Ways Pregnant Women Affect Babies
For all the joy and excitement that often comes with pregnancy, mothers-to-be also have to manage plenty of potential concerns about their own health and the health of their unborn children. While some factors affecting the baby’s health are beyond the mother’s control, there are also plenty of things women can do during pregnancy to minimize any potential damages.
Avoid cigarettes
Of all the things a pregnant woman could do, there’s no doubt that smoking is one of the most detrimental for her health and the wellbeing of her unborn baby. Smoking affects the development of babies in the womb, specifically of the central nervous system, which can lead to life-long health complications. The harmful chemicals in a cigarette include lead, cyanide, and carbon monoxide amongst others, and when a pregnant woman inhales this deadly cocktail, not only is the baby exposed to the same chemicals, but the amount of oxygen in the womb is also significantly decreased. Even secondhand smoke can create problems with attention and aggression in unborn children, so mothers-to-be should make an effort to avoid exposure where possible.
Steer clear of alcohol
Like cigarette smoke, alcohol is very easily passed through the body of a pregnant woman and into the system of her unborn child. Although many liberal estimates exist, the truth is that no one has determined a safe alcohol consumption limit for expectant mothers; hence, doctors typically recommend that pregnant women eliminate alcohol entirely until after birth. As alcohol can also infiltrate breast milk, new mothers should also limit alcohol consumption while breastfeeding.
Maintain a healthy weight
Beyond the immediate health implications of carrying extra weight, pregnant women have the added weight-loss incentive of knowing that being overweight can cause problems for unborn babies. Babies born to overweight mothers are at greater risk of developing obesity and diabetes, while a child’s vulnerability to asthma bears association with the mother’s weight prior to pregnancy. For this reason, it’s best to achieve a healthy weight prior to becoming pregnant, but even in cases where this is not possible, taking on a basic exercise routine which includes regular walks during pregnancy can make a real positive difference.
Enjoy the sunlight
In small doses, exposure to the sun is necessary for wellbeing, mostly because it provides much-needed vitamin D. The sunshine vitamin is more than just a mood-booster, especially in the case of expectant mothers, since it can reduce the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and low birth weight for new babies. Of course, too much sun can also be dangerous, especially for women who are particularly susceptible to skin damage, making vitamin D supplements an attractive alternative.
Monitor your diet
Eating the right foods is essential to general health, including lean meats, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole-grain breads, but there are a few extra guidelines expectant mothers should follow for the good of unborn babies. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to avoid anything raw, including meat, fish, and eggs, and anything unpasteurised, which includes a range of cheeses like blue cheese, feta, Brie, and Camembert. Anything made with raw eggs, such as mousse, cookie dough, and Caesar dressing, is also off the menu. An expectant mother who has maintained a healthy pre-pregnancy weight should expect to consume about 300 additional calories per day in order to keep herself nourished and fulfil the nutritional needs of her growing baby. It’s particularly important to get the right concentration of calcium, iron, and folate, all of which can also be found in most pregnancy multivitamins as well as in a range of everyday foods like red meat, tofu, leafy green vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
Check your prescriptions
Prescription drugs like antidepressants are a normal part of life for many women, but they can present serious challenges during pregnancy, including increased risk of miscarriages and birth defects. As such, it’s not uncommon for women who struggle with mental illness to turn to cognitive behavioural therapy as an alternative to medication. In any case, no one should stop taking hormonal mood-altering medications without first consulting their doctor, as doing so safely usually requires time and careful planning of dose reductions.
Pregnancy can feel like a long, challenging process, especially when there are so many rules to keep in mine. Even so, the fact remains that new mothers who follow medical guidelines and adapt their lifestyles accordingly have the best chance of giving their babies a strong, healthy start in life.
Tanya is a writer and a mother of two youngsters. She loves cooking, reading books and riding bikes with her husband.