Pregnancy is an exciting stage of life. You’re filled with excitement and the anticipation of meeting your newborn. Still, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Many people experience severe symptoms like morning sickness, and it can be difficult to know what’s best for your little bun in the oven. If you’re looking to guarantee the health of you and your baby, here are some things you might not have known to avoid.
Contents
1. Tylenol and Acetaminophen
Source: psmag.com
Tylenol and Acetaminophen are common over-the-counter drugs that are found in the majority of medicine cabinets across the United States. Because of their commonality, you might be surprised to hear that these drugs have the potential to affect your unborn baby. Some studies suggest that unborn children who were exposed to Tylenol or Acetaminophen while in the womb had a greater chance of developing autism than those who had not. You can learn more about the connection between Tylenol or Acetaminophen and autism if you click here.
2. Deli Meats
It might shock you to hear that deli meats are off-limits during pregnancy. That’s right, cold cuts should be completely cut out of your diet if you’re expecting. This is because deli meats may contain the bacteria listeria, which is a bacteria that can be deadly for your unborn baby. In addition to deli meats, you should cut out raw meats and fish like sushi or oysters. These meats can contain salmonella and toxoplasmosis, both of which pose more of a threat to pregnant people and can become potentially fatal for you and your baby.
3. Changing a Litter Box
Source: wonderfuldiy.com
We aren’t just trying to save you from your household chores! Changing a litter box can be really bad news for your unborn baby. Like raw meats, litter boxes have the possibility of containing toxoplasmosis. If you contract toxoplasmosis from your cat’s litter box and pass it to your unborn child, it could have serious health effects. Your baby could end up with eye damage, brain damage, intellectual diabetes, or could even be born blind. Toxoplasmosis also puts you at a higher risk for miscarriage. Scooping a litter box isn’t worth risking the health of your child. Ask someone else in your household if they can take over the chore until you’ve had your baby.
4. New Tattoos or Piercings
Tattoos and piercings are a great way to express yourself, but they are not a great idea for when you’re expecting. You might think maybe there’s a chemical in the ink that’s bad for your baby, but the danger lies in the healing process. Fresh tattoos and piercings always present a risk for infection, and pregnant people are much more susceptible to infections. Additionally, if you were to get a piercing and have it get infected, you would need antibiotics to fight the infection, but the majority of antibiotics can’t be taken while pregnant. To avoid this lose-lose situation, you should just hold off on getting that new tattoo until after your child is born.
5. Cosmetics
Source: hola.com
You don’t necessarily have to avoid all cosmetics while pregnant, just specific ingredients, so it’s important to pay close attention to the labels on your favorite products. The most important things to avoid are harsh acne-fighting chemicals like benzoyl peroxide, hydroxy acids, and salicylic acid. Doctors also recommend that you avoid products with retinol since studies have found links between taking retinol orally and fetal developmental issues. If you need to continue using skincare products and you’re struggling to find options that work with these restrictions, try consulting your doctor. They’ll be able to give you recommendations for products that won’t harm your baby.
6. Aromatherapy
You might think that using essential oils and aromatherapy would be a great way to relax and unwind while pregnant, but experts warn against it. It turns out that some essential oils are especially harmful to unborn babies. It is especially advised that you do not use essential oils orally while pregnant since the effects of the oils will be much more potent when taken this way.
7. Whitening Your Teeth
Source: pristinedental.com.sg
You might not have considered this as being a possibility for harming an unborn child since you aren’t ingesting anything or using topical chemicals. The truth is the harsh chemicals in teeth whitening kits, while believed to be harmless to adults in small doses, stand to pose a real threat to unborn babies. Because of this, most doctors recommend that you do not try whitening your teeth while pregnant.
8. Unprotected Sun Exposure
During pregnancy, it is essential to be cautious about sun exposure and take necessary steps to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. While moderate sun exposure can provide vitamin D, excessive exposure can lead to various risks for both you and your developing baby. Pregnancy hormones can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of developing dark patches known as melasma or “pregnancy mask.” Excessive sun exposure can worsen this condition, making it harder to fade even after delivery. Sunburn can cause significant damage to your skin, leading to pain, redness, peeling, and an increased risk of skin cancer. The heat from the sun can also trigger or worsen existing skin conditions like eczema or heat rash.
Final Thoughts
Source: hosbeg.com
Pregnancy is a special time that requires extra care and attention to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the growing baby. While it’s important to enjoy this phase of life, it’s equally crucial to be aware of potential risks and make informed choices. By avoiding certain things like Tylenol and Acetaminophen, deli meats, changing a litter box, new tattoos or piercings, cosmetics, aromatherapy, whitening your teeth, and unprotected sun exposure, you can minimize potential risks and promote a healthy pregnancy. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance regarding any concerns or questions you may have throughout your pregnancy journey. A little caution can go a long way in ensuring a safe and joyous pregnancy experience and a healthy baby.
