7 Things to Avoid When You're Trying to Get Pregnant:

7 Things to Avoid When You're Trying to Get Pregnant:

7 Things to Avoid When You're Trying to Get Pregnant:

If you’re trying to get pregnant, there are certain things you should be aware of and take into consideration to increase your chances of conception. Knowing how to get pregnant is the first step in taking control of your fertility. Here are 10 important things to avoid when you’re trying to get pregnant.

1) Don't smoke:

Smoking during pregnancy can cause serious health problems for both mother and baby. Women who smoke are more likely to have miscarriages, premature births, stillbirths, and infants with lower birth weights. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of your baby being born with birth defects and increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

It is important to quit smoking before becoming pregnant or as soon as you know that you are pregnant. Women who quit smoking before or during early pregnancy can reduce their risk of having a low-birth-weight baby. Quitting smoking can also help reduce the risk of pregnancy complications such as preterm labor and placenta previa. 

If you need help quitting, talk to your healthcare provider or contact a local support group. There are also medications that can help you quit smoking during #pregnancy and #maternity. 

In addition to quitting smoking before and during pregnancy, it is important to avoid secondhand smoke for #breastfeeding and #postpartum mothers. Secondhand smoke can be harmful to both the mother and her baby during #childbirth, #parenting, and beyond. Being around secondhand smoke can increase your baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory illnesses, ear infections, asthma, and other health problems. 

To ensure your baby's health, take steps to protect yourself and your baby from the dangers of smoking during #babyhood, #maternityleave, and beyond.

2) Don't drink alcohol:

When you're trying to get pregnant, it's important to be aware of the potential risks associated with drinking alcohol. Alcohol consumption has been linked to infertility in both men and women, and even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome and other developmental issues in your baby. Even after the baby is born, it is important to avoid drinking alcohol while breastfeeding or during postpartum recovery. 

Although there is no known safe amount of alcohol that you can consume during pregnancy, many health care providers advise avoiding all forms of alcohol throughout your #pregnancy, #maternity, #breastfeeding, and #postpartum journey. This is especially true for women who are planning on conceiving, as avoiding alcohol may improve fertility. The best way to ensure a healthy #childbirth and a healthy baby is to avoid alcohol altogether while trying to conceive and while pregnant. 

It is also important to remember that if you are trying to get pregnant, it’s best to avoid drinking any form of alcohol, even if you’re not currently pregnant. That’s because you never know when you might conceive, so it’s important to keep your body free from any toxins that could potentially harm your #baby before it’s even conceived. 

Being pregnant can be a beautiful and exciting experience, so make sure you take care of yourself and your baby by avoiding alcohol altogether during this time. Don’t forget that being a #momtobe is a huge responsibility, and one way to take care of your baby is to avoid drinking alcohol altogether. Enjoy your #pregnancycravings and don’t forget to take extra special care of your #babyboy or #babygirl – and that includes avoiding alcohol!

3) Don't use drugs:

Using drugs of any kind during pregnancy can be incredibly dangerous for you and your unborn baby. Drugs can affect the development of your baby’s organs, disrupt their hormone levels and cause numerous other health problems for your baby. Additionally, using drugs during pregnancy can increase your risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and other serious complications during labor and delivery.

Drugs can also pass through breastmilk to your baby if you choose to breastfeed, so it’s essential to remain completely abstinent from drugs throughout your pregnancy and postpartum period.

If you are struggling with addiction during your pregnancy or postpartum period, don’t hesitate to get help. Reach out to your doctor or a specialized addiction treatment center right away so that you can get the support and resources you need to have a healthy and happy pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting journey.

4) Don't eat unpasteurized cheese:

Unpasteurized cheese is a potential source of foodborne illnesses and should be avoided during pregnancy. The potential risks associated with consuming unpasteurized cheese include listeriosis, a type of food poisoning that can be life-threatening to both mother and baby. It is recommended that pregnant women should not consume any type of soft cheese made from unpasteurized milk, such as Brie, feta, Camembert, Roquefort, queso blanco, queso fresco, and blue-veined cheese. If you do choose to eat soft cheeses, make sure they are labeled as being made from pasteurized milk. Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan, are generally considered safe to eat during pregnancy if they are pasteurized.

5) Don't eat raw fish or shellfish:

7 Things to Avoid When You're Trying to Get Pregnant:

Raw fish and shellfish can be very dangerous for pregnant women and their developing babies. Eating raw fish and shellfish can cause serious foodborne illnesses such as listeriosis, salmonella, and toxoplasmosis, which can be extremely harmful to a baby during pregnancy. Additionally, some types of fish may contain high levels of mercury, which can also be damaging to the developing baby.

It's important to note that even cooked seafood should be eaten in moderation during pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association recommends that pregnant women limit their seafood intake to 12 ounces (340 grams) per week. Additionally, women should avoid certain types of seafood altogether, such as swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tilefish. These types of fish contain higher amounts of mercury, which can be very harmful to the baby. 

If you're pregnant and craving seafood, the safest way to eat it is to cook it thoroughly. Avoid eating raw fish or shellfish in all forms, including sushi, sashimi, oysters, clams, and mussels. Even if you find a restaurant that claims to have “sushi-grade” fish, you should avoid eating it because there are no legal standards for what qualifies as sushi grade. 

Remember, eating raw fish and shellfish during pregnancy can be very dangerous. Stick to cooked seafood, and avoid consuming more than 12 ounces per week to keep you and your baby safe.

6) Don't eat lunch meat:

Lunch meat, such as salami, ham, and pastrami, can contain listeria, a bacteria that can cause serious health problems for pregnant women. Listeria can be found in deli meats, as well as hot dogs, lunch meats, and some smoked seafood. Pregnant women are more likely to get listeriosis than non-pregnant people and it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn. 

If you're pregnant, it's best to avoid eating lunch meat. If you do eat it, make sure it's cooked until steaming hot throughout before eating. Always store lunch meat in the refrigerator and follow the expiration date on the packaging.

It's important to take extra care during your pregnancy to ensure a healthy baby and a successful delivery. In addition to avoiding lunch meat, be sure to get plenty of rest, eat a nutritious diet, and exercise regularly. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy or childbirth, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider or a maternal health professional.

7) Don't eat certain types of fruits and vegetables:       

                                                                        There are a few fruits and vegetables that should be avoided during pregnancy due to their potential to harm the developing fetus or cause health problems for the mother. These include:

1. Papaya: Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can cause contractions and lead to miscarriage.

2. Pineapple: Pineapple contains bromelain, which can soften the cervix and lead to early labor.

3. Unripe or undercooked tomatoes: Unripe or undercooked tomatoes contain solanine, which can be harmful to the developing fetus.

4. Raw sprouts: Raw sprouts, such as alfalfa, clover, and radish, can be contaminated with bacteria and can cause foodborne illness.

5. Raw or undercooked eggs: Raw or undercooked eggs can contain salmonella, which can be harmful to the developing fetus.

6. Raw or undercooked meat: Raw or undercooked meat can contain harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella.

7. Raw or undercooked fish: Raw or undercooked fish can contain high levels of mercury, which can harm the developing nervous system of the fetus.

It is important to consult with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to develop a balanced and safe diet during pregnancy.