat your body during pregnancy. So , avoid hot tubs and saunas completely . If you have not exercised before, do not start any new strenuous exercise during pregnancy. Walking is a very good and safe exercise for this period.
Cleaning up cat poop
This is something that many people ask about. Cats can transmit a disease called ``Toxoplasmosis.'' This can harm the fetus and cause birth defects .
- The best thing to do is to have someone else clean the cat's litter box .
- If you have to do it yourself, clean it every day , because Toxoplasma spores become infectious 1-5 days after defecation.
- Be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after finishing work.
- If you are working in the garden, use gloves as these germs may also be present in the soil.
Childbirth and myths
As the baby approaches, you hear all sorts of stories, don't you? Let's see if it's true or not.
- Will drinking castor oil help you conceive faster?
This is unacceptable. It tastes very bad, and it can cause severe diarrhea and make you uncomfortable.
- Will walking help you conceive faster?
Walking is good, but there is no scientific evidence that it speeds up labor.
- Does having sex speed up labor?
In some cases, this can happen. Prostaglandins in semen and uterine contractions during intercourse can cause labor to occur sooner. Some doctors recommend this.
- Are the rumors about the baby's gender true?
You may have heard stories like "If the belly is low, it's a boy", "If the belly is wide, it's a girl", "If the nose is big, it's a girl". These are just myths told for fun. There is a 50% chance that each of these is correct. The best way to know for sure is to have an `(Ultrasound)` scan .
Take-Home Message
- If you have the slightest doubt about something, it's best to ask your doctor (doctor) rather than searching the internet.
- Avoid unpasteurized cheese, undercooked meat, and fish high in mercury (such as shark and tilefish).
- Quit alcohol and smoking completely. There's no discussion about this.
- Avoid tasks like cleaning up cat poop as much as possible. If you must, follow safe methods.
- Instead of 'stopping completely' with things like coffee and tea, think about 'moderation' .
- Don't burden yourself with old myths and superstitions. Spend this beautiful time in a relaxed and happy manner.
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