What are the cautions to be taken during pregnancy?

When you are pregnant, you do need to keep some things in mind. Following is a list of things that you need to avoid when pregnant.

Caffeine

Reports of effects of caffeine on the fetus have been conflicting. Some studies reveal that caffeine is harmful to the fetus and could lead to miscarriages, premature delivery as well as low birth weights. However, other studies deny any such connection. It is now widely believed that drinking small amounts of caffeine is all right - but excess of it should be avoided by pregnant women. So, how much is too much or how much is considered excess? As long as you are staying below the 300mg of caffeine a day mark, you should be fine. Different coffees contain different amounts of caffeine but remember not to drink more than two cups a day. Remember that tea, colas as well as other soft drinks, and chocolate, all contain some amount of caffeine. The caffeine content in chocolate is quite low so you don't need to worry about it, but do remember that it all definitely adds up. Some mothers prefer to play it safe and stay off caffeine during their entire pregnancy, but if you are not in a position to follow this, try and limit your intake as much as possible.

Food

Avoid eating foods like ginger, honey etc. Soak almonds overnight in water and eat them the next morning. Fish containing high levels of mercury must be avoided. Also, avoid eating uncooked cheese or unpasteurized milk as well as its products, as these often contain bacteria which could prove harmful to your unborn baby.

Saunas

Going in for a steam or sauna session or soaking in a hot tub might possibly seem like the perfect way to relax and pamper yourself during pregnancy, but this is not really a very good idea. Any activity which raises your body temperature must be avoided, especially during your first trimester. Sure, you can take a hot shower, but make sure that you get out of there as soon as possible. You certainly don't want hot streams of water pelting your belly for a very long period of time. Give yourself 10 minutes in a warm shower at the most.

Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs

Abstain from alcohol and cigarettes while you are pregnant. If you can't avoid drinking, red wine - in limits - is likely to be your safest bet. A few glasses of red wine in a week should be fine, but in general alcohol is best to stay away from. In addition, you must stay totally away from cigarettes as well - don't smoke even a single cigarette in pregnancy. If your husband or partner smokes, just ensure that he is smoking outdoors. Secondhand smoke can be just as dangerous for your baby. During your pregnancy, make sure that your husband is not smoking indoors at all, even if you are not around - since the stale smoke will lurk in the house for hours after smoking. Any time your husband wants to light up, he should make it a point to go outdoors or out into the balcony. Some husbands, who find this impractical, usually smoke in toilets which their wives don't use.

Drugs too must be completely avoided or should be kept under limits, incase it is not possible to totally avoid them. Speak to your doctor before taking any medication. Some OTC drugs like Disprin are generally thought to be safe but don't take anything without the permission of your doctor. Your doctor might be able to suggest alternate medication that would be less harmful to the fetus.