Want to know what things to avoid in early pregnancy that could put you and your baby at risk? Here are all of the food, beverages and household activities to avoid during the first trimester of pregnancy.
The do’s and don’ts of pregnancy can be a little overwhelming as a first time mom. There is almost too much information out there to sift through, am I right?! So what are things to avoid in early pregnancy?
This post will break down everything you need to know including what pregnancy foods to avoid and household activities to avoid during pregnancy. Some of the items might even surprise you.
This post is all about things to avoid in early pregnancy.
Things To Avoid In Early Pregnancy
Pregnancy Foods To Avoid
Cravings are hard to avoid no matter who you are or what stage of life you’re in — but do you know which things to avoid in early pregnancy?
If you are feeling new worries and anxiety early on in your pregnancy, it’s TOTALLY normal and I’m here to take away a layer of stress when it comes to what not to eat.
It’s important to be aware of potentially harmful foods but there’s no need to freak out. Keep reading and I’ll break it all down. You might be surprised by a few foods on the list!
1. Alcohol
It’s recommended to avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy or if you might become pregnant. Alcohol has been known to cause miscarriage, stillbirth and a variety of other disabilities. Some doctors are supportive of a minimal amount in the first trimester but always check with your doctor before having any.
2. Caffeine
Caffeine doesn’t need to be completely avoided but the recommended amount of caffeine during pregnancy is 200mg. This is equal to about two cups of coffee and might be significantly less than what you consumed pre-pregnancy.
When you drink caffeine during pregnancy, it passes through the placenta to your baby. You may actually feel more sensitive to caffeine in pregnancy too and it’s surprisingly a drink most women end up avoiding during the first trimester. Some can’t stomach it while others can only tolerate a small amount only after they’ve eaten.
If you’re looking for alternative options with less caffeine, try drinking decaf coffee or tea. There are lots of options when it comes to tea and if you’re experiencing morning sickness, ginger tea may help you!
| FOOD/DRINK | AVERAGE AMOUNT OF CAFFEINE |
|---|---|
| Brewed Coffee (8oz) | 95 mg |
| Black Tea (8oz) | 47-90 mg |
| Green Tea (8oz) | 20-45 mg |
| White Tea (8oz) | 6-60 mg |
| Soda (12oz) | 30-50 mg |
| Dark Chocolate (1oz) | 12 mg |
| Milk Chocolate (1.55oz) | 9 mg |
3. High Mercury Fish
High mercury fish is another food to avoid during pregnancy. Mercury can accumulate in your bloodstream and too much can lead to damage of your baby’s developing brain and nervous system. Make sure you talk to your doctor if you have questions about whether or not a type of fish is safe to eat.
- Fish to Avoid: Swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tilefish, shark, tuna (bigeye), mahi mahi
- Safe Fish to Eat: Salmon, tilapia, shrimp, cod, catfish, scallops, trout (freshwater), tuna (canned light, white tuna, yellowfin), clams, crab, Atlantic mackerel, haddock, flounder
4. Raw Eggs / Raw Meat
Raw or undercooked eggs (don’t forget foods made with raw eggs such as mayonnaise) and raw meat should be avoided during pregnancy due to the risk of salmonella poisoning. Salmonella is a common bacterial infection that causes fever, stomach cramps, fever, chills, muscle pains and diarrhea.
Pregnant or not, the salmonella symptoms are the same but if the pregnant woman gets really sick, it can pass to the bloodstream and lead to sepsis or pass through the placenta to the baby. It’s rare but still a risk.
5. Raw Seafood and Sushi
Any kind of raw or undercooked seafood should be avoided during pregnancy because it can contain harmful bacteria. Eating these types of foods can put you and your baby at a higher risk for listeria, salmonella or food poisoning which can lead to miscarriage, premature labor or other complications.
6. Deli Meat
Deli meat is also on the list of foods to avoid while pregnant due to the risk of listeria bacteria. A listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, uterine infection and preterm delivery.
It’s safest to avoid deli meats altogether but some doctors are comfortable with the meat being heated until it is steaming. The belief is that the heat kills any bacteria. Check with your doctor before consuming any deli meat.
7. Unpasteurized / Soft Cheeses
As with deli meats, unpasteurized or soft cheeses such as brie, feta, blue cheese, Mexican queso and queso blanco should be avoided during pregnancy due to a risk of listeria.
Cheeses that are safe during pregnancy include hard cheese (cheddar) and semi-soft cheese (mozzarella). Cream cheese and cottage cheese are also safe to consume.
8. Pre-Prepared Foods
Pre-prepared foods like whole, cooked rotisserie chicken and turkey breasts, even when stored in a refrigerator case, should be avoided during pregnancy because listeria can survive in cold temperatures. Sandwiches fall into this category too. If the chicken was recently cooked and is under the warmer, you should be ok.
Household Activities To Avoid During Pregnancy
A stress-free pregnancy is achieved by balancing both work and rest. Neither extreme is good – all rest or all work – but a mix of the two typically leads to contentment with moms.
Just like with food, there are certain household things to avoid in early pregnancy and tasks that should be avoided.
It is important that you are aware of any limitations and always listen to your body. Anything that makes you tired or sick should be avoided or adequate rest should be scheduled in.
1. Moving furniture or lifting heavy objects
Lifting heavy objects like furniture or even a full laundry basket in the third trimester of pregnancy should be avoided. This can cause preterm labor symptoms, which you want to avoid at all costs.
2. Standing for too long
It might feel good and “normal” to be on you feet to cook and clean but make sure you rest too. Standing for too long can cause you to be extremely uncomfortable and achy later in the day or once you sit down. It can lead to back pain too with all of the extra weight you are carrying around.
3. Excessive bending
At a certain point in pregnancy, bending will not feel comfortable anyways and tying your shoes will feel impossible. But just like with standing for long periods of time, excessive bending is not recommended either. It is best to ask for help if you need something picked up to avoid falling or feeling dizzy when standing up.
4. Climbing or balancing
Your center of gravity shifts as you gain weight and you will be more prone to struggle with maintaining your balance. For that reason, it can be pretty dangerous for you to attempt something that requires climbing or balancing. Tasks such as reaching something on the top shelf or cleaning the ceiling fans should be delegated to someone else.
5. Using chemical cleaning products or pesticides
The poisonous fumes that are meant to kill bugs, ants and other pests can also harm you and your baby. You do not want to mess around with this so it is best that someone else takes on this job.
6. Emptying your cat’s litter box
Cat litter contains a parasite called Toxoplasma Gondi. Just like with undercooked meat, Toxoplasma Gondi can pose a risk to both you and your baby. It is best that your partner take over this duty while you are pregnant.
7. Sleeping on your back
Starting around 20 weeks pregnant, you should avoid sleeping on your baby. If you do, the weight of your uterus can compress the vena cava, a major blood vessel. This disrupts blood flow to your baby and can leave you feeling dizzy, nauseous and out of breath.
It is preferred for pregnant women to sleep on their side and use a pregnancy pillow to support their growing belly.
8. Strenuous abdominal exercises
During pregnancy, it is preferred that you avoid any exercise that requires twisting or crunching of the torso. This includes crunches and Russian twists among many others.
Your abs are already separating as your belly grows and performing these abdominal exercises can lead to further ab separation, hernias or diastasis recti.
If you are looking for a prenatal fitness plan, I highly recommend this one.
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