Pregnancy series: Things to avoid during pregnancy

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As much as possible, avoid ‘empty’ calories in the form of soft drinks, lollies, crisps and other items high in sugar or fat. Eating junk food during pregnancy may lead to too much weight gain without meeting your increased need for nutrients. It’s also best to avoid the artificial food additives and colouring found in many processed foods.

Pregnancy and preconception

Limit or eliminate your caffeine intake from coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate.
Large fish may be contaminated with methylmercury, a potent toxin which has the potential to damage the foetal nervous system, so you should avoid or limit your intake of swordfish, shark (flake), marlin, barramundi, orange roughy, ling and southern bluefin tuna. It is suggested that fish such as salmon, canned fish and smaller ocean fish are better options. The tuna oil in Blackmores Pregnancy & Breast-Feeding Gold is tested for mercury, pesticide residues, and heavy metals to ensure you can take it with confidence.
Don’t eat uncooked or undercooked meats, eggs or fish.
Avoid soft, unpasteurised cheese (for example, brie or camembert).
Stay away from toxic chemicals like pesticides and insecticides, industrial chemicals, solvents (like some cleaners or paint thinners), lead and mercury. Most dangerous household products will have pregnancy warnings on their labels.
Avoid hot tubs, very hot baths, saunas and x-rays.
If you have a cat, consider not handling the cat litter. It can transmit toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can cause birth defects. Wear gloves while gardening in areas where cats may visit.

Smoking, alcohol, drugs

By taking good care of yourself during pregnancy, you’re also nurturing the new life inside of you. It is important to avoid anything that may potentially harm your baby, which means eliminating cigarettes (including second-hand smoke), alcohol and recreational drugs. These can cause long-term damage to your baby.

Smoking during pregnancy is considered the most common cause of impaired foetal growth and low birth weight. It passes nicotine and other harmful chemicals to the foetus and reduces the baby’s oxygen and nutrient supply.

It is best not to drink alcohol while pregnant, as alcohol may cause damage and abnormalities of the face, heart, nervous and genitourinary systems, as well as retarding growth. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any medications or drugs, since some can be harmful to your baby’s development. Only take medicines prescribed or approved by your healthcare professional. You should never take illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, speed (amphetamines), barbiturates and others, as illicit drug use can seriously harm your baby.

Talk with your healthcare professional right away if you need help with quitting smoking, drinking or drugs. You can also get help by talking with a member of your faith community, a counsellor or a trusted friend.

Caffeine

Caffeine crosses the placenta and affects the baby’s heart and respiration, and large amounts can be harmful. Exposure to caffeine during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and low birth weight, and the more caffeine you consume, the greater the risk. Try to avoid caffeine, or at least limit your caffeine consumption to the equivalent of 2–3 cups of coffee, or 4 cups of tea. Try to avoid soft drinks, including cola drinks altogether. Consider a glass of milk or fruit juice as a healthier alternative to a caffeine drink.

Food cravings, aversions and pica

Food cravings and aversions are very common during pregnancy. Women often crave foods like chocolate, citrus fruits, pickles, crisps and ice cream. The most common aversions are to coffee, tea, fried or fatty foods, spicy foods, meat and eggs. Food cravings and aversions can affect your kilojoule intake and nutritional status. Avoid any foods which make you feel sick, and try not to over-indulge in any one food.

‘Pica’ refers to the compulsive eating of unusual or non-foods (laundry starch, soap, chalk, paint, cornstarch, baking soda, ice, clay, dirt). If you practice pica, you may be compromising your health and the health of your baby, and exposing yourself to other harmful contaminants. Pica could be a sign of low iron levels, so you should have this checked. If you have abnormal cravings, talk to your healthcare professional.