The 'seven sins' of pregnancy

2 mins to read

There are some things in pregnancy that should be absolutely avoided. Naturopath Stephanie Hamilton provides the list and the evidence.

Pregnancy and preconception

We all know we should avoid alcohol and smoking during pregnancy, but there are also a number of other factors you may not have thought of that may affect the future health of your developing baby.

Avoiding these seven ‘sins’, while ensuring you stick to a healthy diet, will have a significant impact on your health and that of your baby’s.

So here are the top seven things to avoid in pregnancy:

1. Paint, paint thinners, chemical-based household cleaning products, hair treatments and environmental pollution

All home renovations should be avoided during pregnancy and preconception. This includes peeling, scraping and burning off lead-containing paint (painted before 1960). Hair treatments and colours as well as exercising near heavy traffic congestion should also be avoided to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants.

Evidence and effects
Several years ago, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) researched the amounts of chemicals found in umbilical cord blood of new born babies in the USA, finding an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants. The EWG state that children are so much more vulnerable to chemical exposure and accumulation due to their rapid development and incomplete defense systems.

2. Mercury

High consumption of large predator fish can increase the levels of mercury in the body. Limit intake of these fish (tuna, swordfish, barramundi, shark, marlin) to once a fortnight, if at all. All dental work involving amalgam (mercury) fillings should be completely avoided during preconception and pregnancy. If you must get dental work done, consider seeing a holistic dentist who will use safer alternatives.

Evidence and effects
Mercury accumulation in the mother can be passed on to her developing baby through the placenta. Research shows that mercury can have a significant impact on the brain and nervous system of the child and the effects are usually not noticed until developmental milestones, such as walking and talking, are delayed later in childhood. Memory, language and attention span may also be affected.

3. Heat

Avoid exercising in the heat or engaging in strenuous exercise. Also avoid long hot baths and sleeping with an electric blanket on. Keeping cool in pregnancy is critical and on hot days it is important to keep hydrated.

Evidence and effects
During pregnancy, your internal temperature rises and this coupled with the increase in heat production caused by exercise can be dangerous if you don’t keep cool.

4. Alcohol

Alcohol easily crosses the placenta and can greatly affect the baby’s development.

Evidence and effects
Consuming alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, congenital deformities and effects on the baby’s intelligence. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) states “there is no lower limit that can be guaranteed to be completely safe and so the safest thing is to stop drinking altogether while you are pregnant and while you are breast feeding”.

5. Smoking - passive and active

The NHMRC states that cigarette smoking during pregnancy carries increased health risks for both the mother and the baby. Other recreational drugs should also be completely avoided in pregnancy and preconception.

Evidence and effects
Smoking causes a greater risk of low birth weight for the baby, spontaneous abortion, premature birth, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), cleft lip and palate and other serious diseases.

6. Old, overstored food

If your leftovers are more than a day old, don’t eat them. You should always eat fresh foods that you know haven’t been sitting out for days. Microbes that can put you and your baby at risk can easily grow on food, so fresh is always best.

Evidence and effects
Listeria and salmonella infections can put your baby at significant risk of miscarriage, still birth or premature labour. Heat destroys listeria and salmonella, so properly cooked foods are not a risk. Avoid raw eggs and undercooked meats.

7. Over the counter medications

Avoid any over the counter medication unless you have discussed it with your healthcare professional. Many medications are not safe for use during pregnancy and lactation so it is always best to double check first. This includes herbal medicines and nutritional supplements.

Chat abour your pregnancy in our Pregnancy Community.

References available on request