Things to avoid in early pregnancy to avoid miscarriage

The first trimester is the period when your baby is trying to implant itself into the uterus. What is just an egg initially gradually develops into an embryo and comes into life with a heartbeat at around 6 weeks. This is said to be the most crucial phase of pregnancy as this is a sensitive time and is susceptible to miscarriages.

To avoid having miscarriages, pregnant women are usually advised to avoid many activities or to consume certain food or beverages. Let's take a look at them one by one:

Household activities to avoid during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a rich experience of carrying a new life within you that not only demands you to be careful but also asks for an ample amount of rest. Staying active, cheerful & healthy should be the way of life while pregnant which is good not only for you but also for the little life inside your womb. Still, there are certain tasks which could prove to be fatal and must not be done to avoid any sort of mishappening. These are the 5 household activities to avoid during pregnancy:

1. Standing for long: In early pregnancy, expecting women suffer from fatigue and morning sickness. So, it is advisable to take frequent breaks from any work that requires you to stand for long. Otherwise, it could put stress on your feet and may lead to swelling or back pain.

2. Lifting heavy objects: Once your belly starts to show up, the muscles and tissues become weaker due to hormonal changes. This majorly happens in the second trimester. Pregnant women are thereby, asked not to lift up a heavy object or a child at this stage to avoid injury.

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3. Bending forward: Once you gain weight the body’s centre of gravity drifts. This in turn puts pressure on nerves from the back to the legs. So, any household task like moping, sweeping or washing clothes which requires a forward bend should be avoided. You can use pregnancy belt to avoid excessive strain on back.

4. Climbing up: The key mantra is to ask for help. Any task that requires you to climb up a stool or a ladder is risky enough to cause pre-term labour.

5. Use of chemicals: Excess exposure to insecticides or household cleaning products that contain chemicals is a strict no for a pregnant woman. Such inhalation can cause fetal brain damage, which you will don’t wish. Make it a rule to look for natural products & use them at home to keep your baby safe.

Indian foods to avoid during pregnancy

1. Pineapple: It contains a certain substance that softens the cervix and can cause early labour contractions or even a miscarriage.

2. Sesame Seeds: They can be troublesome in early pregnancy, especially when consumed with honey.

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3. Raw Eggs: These are also not good for expecting moms. Even the items with raw eggs in them like mayonnaise etc should be avoided.

4. Drum Sticks: It is also harmful in pregnancy. Though it is a rich source of Iron, Calcium & vitamins should be consumed within permissible limits.

5. Papaya: Papaya comes under the high alert zone. It is believed to contain enzymes that can cause uterine contractions. Thereby, a miscarriage!

6. Aloe Vera: With a bundle of benefits normally, it becomes hazardous in pregnancy. It contains an enzyme that could be the reason for untimely uterine contractions, pelvic bleeding and miscarriage.

This must have given you a fair idea of what fruits & vegetables to avoid during pregnancy.

Drinks to avoid during pregnancy

There are broadly 4 drinks that any pregnant woman should restrict

1. Unpasteurized Milk: Such milk is dangerous for the pregnant woman.

2. Caffeine: It’s high time that you should look for alternatives. Caffeine is not good as it can either be the cause of an underweight baby or a miscarriage.

3. Alcohol: is one such drink that passes to your unborn through the bloodstream.

4. Sweetened Carbonated Drinks

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Foods to eat during pregnancy week by week

Eating a healthy diet during your pregnancy is one of the most essential things for you and your baby. The food you eat is the main source of nourishment for your little one so eating food rich in nutrients should be the main goal.

Important Nutrients to keep in mind

Vital nutrients which should be included in your diet:

1) Iron: An essential nutrient to ensure healthy blood flow in the body is iron. At this stage, a mother needs strong blood flow in her body to prevent fatigue and nausea which accompanies the pregnancy period. To make sure your iron requirements are fulfilled you need to include vegetables such as spinach, beetroot, fenugreek, chicken, and fish.

2) Folic acid: Folic acid is a part of the B vitamins. It helps to protect the unborn baby from having any neural tube defects. These types of defects tend to develop during the initial stages of pregnancy and result in stillborn or death a few hours after birth. Useful sources of folic acid include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables such as kale, spring greens, chickpeas, and kidney beans.

3) Fibre: Another important ingredient to aid digestion and prevent constipation is fibre. A diet rich in fibres will help you to maintain blood pressure as well as reduce any risk during pregnancy. The sources of fibre include oatmeal, beans, barley, and fruits such as berries, apples, and citrus fruits.

4) Calcium: Calcium is an important mineral to help your baby’s bones ossify as well as support the healthy maintenance of your bones. It can also prevent any increased risk of osteoporosis. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), an intake of 1.5-2 g of elemental calcium divided into 3 doses from twenty weeks gestation until the end of pregnancy is preferable. The list of nutritious foods to help you meet calcium goals includes legumes, sweet products, eggs, lean meat, and proteins.

Also read: Milk During Pregnancy: Which Milk is Good for Pregnancy?