Activities to Avoid During Pregnancy

There are a lot of misconceptions about what is safe while pregnant, especially during the first trimester. Just a few decades ago it was recommended for pregnant women to stop any type of physical activity from the beginning of the pregnancy. The perfect excuse to get out of housework and prop your feet up huh? Not anymore. On average, physical activity need not be limited severely unless the pregnancy is high risk. In fact, health care providers recommend staying as active as possible during pregnancy without over exertion, slowly eliminating physical activity later in pregnancy based on physical discomfort. There are however some activities that can be detrimental to the health of the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy and health care providers would recommend eliminating them through pregnancy.

The most obvious activities that should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy include lifestyle activities. Alcohol, tobacco products and other drugs should be avoided at all costs during pregnancy. Health care providers recommend eliminating these activities from your lifestyle the moment you find out you are pregnant. Alcohol, while not detrimental in the occasional glass of wine, is linked to serious birth defects if used regularly during the first trimester of pregnancy. Tobacco has not only been linked to low birth weight but is also considered a detrimental agent to introduce into the body during the crucial developmental stages of the fetus, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Studies have linked the use of tobacco during the first trimester to instances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), higher rates of asthma and other repertory conditions in newborns and in some studies, heart defects. Street drugs such as cocaine, marijuana and others can cause serious risk to the health of the fetus. They interfere with the development of major organs and the nervous system crucial to the first stages of development in the fetus during the first trimester. They can cause birth defects, mental and physical disabilities and even the death of the fetus. Certain prescribed medications should also be avoided during the first trimester. If you take medications for other health conditions, they should be discussed with your prenatal caregiver before continuing to take them during pregnancy.

Other lifestyle changes that are recommended during pregnancy are to limit intake of caffeine by avoiding items such as coffee,tea and chocolate because caffeine affects iron absorption, an essential nutrient during the first trimester. The deprivation of iron during the first trimester can lead to birth defects and anemia in the mother.

Certain foods are also recommended to be avoided during the first trimester such as mackerel due to its high mercury content. Foods that could pose a risk of food poisoning or contamination should also be avoided during the first trimester. Foods such as raw meats, non pasteurized dairy foods, raw eggs, raw shellfish or seafood and deli meats hold the risk of containing Listeria, a bacteria that can cause miscarriage or still born birth. Also make sure to wash all raw vegetables thoroughly to avoid any risk of contamination of food borne viruses and bacteria. Pregnant women should avoid eating junk food frequently since it is not healthy and will fill you up, making it less likely you will eat a well balanced meal.

Dieting for weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy unless the patient is already on a diet program for obesity. Pregnant women should attempt to establish and maintain a healthy eating diet throughout pregnancy. Fad or trend diets and low calorie/carb dieting should be avoided and can cause the fetus to be undernourished. During the first trimester of pregnancy nourishment is of the utmost importance to ensure the fetus is healthy and help eliminate birth defects. Dietary issues should be brought to the healthcare provider's attention as they can give the best advice on what foods to eat to remain healthy during the pregnancy without overeating.

Normal physical activity is perfectly fine during the first trimester of pregnancy and health care providers encourage active mothers to continue their physical activity within reasonable restrictions. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women try to exercise at least a half hour a day. The benefits cited from regular daily exercise for pregnant women include lower rates of SIDs infants, lower rates of heart defects in newborns, and lower instances of gestational diabetes among pregnant women as well as lowering the risk of premature birth. Exercise during pregnancy also helps strengthen the body and build up muscle tone for labor.

It is commonly recommended that you should not start a new physical exercise routine during the first trimester of pregnancy. This is because overheating the body can affect the development of the neural tube which in a newly developing fetus can cause defects in the brain, circulatory system and neurological system of the fetus. Other activities that should be avoided during the first trimester include using a sauna, hot tub or sauna because of the risk of overheating to the fetus, and extended periods of outside activity in the heat. If the internal temperature of the womb gets too high, the fetus has no way to cool down.

While regular exercise is good, some physical activities should be avoided, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Any type of activity that would put you at risk for physical harm should be avoided. Horseback riding, skiing, competitive biking and things like kayaking, and extreme sports are all an automatic no no when you are pregnant. Even during the first trimester, the risk to the fetus is too extreme to chance continuing these risky sports. Any sport that has the potential to cause harm to the abdomen area is to be avoided. Kickball, basketball, hockey, football, soccer, kick boxing, mountain climbing etc. are all considered too dangerous to participate in during pregnancy. Other activities to avoid include snowboarding, sledding, surfing and body boarding. Any harm to the abdomen and stomach area could cause a miscarriage even during the earliest stages of pregnancy. According to the March of Dimes, scuba diving should be absolutely prohibited during any stage of pregnancy as it can cause gas bubbles in the fetus's circulatory system. Any activity that poses a hazard of rough physical contact, a danger of falling or bouncing should be avoided.

Pets and other domestic animals pose a health risk when pregnant as well. Pregnant women should avoid any contact with animal feces or urine especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Cats and other animals can carry bacteria called toxoplasmosis which is linked to still births, ectopic pregnancies and birth defects. This bacteria can be absorbed by the skin and enter the bloodstream having a dangerous impact on a developing fetus. Contact with reptiles such as lizards, turtles, snakes and iguanas should be avoided during pregnancy because they can carry salmonella bacteria on their skin and it is present in their feces.

Studies show using electric blankets can be dangerous during the first trimester of pregnancy. Electric blankets use an electro magnetic technology the use of which or exposure to can result in cell damage to the fetus. This holds true for the use of microwave ovens which is why it is so highly recommended that pregnant women not stand in front of one while it is in use especially if the oven may be damaged. Heated water beds also pose this risk. Pregnant women should avoid the use of X-rays. Over exposure to x-ray technology during the first trimester of pregnancy can cause birth defects and even miscarriage. If you have a medical need for an x-ray to be performed during pregnancy always make sure the technician knows you are pregnant so they can provide a lead shield for the abdomen area limiting the xray exposure to the necessary areas.

Activities which involve high altitudes should be avoided during the pregnancy. Mountain climbing, rock climbing, hot air balloon riding, skydiving etc. are all activities that pregnant women should not participate in. High altitudes change the oxygen level in the blood and can trigger premature labor. In the first trimester of pregnancy exposure to high altitudes could result in miscarriage. Riding in an airplane should not pose a serious risk since the interior cabins are pressurized but anything like hang gliding or free base jumping should be avoided.

While we all love the fair, most of the rides at fairs and amusement parks should be avoided during pregnancy. Even during the first trimester, the risk of damage to the uterus due to sudden stops and starts can cause jarring to the uterus and pose the risk of miscarriage. Ferris wheels, roller coaster, gravitation rides and water slides are especially dangerous during pregnancy. Other activities that include jarring or side to side motions such as racket ball sports like tennis or badminton should also be avoided.

Pregnant women need to take precautions when working. Anything that requires heavy lifting or repetitive strenuous activity like raising the arms over the head or bending over often should be avoided due to straining of the abdomen muscles. During the first trimester of pregnancy straining the abdomen or pelvic area muscles can result in damage to the placenta, uterine wall and pose a threat of miscarriage. Other thing to be concerned about in the work place during the first trimester includes environments that involve exposure to chemicals, x-rays or toxins. Pregnant women should not work around anywhere that they could breathe in toxic chemicals, be exposed to toxic chemicals through the skin or be exposed to x-rays. During the first trimester exposure to chemicals, toxins or x-rays can result in fetal damage, birth defects and the death of the fetus.

Women that work in the health care or child care industries must be extra cautious during the first trimester. Pregnant women should avoid contact with anyone who may have communicable diseases during the first trimester since many diseases can cause serious problems to the immature fetus such as birth defects and neurological problems. Exposure to diseases like rubella, chicken pox, small pox, mersa or other highly communicable diseases can cause irreparable damage to the fetus including blindness, deafness and heart defects during the first trimester and even miscarriage. Women who are pregnant should not work with anyone that has autoimmune diseases because of the risk of exposure of communicable diseases that are prevalent in patients with autoimmune diseases and disorders to the fetus.

Immunizations which involve the use of live viruses should also be avoided during the first trimester especially. Some immunizations may be required for travel and should be avoided during pregnancy. It is recommended that pregnant women avoid traveling to developing nations because of the risk of diseases such as typhoid and malaria. Some immunizations can be given safely after the first trimester but these should be thoroughly discussed with your health care provider before making any plans to travel. Pregnant women should not use over the counter medications without consulting their prenatal health care provider. Many of the medications used to treat travelers symptoms are unsafe to take while pregnant and should be avoided.

Other activities that can be detrimental to the fetus during the first trimester include:

Exposure to pesticides and fertilizers

Exposure to paint, paint thinners, paint fumes and industrial cleaning products

Drinking possibly contaminated tap water

Taking artificial vitamin supplements without a doctors advice

Activities in areas that can lead to tick bites such as hiking in high grass or wooded areas should be avoided. (Tick bites run the risk of contracting lime disease which can cause birth defects, still birth and miscarriage)

Standing or sitting for long periods of time if it causes discomfort

Using hair dyes and cosmetics with toxic fumes

Wearing tight or constraining clothing that could cut off blood flow

Spending prolonged times in salons or other beauty service shops where breathing in toxic fumes could pose a risk to the fetus.

Frequent exposure to loud decibel noise such as from rock concerts or nightclubs should be avoided. This is because of the risk to the development of the auditory system as well as the stress induced hormones that loud noises create in the body

Unnecessary or cosmetic surgery should be delayed until after delivery