Being pregnant is a delicate process and proper care should be taken about the things you do during pregnancy in order not to run into some kind of complications. There are also some activities that should be minimised or completely avoided when you are pregnant.

1) Avoid smoking

Smoking has been associated to premature delivery and early rupture of membranes in the mother. Studies also show that smoking leads to limited oxygen intake of foetus, affects the development of organs, increases risk of congenital defects and reduces weight and size of foetus. It also shows that smoking during pregnancy may trigger early puberty in boys and significantly increase the chances of drug dependence in girls.

2) Avoid alcohol consumption

Research has shown that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to defects in child birth, which includes: learning disability, mental retardation and improper growth. A birth defect known as fetal alcohol syndrome in the baby has also been associated to excessive intake of alcohol during pregnancy. In order not to put your baby at risk to all of these birth defects, it is advisable that you avoid the consumption of alcohol when you are pregnant.

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3) Avoid stress

Stress could lead to several kinds of complications during pregnancy. It has been associated to forced labor or miscarriage. Stress of any kind should be avoided during pregnancy.

4) Avoid strenuous exercises

Though mild or moderate exercise is good for the well-being of the woman during pregnancy, strenuous exercise can lead to shortage of oxygen, which might eventually lead to fetal brain damage due to restricted supply of oxygen to fetal brain.

5) Avoid standing for long periods of time

Pregnant women should avoid standing for long hours as this can result in varicose veins as well as edema (abnormal accumulation of fluid) in the legs and feet, which may result in swollen legs and feet. Sitting down, lying down and if possible placing your legs in a raised position is recommended.

6) Avoid X-rays and other form of radiation

Pregnant women should avoid standing for long hours as this can result in varicose veins as well as edema (abnormal accumulation of fluid) in the legs and feet, which may result in swollen legs and feet. Sitting down, lying down and if possible placing your legs in a raised position is recommended.

Those are some of the activities that you should not do during pregnancy. It is also best to ask for your doctor’s advice on what other activities you should minimised or avoid completely while you are pregnant to make sure you’ll give birth to a healthy newborn baby.

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