• Smoking and Passive Smoking Smoking would be harmful to the baby. Smoking is such a well-known hazard yet hundreds of thousands of pregnant women still smoke. Pregnant women can also be affected by secondhand smoke from smokers. Spontaneous abortion, pre-term births, low-weight full-term babies, and fetal and infant deaths can happen as a result of exposure to so please take care.
• Alcohol Alcohol has a variety of negative effects on your developing baby depending on the dose and frequency. It is best to avoid it completely but definitely restrict it and think of the baby
• Drugs Drugs such as heroin, marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy result in low birth weight, central nervous system damage that may delay or impair neuro-behavioural development, mild to severe withdrawal effects, and physical malformations such as cleft palate, heart murmurs, eye defects.
• Prescription Drugs or Over the Counter drugs, Including Aspirin, can be dangerous Be very cautious about taking any over the counter drugs when you are pregnant. Always discuss any drugs with your doctor... They usually recommend not taking any drugs during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy when the heart, lung, and brain are being formed.
• You Should Avoid Hot Dogs, raw eggs, soft cheeses etc Hot dogs and other pre-prepared foods can be dangerous when pregnant. Soft cheeses, sliced meat and chicken, raw fish and pre made salads are best avoided to prevent the risk of listeriosis.
• You Should Avoid Caffeine Caffeine taken during pregnancy is thought to increase the probability of a child contracting diabetes.
• You Should Avoid Vitamin A Supplements During the first trimester you greatly increase the risk of having a baby with birth defects or other problems by consuming vitamin A, Natural sources of vitamin A are fine but your doctor will advise you.
• You should Avoid X-Rays Inform your doctor or dentist of the fact that you are pregnant and they can control the risk. If an X-Ray can be postponed until after the pregnancy, that is usually best
• You should Avoid Microwaves There is a theory that microwaves are best avoided
• You should not Use an Electric Blanket/Water beds Electric Blankets give off low-level electromagnetic fields which may be harmful to a developing baby...
• You should Avoid Stress Stress is best avoided but this is not always possible especially if you have other children!
• Exposure to chemicals It is not a god time to renovate as old paint may contain high levels of lead. Even new paint, wood treatments and solvents have harmful fumes. Strong pesticides, weed killers and sprays are best avoided
• Herpes If you do have herpes, you should be sure to tell your doctor.
• Heavy lifting It is best to avoid heavy lifting or really strenuous exercise. Pregnancy is not an illness but it is sensible to take care
• Sauna, Hot Tub or Take Long Hot Baths Hot tubs and hot baths have a tendency to raise your body temperature and therefore are to be avoided.
• Cleaning Cat Litter Boxes. Both cat litter and undercooked meat present the risk of toxoplasmosis, which causes birth defects.

Essential information during pregnancy