Precautions During Pregnancy: Things You Must Know

“Making a decision to have a child-it’s momentous, It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body“- Elizabeth Stone

Yes it is, beyond any doubt! The best mother in the world is one, whose love and care for her child sprouts since she decides to be a mother. And pregnancy needs lots of precautions before it happens and during the period a woman feels that a new soul has descended in her womb. Needless to say, mother’s health is the epicenter for her off spring as it has to do all with her womb. Diet, environment and her state of mind are some most important factors that decide what the child would be. First of all let us discuss the things that pose the biggest threat to a pregnant woman- addiction to intoxication. Although all types of intoxication are dangerous, but we focus here is on the bad effects of those which are widely consumed by women all over the world.

Alcohol

All types of beverages that are alcoholic, are (more or less, depending on alcoholic content) dangerous for a gravid woman, mostly leading to fatal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS are a disorder that may be called as the complete ruin of normal life of the victimized child as the defects can not be cured later. Child born with fatal alcohol syndrome may tend to all types of mental health problems we know. Their physical features also are not normal. Smaller head, deformed facial features abnormal growth of limbs and joints are some of most common symptoms. Besides they are poor at learning and have frequent memory problems.

Smoking

For a pregnant woman any type of smoking is as fatal as alcohol Even the second hand or passive smoking has deadly effect on the offspring. Generally it leads to low birth weight babies, infection, feeding problems, breathing problems and in worst case even Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).Cancer probability is also very high in such child.

Diets

Next to above mentioned bad habits are diets that have direct impact on the womb. Regarding this, I would like to advocate the vegetarian foods. Since they are the natural source of healthy nutrients, rich in fiber and easy to digest with low fat, are best for a pregnant woman. But in case of not being strict vegetarian, pregnant women need to be more precautious because the chances of getting infected are more. What we get as non –veg. (fish, red meat or white meat), always have a secondary source like animals and that’s the problem. Their blood and flash may be a good transmitter of deadly viruses or bacteria to our health. And pregnant women have comparatively weaker immune system, so they fall prey easily. They should avoid sea foods and fishes, since some types may contain high level of mercury, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), dioxins and other environmental contaminants, particularly the fishes containing high level of methyl mercury pose greatest risk to the unborn child. Disrupting or completely destroying the nervous system of unborn child. Due to frequent intake of such fishes, mercury accumulates in blood streams and remains for a long period. Shark, Sword fish, King mackerel or Tile fish are some fishes containing high level of mercury. Foods containing Sodium Nitrate should also be avoided. Sodium Nitrate is generally used as preservative in foods and frequently used in Bacon Ham, Lunch eon meats, Hot dogs and some sausages, smoked fishes etc. although these may be yummy- tasting but dietary poison as well. Fruits, vegetables and peel carrot must be washed in fresh water before use in order to avoid eating pesticides used on them. Excess intake tea and coffee is also harmful as these products are rich in caffeine and are stimulant by nature. Blood pressure of a gravid woman should also be kept in check because high or low blood pressure may lead to Preeclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) or toxemia. Some common symptoms of Preeclampsia are rise in blood pressure and protein in urine causing blurred vision, headache, upper abdominal pain, increased swelling and rapid weight gain. Check up of blood sugar level is also must, because some woman may be more vulnerable to Gestational Diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. It’s affect on baby lead to premature birth, low blood sugar, jaundice, big baby and many other health problems. Any type of pollution (sound, air or water) has also very deep impact on both mother and child’s health. Exposure to chemicals are also harmful leading birth defects so gravid should also avoid using facials or cosmetics that have harmful chemicals. They should avoid stream or sauna bath, as varying their body temperature with fetus temperature is harmful for the upcoming child. In fact they should bath in moderate water that suits their body. Avoid touching pets even because they may be the source of severe infection like Toxoplasmosis. During pregnancy woman should avoid ray generating objects or Video Display Terminals (VDTs)

Yoga

Yoga has magical power to coup with several problems that a woman faces during pregnancy. Always choose your yoga carefully because some practices are not for pregnant. Generally they should choose those postures that are easy to do, convenient and less energy consuming. Better to get advice of an expert.

Listening To Music 

Classical music are best. I would like to rename them as `healing mantras` chanted in very deep meditative state. They work directly with the strings of mind, generating peace and happiness. They are one of the best sources to coup with bad mood.

Her Bedroom or Surrounding Environment 

A popular saying, `As we think, we are`. Really has its special effect. A pregnant woman must pay attention to the place where she spent most of her time. At least she must pay special attention to her bed room which is the place she spends most of her time during the advance stage of her pregnancy. The interior of the bed room must be eye soothing and not irritating at all. It is better to decorate the walls with happy and healthy babies’ pictures so that her mind would always have an imagination of a lovable healthy child. Bed room should also be safe from all type of pollutions.