Things to Avoid in Early Pregnancy
As pregnant women, we all want what is best for our growing baby, but sometimes, it can be hard to know what is safe and what isn’t.
For example, is it okay to have that extra cup of coffee in the morning? How about sushi from my favourite sushi bar downtown?
This article will help you to determine what certain foods and activities should be avoided during pregnancy, so you can make the best choices to help you have a happy and healthy pregnancy.
In this article:
- Food – What to Avoid During the First Trimester
- What Not to Do In the First Trimester
Food – What to Avoid During the First Trimester
There are several things to avoid in early pregnancy. The first thing we are going to look at is food you should avoid in early pregnancy (and beyond).
Below are foods you should avoid in early pregnancy.
Avoid Processed Meats
Processed meats, such as hotdogs, salami and chorizo are considered unsafe for unborn children, due to the risk of listeria contamination.
Listeria can cause symptoms for you, such as:
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Muscle Aches
- Stiff Neck
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
Listeria is unlikely to cause any serious health problems for you, as the unborn baby’s mother, but it can have some serious consequences for the baby, such as:
- Stillbirth
- Miscarriage
- Little-to-no interest in feeding
- Difficulty Breathing
- Vomiting
- Fever
If you believe you or your baby have contracted listeria, or if a food item you have consumed a food item that has been recalled due to a listeria outbreak and you are showing symptoms, you should contact your doctor.
Avoid Unpasteurized Dairy Products and Juices
Similar to processed meats, unpasteurized dairy products (such as soft cheeses) and unpasteurized juices may also contain listeria, which is very harmful to your growing baby.
Examples of unpasteurized dairy products include:
- Soft cheeses such as Brie, feta and goat cheese
- Some kinds of milk
Examples of unpasteurized juices include:
- Fresh juice
- Raw juices
- Cold-pressed juices
This means that unpasteurized dairy products are one of the things to avoid in early pregnancy (and beyond).
To find out more about what drinks are safe during pregnancy, you can read our article drinks for pregnant women.
Avoid Seafood
Seafood can be a great source of protein, iron and zinc- which are crucial nutrients which will aid in your baby’s development.
However, certain types of seafood, such as mackerel, shark and tilefish have a very high mercury content.
High mercury content is not a cause for concern in most adults, however, if you are pregnant, these foods should be avoided.
Too much mercury can damage your baby’s developing brain and nervous system.
You should eat no more than 340 grams of seafood that is low in mercury content each week, to avoid any effects on the baby.
In summary, one of the things to avoid in early pregnacy is seafood with a high mercury content.
Avoid Raw Sprouts
Raw sprouts, such as soy beans, mung beans, kamut, broccoli or alfalfa can cause food poisoning, E. coli and Salmonella.
It is best to avoid eating them during pregnancy, to avoid any negative effects on your developing baby.
Avoid Raw Eggs and Raw Meat
During pregnancy, you should not eat raw eggs or meat.
Raw or undercooked meat (or raw eggs) consumption during pregnancy puts you at risk of contracting listeriosis or toxoplasmosis- two serious infections that can lead to life-threatening illnesses, birth defects and miscarriage.
It is important to ensure that your food is thoroughly cooked to prevent these infections- and that raw meat consumption should be avoided (yes, this includes sushi).
For more information on the safe preparation of meat, you can check out this food safety guide provided by safefood:
https://www.safefood.net/food-safety/check-meat-cooked
Some people also say that cinnamon can cause miscarriages. You can read our article Can cinnamon cause a miscarriage? to find out more.
What Not to Do In the First Trimester
Next, let’s take a look at the activities to avoid in early pregnancy (and beyond), to maximise your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Smoke Tobacco and E-cigarettes
You should not smoke at any point in your pregnancy.
If you have recently found out that you are pregnant, you should discuss ways to quit smoking with your doctor or midwife.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the chance of birth defects in your baby.
Smoking E-cigarettes is also considered unsafe, as the nicotine can damage your developing baby’s brain and lungs, as well as cause low birth weight and premature birth.
Drink Alcohol
Drinking alcohol is unsafe throughout the entirety of your pregnancy, no matter the amount.
Drinking alcohol during the first trimester can cause various pregnancy complications, including:
- Birth Defects
- Miscarriage or Stillbirth
- Behavioral and Intellectual Disabilities (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or FASD)
Have too much Caffeine
Many of us need a cup of coffee to get us through the day- and that often feels even more true during pregnancy as it zaps our energy away- especially with symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue clinging to us daily.
However, too much caffeine intake daily puts you at an increased risk of fetal growth restriction, meaning that your baby is more likely to have a lower birth weight or even miscarriage.
Whilst pregnant, you should limit yourself to around 200mg daily- which equates to around 2 cups of coffee.
In summary, one of the things to avoid in early pregnancy (and throughout) is too much caffeine (your heart will thank you too!)
As well as caffeinated drinks such as coffee, you should note that there are some teas that cause miscarriage during pregnancy and should be avoided, such as sage tea and parsley tea.
Gain Lots of Weight
It is a common idea that you must “eat for two” during the first trimester, however, this is not true.
During the second and third trimesters, however, your calorie intake requirements do increase.
Women who gain too much weight during pregnancy actually increase the risk of their child becoming obese later in life.
Having a balanced diet of healthy food, containing essential vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid, vitamin A and more will help you to have more energy, and your baby to remain healthy, as well as help you to avoid any unnecessary weight gain.
If you are not already, you should take folic acid tablets and prenatal vitamins up until your 12th week of pregnancy. Taking folic acid supplements and prenatal vitamins until the end of your first trimester can help you to prevent neural tube defects, including spina bifida.
Go to Steam Rooms, Saunas, Whirlpools and Hot Tubs
During pregnancy, your body temperature is slightly raised.
Due to this, you are at a higher risk of overheating, dehydration and fainting when using a sauna, whirlpool, hot tub or even when you have a hot bath.
In addition to this, a sudden rise in your core temperature could affect your baby’s development- particularly during the first trimester.
Some studies have even shown that your risk of miscarriage may double if you were to use a sauna, whirlpool, steam room, hot tub or very hot bath during pregnancy.
Have a Massage or Acupuncture
Massage and acupuncture therapies are generally considered to be safe during pregnancy- however, it is unsafe to massage a pregnant woman’s abdomen during the first trimester.
Additionally, certain acupuncture points should be avoided during pregnancy, so it is important that the acupuncturist is trained in working with pregnant women.
Use Certain Cleaning Products
Certain cleaning products can be harmful to you during pregnancy, so it is important that you make sure there are no safety warnings for pregnant women on the labels.
It is important to use all cleaning products safely, following the safety instructions on the label carefully- including instructions such as:
- Make sure the room is well-ventilated
- Do not mix chemicals
- Wash your hands after use
- Wear gloves to avoid skin irritation
Some cleaning products, such as moth balls and toilet fresheners, contain naphthalene, exposure to which can cause damage to blood cells, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Newborn babies are more at risk of these symptoms if they are exposed to naphthalene.
Certain nail products also contain harmful chemicals. To find out more about this, you can check out our article can you get your nails done while pregnant??
Clean the Cat’s Litter Tray
Toxoplasmosis is an infection that is commonly found in most birds and mammals (including humans!). Toxoplasmosis can cause serious issues during pregnancy.
A parasite called Toxoplasma gondii can be found in cat poop- or cat litter that contains cat poop.
Coming into contact with the cat poop whilst cleaning the cat’s litter box puts you at risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.
Thankfully, the chance of becoming infected with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is very small, but it is still best if cleaning the cat’s litter box is something you avoid during pregnancy.
If toxoplasmosis is contracted during early pregnancy, it can cause issues such as:
- Miscarriage or stillbirth
- Defects or problems after the baby is born
Use Certain Medications
We know that when you are pregnant, there are severral activities and foods which are considered unsafe.
Did you know that certain medications are considered unsafe during pregnancy?
This can include medications for cold and flus, such as NyQuil. You can read more about it here: Can you take NyQuil while pregnant?
Forms of back pain relief, such as icy hot: Can you use icy hot whilst pregnant?
And other medications too, like some antidepressants.
To ensure that your medication is safe to take whilst pregnancy, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Use Fake Tans
Fake tans contain an active ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA)- which is what reacts with the cells in the outer layer of your skin and makes your skin become browner.
This active ingredient, if inhaled, may be harmful to the baby, although there are no conclusive studies that confirm this.
Due to the potential risk, it is advised to use fake tan creams and lotions, as opposed to sprays which may be inhaled.
Have an X-ray
If it is possible, you should try to avoid having any X-rays whilst you are pregnant.
The risk of your unborn baby being exposed to the X-ray radiation is very low, although if your baby is exposed, there is a slight risk of childhood cancer, defects at birth, physical development problems and mental development problems.
Your healthcare professional will determine whether the X-ray can wait until after you have had your baby, or if it is possible to use another form of imaging instead, such as an ultrasound scan.
Did you enjoy this article? Why not check out our other article: Can cats sense pregnancy?
My name is Louise and I am the Digital Marketing and Administrative Assistant at MyBump2Baby. I have been writing in the parenting niche for over 2 years specialising in fertility, pregnancy, baby and baby name support articles.