What’s Safe to Do During Pregnancy (And What’s Not)
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Once you are pregnant, it goes without saying that you’ll receive numerous amount of unsolicited advice. Some are based on solid medical grounds, like those coming from your OB/GYN, while others may be based out of personal experiences and common knowledge. Here we bring you a guide to some of the stuff which may, or may not, be safe during pregnancy:
1. Sugar Substitutes
Sugar substitutes like aspartame or sucralose are generally believed to help in weight loss. So, you can continue to indulge in your sweet cravings without any additional calories, unlike sugar. However, some recent studies have associated them with weight gain, obesity, and potentially risky diseases (1). Therefore, we suggest, you proceed with precaution while using artificial sweeteners.
2. Physical Activity Tracker
If you are a physical fitness freak who tends to wear an activity tracker on the knee/leg, then we’d like to suggest that you need to give it a second thought. While the good old mechanical pedometers are fine, use of devices which run via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is still under the scanner because they emit radiations. The long-term effects of these radiations during pregnancy are hitherto unknown. So, better be safe than sorry; avoid if you can.
3. Canned Fish (Tuna)
While Tuna does contain a certain amount of mercury, which is considered unsafe for a fetus, a small helping of about 6 ounces may not be harmful at all. However, in light of the potential neurological harm that mercury can cause, we suggest you go slow, or totally avoid canned tuna until you’ve delivered.
4. Fun Rides At Amusement Park
You may want to believe that your little baby is quite safe in his/her ‘water cushion’. So, what harm can a simple fun ride do? But the fact is, the sudden movement of fun rides could result in a condition called placental abruption, where the placenta is prematurely separated from the uterine wall. This could also result in a miscarriage. So a fun ride is a complete No-No!
5. Teeth-Whitening Dental Products
You may want sparkling white teeth to go with your pregnancy glow. But the chemicals used in the products are known to corrode tissue cells. And, there are no studies yet to tell their effects on an unborn fetus. Therefore, give this treatment a miss for now.
6. Waxing Down Under
If you wish to stay clean ‘down there’, waxing definitely gets a green signal. However, since there is more blood flow during pregnancy to your skin, it tends to become sensitive, especially to pain and tugging. Applying witch hazel before and after waxing helps in reducing the pain. And yes, Brazilian waxes get a thumbs up too!
7. Tattoos Or Ear-Piercing
Every time you subject yourself to needle piercing for recreational purposes, like a tattoo or ear piercing, you expose yourself to potential infections like HIV or hepatitis B or C. Also, the effects of skin dye on a fetus are yet unknown. So give this procedure a total miss!
8. Smartphone Usage
Despite growing concerns, there is no scientific evidence to suggest any harmful effects of smartphone usage. Most, if any, stem from bad postures while using smartphones. So, maintain a healthy distance of 6 to 12 inches from your tummy, avoid Bluetooth earphones, and keep a tab on the amount of time you stare at the screen. Apart from these, smartphones seem to be totally safe for now.
9. Stepping Out In Heels
If it is your first trimester and you can manage them, then even stilettos are good to go. However, once you enter your third trimester, the resultant swelling in your feet may make it difficult for you to walk around in normal footwear, let alone high heels. So, to prevent yourself from toppling, stack your heels away for a while, until you have delivered your baby.
10. Electronic Cigarettes
Despite fancy claims, it is still a fact that electronic cigarettes do contain nicotine. Nicotine is known to cause birth defects and also puts you at a high risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Not to forget the health hazard that it is to you. So, just don’t do it!
There may be many dos and don’ts during pregnancy. However, like always, it is prudent to consult your doctor before you choose to follow, or not, any such advice.
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