Pregnancy is a crucial life-changing experience for the mother-to-be and her family members. A pregnant woman should practice self-care because neglect and carelessness during the pregnancy stages may cause harm in the health and well-being of both the mother and the unborn baby. To achieve a comfortable and efficient pregnancy experience, preventive measures should be practised diligently from the first week to the final stages. Here are some tips to practice to avoid pregnancy complications.

7 ways to avoid pregnancy complications

Here are the seven habits that a would-be mother should avoid so that they don’t lead to pregnancy complications. What to avoid is an important aspect of pregnancy tips. So, let’s find out what not to do during pregnancy.

1. Alcohol consumption

Consumption of alcohol is listed as the most common cause of physical and mental defects in a developing foetus. The most essential task for a mother during pregnancy is to be aware of what she should and should not consume during her pregnancy period. Keeping track of the consumption of substances during pregnancy is crucial because whatever the mother consumes, a certain percentage of the substances are consumed by the growing foetus as well. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy may lead to abnormalities in brain development, damage to the nervous system and miscarriage.

2. Nicotine consumption

A mother should be mindful of the substances she consumes during her pregnancy stages. A cigarette consists of nicotine and carbon monoxide which leads to adverse aftereffects such as prematurity, low birth weight, respiratory problems like asthma and infant death syndrome. Even passive smoking must be avoided to keep pregnancy complications at bay.

3. Caffeine intake

Expecting mothers should actively switch to decaffeinated or caffeine-free products because a high intake of caffeine results in the risk of miscarriage.

4. Keep recreational drugs away

Intake of recreational drugs prior to or during the pregnancy process may expose the unborn baby to poor growth, learning and behavioural problems and birth defects. Like stated earlier, the substances consumed by the mother are automatically transferred to the unborn baby’s system. Exposure to these recreational drugs may even cause the foetus to be addicted to these harmful substances themselves.

5. Food consumption

Maintaining a balanced healthy diet during pregnancy is essential for both the mother and the growing baby. There are a few things a pregnant woman should avoid during pregnancy Avoid raw and undercooked meat and fish, including sushi and shellfish. Avoid processed meat products, unpasteurised milk, cheese, raw eggs and products containing raw eggs, as well as intake of sugar-based products. High glucose can cause diabetes.

A healthy diet consisting of nutrients, especially iron, folic acid and calcium, is extremely crucial for the growth and development of the unborn baby. The dietary chart should have lean meat, fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread and low dairy products.

6. Avoid cleaning litter boxes

This may specifically apply to mothers and families who are cat owners. A parasite scientifically named Toxoplasma Gondii is found in cat faeces or cat litter resulting in Toxoplasmosis. A pregnant woman may have no symptoms when exposed to Toxoplasmosis. However, when exposed to the unborn baby, there may be adverse consequences such as prematurity, severe brain and eye damage or blindness.

7. Avoid using electric blankets

During the nine months of pregnancy, it is advised to avoid using electric blankets because it gives off electromagnetic fields at low levels that are harmful to the developing foetus.

Important pregnancy tips for every mother

During pregnancy, it is essential for expectant mothers to practise prenatal (before birth) along with postpartum (after birth) care. Prenatal and postpartum care ensures a safe and healthy delivery process. The key takeaway in the pregnancy process is to avoid these habits and stay as healthy as possible throughout the pregnancy stages. This includes being regular with the scheduled appointments and following the doctor’s instructions for the health and well-being of yourself and your little one.