Every pregnant woman knows not to drink or smoke. But new studies show that there are many other ways expectant moms put their unborn children in danger – and they may not even know it.
Here are 8 not so obvious behaviors you need to watch if you are pregnant or have just given birth:
Get enough sunshine – The vitamin D humans create from sunlight helps regulate weight. If your kids level is too low, he could grow up obese.
Skip the deli case – Processed meats are not prepared at the same high temperature as other meats – and it could house deadly bacteria. “The bacteria could pass through the placenta to the baby, whose immunity is very different from yours,” Dr. Iffath Hoskins, and OB/GYN at NYU told the Daily News.
And the vitamin world has its equivalent to Frankenmeat: unregulated supplements. New York Attorney General Eric Schneider called out 4 major retailers for selling supplements with fillers. “There is zero quality control,” Hoskins said.
Cheddar is better – Soft cheeses like Camembert can host listeria, which can cause micro tears and infections in the placenta – the baby’s lifeline.
Drinking that third cup of coffee – Studies have found that pumping your fetus with caffeine ups the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. One or 2 cups is okay, but anything more can raise a mother’s heart rate and compromise her blood vessels efficiency. That translates to complications for the baby.
Feeling frazzled – Daytime stress that leads to sleep troubles – and a double whammy of damage to your infant from all the cortisol you’re cranking out. “The babies suddenly getting showered with a much higher amount of stress hormones than normal,” Hoskins said, adding that it could affect the baby’s growth. Also, don’t overexert yourself in a workout. If you’re gasping for air, so is your baby. Besides, you’re not supposed to lose weight during pregnancy. It’s normal to gain 20 – 40 pounds.
Drinking water – Avoid any bottle that does not explicitly say it is BPA Free. The toxic chemical has been linked to brain, lung, hormonal and heart problems, and also cancer, obesity, diabetes, ADHD, and even miscarriage.
Treating a headache – Expectant mother should never take aspirin or Advil ( ibuprofen ) because they can alter kidney function, Dr. Jennifer Wu, an OB/GYN at Lenox Hill Hospital says. Use Tylenol ( acetaminophen ) instead.
Using your cell phone – Cell phone radiation affects fetal brain development, according to a June study from Yale School of Medicine. And after the baby is born, your jabbering and hyper connected lifestyle could lead to ADHD and decreased memory, the study found.