What are the right positions to have sex during pregnancy and which positions are the most comfortable during pregnancy?

In the early months of pregnancy you can choose any lovemaking position, but as your pregnancy progresses, your growing tummy can make sex uncomfortable. Making love in some positions become uncomfortable. Particularly the missionary position – the face-to-face position, with man on top becomes uncomfortable as pregnancy progresses. Early in pregnancy, especially in the first three months, the man-on-top position usually presents no physical difficulty for the couple. It becomes less practical as the belly presents a considerable obstacle to penis-vagina contact. While many people tend to prefer the missionary position for sex, during pregnancy it becomes very difficult as the abdomen gets larger.

When your growing belly makes some positions uncomfortable, experiment with alternative ones, such as side-by-side, rear entry, or woman-on-top positions. Choose the position that is most comfortable for you and your partner.

You may have to change your sexual habits during pregnancy. The best way to approach this change is to realize that it is an opportunity to build on and enhance the physical side of your relationship. As your pregnancy advances, there are plenty of erotic and exciting positions you can try. Both of you can explore the pleasures of new lovemaking positions and other forms of sexual activity, such as mutual masturbation and oral sex. These alternatives are also the best options until you resume lovemaking after the birth of your baby.

Here are some tips for making love while you’re pregnant.

Sex positions during pregnancy

During pregnancy try some of the below mentioned sex positions which helps you enjoy sex inspite of the big belly and helps prevent the pregnant woman from laying on her back, which is not recommended after the fourth month of pregnancy (16 weeks gestation).

Woman-on-top position

From second trimester onwards you will probably find this position most comfortable as your abdomen enlarges. In this position you can lift yourself off your partner’s stomach by supporting yourself on your knees and can avoid pressure on your abdomen and breasts.

This position allows you to control the depth of penetration, and the majority of the movement such as speed and rhythm of your lovemaking. You can go as fast or as slow as you’d like, while controlling the depth of penetration of the penis.

The spooning position

In this position the couple lie on their sides, their legs bent upwards, both facing in the same direction, with the man behind the woman. In this position the man is behind, allowing his penis to go between your thighs and enter you from behind. It is called the spoon position because it is like two spoons, one nestling inside the other. The partners nestle together like a pair of spoons.

This allows only shallow penetration and puts no pressure on the abdomen. This is a very gentle position as neither partner is putting any weight on the other. Many women during pregnancy find this a very relaxing position for sex, and it can be used throughout.

This position will also be useful if you experience any soreness or discomfort during lovemaking after you have given birth, especially if you have had a tear during labor.

A variation of this position is the woman lying on her back on top of her partner. It frees her from any pressure on her abdomen while her partner has complete access to her vagina. He can continue to stimulate her either with his hand or his penis.

Kneeling and side-by-side positions

These positions involve entering from behind and can be adopted especially during pregnancy. They are particularly useful if you don’t feel very comfortable lying flat on your back, or those times when you do not want to take active part in the lovemaking.

Kneeling position gives your partner freedom of movement and let him vary the amount of penetration.

Side-by-side positions are not only comfortable and pleasurable, but permit plenty of passionate kissing and caressing.

Sitting positions

In this position, your partner sits on a sturdy, comfortable chair or on the edge of the bed and you sit on his lap, either facing him (if your abdomen is not too big), facing to one side, or facing away from him.

Most useful in the second and third trimester, this position doesn’t allow a lot of movement and is comfortable for both partners. It lessens pressure on the pregnant belly and in addition, the depth of penetration can be controlled by the pregnant woman.

When you are facing to one side or away from your partner, he can use his hands to caress your body and breasts and to stimulate your clitoris. His range of movement is limited, you have control of the sexual tempo.

Hands & Knees

This is a very good position for pregnant women because of the lack of direct pressure on the abdomen, although as your get larger your belly may actually rest on the bed. Some women find this difficult at the very end of pregnancy, depending on how high they are able to hold their belly off the bed and still allow for penetration.

Side lying

Lay on your side with your partner facing you, try pulling one leg up to allow room for your partner. This may get tiring after awhile, and may not be easy for the last part of pregnancy.

These positions work well throughout pregnancy and at the very end of pregnancy too. These positions allow a great deal of intimacy. You and your partner have your hands free to caress and stroke each other. All of the above mentioned positions also allow for manual stimulation of the clitoris either by yourself or your partner. This can greatly increase your chance of becoming multi-orgasmic.

Try these positions, if it doesn’t work stop. With a little experimenting, you and your spouse are sure to find a technique that works for you.

Creativity can be a lot of fun. Each couple’s creativity can add variety to these basic positions. For example, the woman-on-top sex position can be done on a chair rather than a bed; for rear-entry sex the woman can be on her hands and knees to start with, rather than lying down.

Pregnancy does encourage experimentation and many couples find that some of the practices they discover during pregnancy are continued and become a regular part of their sexual expression after the birth of the baby.

Intercourse is not obligatory though, and some couples find that after the, first few months of pregnancy it becomes sufficient to enjoy masturbation.

However, do take certain precautions like:

•  The pregnant woman should not lie down flat on her back during sexual intercourse as her uterus can apply unwanted pressure on the veins behind her abdomen causing her a lot of discomfort. It is not recommended especially after the fourth month of pregnancy (16 weeks gestation).

•  Avoid the missionary (man-on-top) position. During missionary position, the man is on the top and his weight bears down on the woman. Without his realization the movements can become rough. This, in turn, can disturb the fetus. Woman on top position is advisable, or they both could be in a sitting position, so that there is no pressure on her abdomen and movement is gentle. Couples are often worried that they might hurt the baby, but they can’t – there is no need for anxiety.

•  Sex should be gentle during pregnancy. Deep thrusts can become uncomfortable as the months pass.

Other ways of expressing intimacy during pregnancy

Many couples find that during pregnancy the frequency of intercourse declines, but they adopt other forms of sexual expression such as masturbation and oral sex so that they can continue to express their intimacy fully.

Self- masturbation and mutual masturbation are both popular during pregnancy. Masturbation may be used as a satisfying end in itself or as part of releasing sexual tension.

Oral sex is popular during pregnancy. During pregnancy intercourse can became difficult and oral sex can be very satisfying. It can be continued safely throughout pregnancy. Sometimes, increased vaginal lubrication and a slight change in vaginal odor present a temporary difficulty, but it can be overcome by bathing before sex and maybe using a scented lotion.

Lubricating creams or gels may irritate your skin and cause allergic reactions. Therefore it’s best to avoid using them during pregnancy. Clean your pelvic area thoroughly after you make love. Wipe dry with a clean towel or tissue paper.

There are small, everyday ways of showing affection. Kissing, holding and touching each other also express loving care, and are important signs that you are still physically and emotionally close to each other. They can provide reassurance that the two people still find each other attractive even in periods when they may be refraining from genital sex. They help in expressing intimacy during pregnancy.

Lowered sex drive in pregnant women

Pregnant women find that their desire for sex fluctuates during different stages of pregnancy. The desire for sex and the enjoyment varies widely, not only from one woman to another during pregnancy, but also in the same woman at different stages of pregnancy. Some pregnant women experience heightened sexual desire throughout the nine months, others have hardly any desire for physical intimacy. For some women, pregnancy is just a sexual turnoff. Libido can wax and wane during pregnancy, or it may wane only.

Reasons for sex drive fluctuation during pregnancy

Desire for physical intimacy is lost due to following reasons

Your hormonal changes

A woman undergoes many physical, psychological, and emotional changes during pregnancy, which influence her desire for sex. These changes are due to the increased levels of hormones circulating in her body.

Physical and emotional wellbeing

Sexual drive in women during pregnancy also depends on her physical and emotional wellbeing. Pregnancy discomforts such as morning sickness, mood swings and expanding bellies can leave you feeling drained out completely which may affect your sexual drive.

Lack of confidence about their appearance

Many women feel that their bodies become less and less attractive as pregnancy progresses, because of the physical changes that have taken place and this lack of confidence about their appearance often leads to a lowered inclination for sex. You may feel less attractive, which is perfectly normal.

Large tummy

Many women find that sex becomes uncomfortable as their tummies get larger. The size of abdomen may make the missionary position and other positions awkward or uncomfortable. Take the time to find alternative positions that are comfortable for the pregnant woman. The physical and emotional changes you undergo during pregnancy can influence your attitude to sex, but do not allow pregnancy to displace sensuality in your relationship.

Sex drive fluctuation during different stages of pregnancy

Typically, there is a decline in interest in sex during the first trimester (especially if you are suffering from tiredness and nausea), followed by an increase in the second trimester, with decline again in the third trimester.

First trimester

In the first trimester, the hormonal changes cause nausea, vomiting, morning sickness and mood swings which make pregnant women exhausted and fatigued, leaving them in no frame of mind to spark up their sex life during pregnancy and result in reduced interest in sex. However, other pregnancy changes may increase desire for sex, such as an increased blood flow, which produces swelling in the clitoris and labia and extra vaginal secretions.

Second trimester

In the second trimester most women find that their interest and pleasure in sex returns as the initial sickness of pregnancy disappears and hormonal changes with increased blood circulation to the pelvic region can make your genitals feel full. There may be vaginal discharge and intensity of orgasm can increase with extra sensitivity in the breasts which can make you feel aroused.

Third trimester

Many women find that their libido falls toward the end of pregnancy largely due to fatigue and a bigger belly makes sex more awkward and uncomfortable. Other discomforts like backaches and feeling increasingly anxious about labour can effect a woman’s interest in sex. In the last trimester, women are more preoccupied with the impending delivery and health of the baby and the excitement of becoming a new parent which does not let them concentrate elsewhere.

Open communication with your partner is important

Hormone levels can swing quite violently during pregnancy, and you may find that you’re emotionally volatile, switching from sadness to tearfulness, and then to great elation. All this is perfectly normal, but it can have an adverse effect on your sexual relationship with your partner. If it does, you must be open with him and be honest about your feelings. If you don’t want to make love because you feel physically ill or excessively tired, tell him or he could feel rejected. Open communication will be the key to a satisfying and safe sexual relationship during pregnancy. You and your partner need to adapt to the emotional and physical changes that accompany pregnancy. Expecting dad’s must be understanding if their partner isn’t interested in sex. Men should be supportive and caring for their wives feelings and emotions. Have different expressions of intimacy like cuddling, kissing and even physical stimulation. Try sex positions which are comfortable for both of you.

How expecting dad’s feel

Men’s desire for sex like that of their partner may increase or decrease. As with women, men display a range of feelings toward sex when their partner is in pregnancy. While some may find their partner’s new, fuller shape particularly sensuous, others may feel apprehensive about sex, fearing that they may harm the baby. Some men may feel a combination of these emotions. Your partner may also experience changes in his desire for sex due to the excitement and normal apprehension that goes along with being a father.

One food borne illness you need to be careful of during pregnancy is listeriosis. During pregnancy changes occur in how your immune system functions. The hormonal changes in your body during pregnancy can weaken your immune system. This can put pregnant women at a higher risk for certain infections. Even if you feel perfectly healthy during your pregnancy you may be more susceptible to an infection.

There are infections that can occur through food and one such infection which can cause harm to your fetus and interfere with a normal pregnancy is listeriosis.

To prevent this infection it’s important to follow special food safety precautions. However, these illnesses are extremely rare and should not cause you undue worry or fear.

Listeriosis: Infection through food

Listeria is a type of bacteria found in some foods, that can grow at refrigerator temperatures where most other foodborne bacteria do not, which can cause a rare but dangerous infection called listeriosis. Listeriosis is an infection that can occur when a person eats food that has been contaminated with bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes commonly called as listeria. Listeriosis is food poisoning, a particular kind of foodborne illness that poses a special danger for pregnant women. Pregnant women are twenty times more likely than other healthy adults to develop listeriosis due to their weakened immune system.

Complications due to listeria infection

Infection by listeria in early pregnancy may cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the developing baby leading to infection or blood poisoning, which can be life-threatening to the fetus. Infections in late pregnancy may lead to certain pregnancy complications, such as premature labor, stillbirth, or death of the infant within a few hours of birth. About half of infants infected at or near term will die.

Infection with Listeria may be followed by meningitis encephalitis (an infection of the brain or its surrounding tissues) and/or septicaemia (bloodstream infection), either of which can cause death of the pregnant woman.

Listeriosis symptoms: How do you know if you have listeriosis?

It can take days or even weeks to show symptoms, and they may be mild. Symptoms usually start within 3 to 70 days after exposure to the bacteria. It usually takes about 30 days for the flu-like symptoms to occur, but it can take much longer. Listeriosis can affect your baby’s health even if you feel few noticeable symptoms.

Pregnant women may feel flu-like symptoms with sudden fever, chills, muscle aches, and diarrhea or stomach discomfort, nausea and vomitting.

Symptoms may spread to the nervous system as headache, stiff neck, loss of balance, confusion, or even convulsions.

Consult your doctor if you experience symptoms such as fever or stiff neck and if you may have eaten a contaminated product in the past two months as symptoms don’t appear soon after infection.

There is no routine screening test for susceptibility to listeriosis during pregnancy, as there is for other congenital infections. A blood or spinal fluid test (to cultivate the bacteria) will show if you have listeriosis. During pregnancy, a blood test is the most reliable way to find out if your symptoms are due to listeriosis. The condition can be treated with antibiotics.

How long the illness lasts can vary depending on the severity of illness.

Listeria’s habitation, How does Listeria get into food?

Listeria monocytogenes lives in soil and water. Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil or from manure used as fertilizer. Animals can carry the bacterium without appearing ill and when these are consumed as meat and dairy products they infect humans. Listeria is hence, found in raw meat, uncooked meats, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, seafood, as well as in processed foods that become contaminated after processing and during packaging, such as soft cheeses, deli meats and cold cuts. Unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk, pâtés and prepackaged salads may contain the bacterium listeria.

Listeria is killed by pasteurization, and heating procedures used to prepare ready-to-eat processed meats should be sufficient to kill the bacterium; however, unless good manufacturing practices are followed, contamination can occur after processing.

How you can get sick

•  By eating or drinking food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The main route of acquisition of Listeria infection is through the ingestion of contaminated food products.

•  Through cross-contamination during food preparation in the kitchen.

There is no way to tell whether a food contains the bacterium, so avoid foods that contain the bacterium.
And the only way to ensure your food is not contaminated by the bacterium is to follow safe food handling precautions.

Listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures. If a food becomes contaminated and is stored in the refrigerator for long periods of time, a person can develop listeriosis after eating the food. Listeria can live in refrigerated temperatures but is killed by cooking.

Can listeriosis be prevented? How can you reduce your risk for listeriosis?

Because symptoms don’t appear soon after infection, it’s important to prevent infection by following food safety precautions. The general guidelines recommended for the prevention of listeriosis are similar to those used to help prevent other foodborne illnesses. To prevent infection by listeria:

•  Avoid foods that are likely to contain the bacteria listeria.
•  Follow safe food preparation
•  Follow hygiene practices

How to prevent infection and how to protect yourself from listeriosis

Take following precautions to prevent listeriosis:

•  Listeria are destroyed by heat and therefore pregnant women are advised to reheat ready-prepared meals thoroughly. Eat hot food immediately after heating.

•  To avoid bacteria contamination, store all meats and fish in the refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

•  Avoid raw, rare and undercooked meats as they could contain listeria.

•  Thoroughly cook any raw meat such as beef, pork, or poultry until there are no pink bits left. Cook any meat, poultry, to a safe internal temperature. Use a digital food thermometer to check the internal temperature of your food. Cooking of meat can kill any listeria present.

•  Cook meats until an internal thermometer reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit (145 degrees Fahrenheit for steaks, veal, roasts, and lamb).

•  Cook most fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63°C). The fish is done when it separates into flakes and appears opaque throughout. Both fresh and frozen fish must be properly prepared to eliminate bacterial contamination.

•  Cook shrimp, lobster and scallops until they’re milky white. Cook clams, mussels and oysters until their shells open. Discard any that don’t open.

•  While you’re pregnant, avoid all raw and undercooked seafood. Seafood have to be cooked to a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).

•  Foods that contain raw meat like sushi also have to be avoided.

•  Separate raw and cooked foods during meal preparation in order to prevent cross-contamination.

•  Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating them.

•  Wash all knives, cutting boards, utensils, and kitchen countertops well after handling uncooked foods..

•  Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk or foods made from raw or unpasteurized milk. Unpasteurized milk and milk products contain listeria. Use only pasteurized dairy products. Pasteurization heats foods to kill any microorganisms that live in them. Most conventional milk is pasteurized, and most dairy products are made from pasteurized milk.

•  Eat only pasteurized cheese and eat cheeses only if the package says they are made from pasteurized milk. Do not eat soft cheese, such as Feta, Brie, Camembert, “blue-veined cheeses,” “queso blanco,” “queso fresco,” and Panela and Mexican-style cheese – unless it’s labeled as made with pasteurized milk. These soft cheeses may contain listeria because of the way these cheeses are made. Cheeses made from unpasteurized milk or raw milk may contain listeria. Check the label. (Hard cheeses, processed cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt need not be avoided.) Soft, raw milk cheeses may be eaten if heated to 160°F before eating.

•  Avoid eating cheese at restaurants or other places where you can’t verify if they are pasteurized or not.

•  Do not eat refrigerated pâté and meat spreads because they may contain the bacteria listeria. Avoid all types of pâté, including vegetable pâtés. Listeria can live in refrigerated temperatures. Canned pate, or shelf-safe meat spreads can be eaten.

•  Avoid foods from deli counters such as deli meats, luncheon meats, hot dogs as they contain listeria. Even if you want to eat them do not eat hot dogs, pates, deli meats, luncheon meats and cold cuts unless they’re reheated until steaming hot. The internal temperature of the meat should be 165°F or 74°C. While your pregnant never eat hot dogs straight from the package. Hot dogs have to be cooked thoroughly. The middle of the hot dog should be steaming hot or 74°C (165°F). They could contain Listeria.

•  Avoid spreading fluid from hot dog and deli meat packages onto other food, cutting boards, utensils, dishes and food preparation surfaces.

•  Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and from cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods.

•  Wash your hands thoroughly after touching raw meats, deli or luncheon meats, or raw vegetables.

•  Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood unless it’s in a cooked dish, such as a casserole. (Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, or mackerel, is most often labeled as “nova-style,” “lox,” “kippered,” “smoked,” or “jerky.” These types of fish are found in the refrigerator section or sold at deli counters of grocery stores and delicatessens.)  Canned smoked seafood is fine to eat.

•  Avoid refrigerated smoked or precooked seafood such as shrimp, crab and deli seafood salads.

•  Avoid raw or undercooked seafood (e.g., sushi, sushami or ceviche).

•  Avoid Raw Sprouts And Salads such as alfalfa, clover, radish, mung beans and sprouts. As they carry listeria. These bacteria can get into sprout seeds and are “nearly impossible” to wash out. Avoid packaged spinach, lettuce for the same reason. The FDA recommends that pregnant women request that raw sprouts not be added to their food. It’s OK to eat thoroughly cooked sprouts, according to the FDA. Salads contain raw vegetables which can carry listeria.

•  Commercially sold unpasteurized fruit juices have to be avoided as they could contain listeria.

It takes just a little extra effort and vigilance to follow these guidelines in your own home.

When you eat out, it’s difficult to have control over how your food is prepared. You may need to be more cautious about where you eat and the foods you choose. When ordering don’t be afraid to ask about ingredients. But you shouldn’t feel too scared to eat out at all.

The good news is that the infection is actually very uncommon (0.012 percent). Listeriosis is a serious concern during pregnancy, but the incidence of number of listeria infections during pregnancy is extremely low compared to the number of unaffected pregnancies every year. Even if you inadvertently eat any of the foods that may contain listeria, your actual risk of infection is still quite low.

Listeria is found in so many different foods, so you can’t avoid eating all foods known to contain it. Foods thought to be virtually free of listeria include chocolate, marmalade, cookies, raw carrots, raw apples, and raw tomatoes.

Can listeriosis be treated?

When infection occurs during pregnancy, antibiotics given promptly to the pregnant woman can often prevent infection of the fetus or newborn. Babies with listeriosis receive the same antibiotics as adults, although a combination of antibiotics is often used until physicians are certain of the diagnosis. Even with prompt treatment, some infections result in death. This is particularly likely in persons with other serious medical problems.

Following the best hygiene and cleanliness you can during your pregnancy will help protect you against listeriosis, as well as other common infections such as colds, which can be even more burdensome than usual if your body is already dealing with the profound changes of pregnancy.

During your pregnancy you need to be careful with your diet. Your baby’s health is directly dependent on the food you ingest. What you eat and drink influences your child’s health, possibly forever. Certain foods are potentially harmful, especially during pregnancy and these foods should be avoided during pregnancy. These foods should be avoided in order to reduce the risk of exposure to substances that may be harmful to the developing fetus. This includes food pathogens and toxic food components, alcohol, and dietary supplements such as vitamin A. Pregnant women should pay special attention to food hygiene during pregnancy to prevent infections. Your baby is also sensitive to toxins from the food that you eat, such as mercury in certain kinds of fish.

Understanding what foods to avoid during pregnancy can help you make the healthiest choices for you and your baby. It’ll help to ensure that you and your unborn baby stay healthy and safe. Avoid a few foods that pose a potential threat to you and your baby.

Potentially Harmful Foods During Pregnancy

The foods you should avoid during pregnancy are:

•  Animal products such as liver, liver products, fish liver Oil
•  Foods that contain harmful pathogens and cause food poisoning
•  Raw or rare, undercooked meat and sea food
•  Raw or rare, undercooked eggs or any food that contain raw eggs
•  Pre packed salads and meats
•  Smoked sea food
•  Fish and shellfish high in mercury such as shark, mackerel, swordfish and tilefish
•  Cheeses from unpasteurized or raw milk.
•  Foods that may cause allergy
•  Raw sprouts and salads
•  Unpasteurized milk products such as soft cheeses and cheese from unpasteurized milk or raw milk
•  Avoid refrigerated pâtés and meat spreads
•  Avoid unpasteurized milk and milk products from unpasteurized milk

Drinks to limit and avoid during pregnancy:
•  Coffee
•  Alcohol
•  Unpasteurized milk
•  Unpasteurized juices

Avoid Animal Products Such As Liver, Liver Products And Cod Liver Oil

Don’t eat liver or liver products, such as liver pâté or liver sausage, fish liver oil as they may contain a lot of vitamin A. Animal products such as liver contain extremely high amounts of Vitamin A, more than 10 times the amount recommended for a pregnant woman. Cod liver oil, fish liver oil supplements and any supplements containing vitamin A is also best avoided during pregnancy as they contain high amounts of Vitamin A. And check out the label on your prenatal vitamins to make sure you’re not getting too much Vitamin A. Avoid high-dose multivitamin supplements as these supplements could contain high amounts of Vitamin A. Too much vitamin A can harm your baby.

Vitamin A is obtained in two forms through food. The preformed vitamin (retinol), that can be found in some animal products such as liver and fish liver oils, and as a vitamin A precursor in the form of carotenes, which can be found in many fruits and vegetables. It is the preformed vitamin (retinol) that has to be avoided during pregnancy. Excessive amounts of vitamin A in non-beta-carotene form can cause birth defects.

Consuming more than 10,000 international units (IUs) of Vitamin A daily (the recommended daily allowance for pregnant women is 2,500 IU) was linked to birth defects in one study. Women who are pregnant, or who could become pregnant, are advised not to take 10,000 or more IU per day of vitamin A because of the risk of birth defects.

Avoid Foods That Contain Harmful Pathogens And Cause Food Poisoning

Pregnant women are advised to avoid certain foods during pregnancy in order to minimize the risk of food poisoning from potentially harmful pathogens such as listeria, toxoplasma, and salmonella. During pregnancy, you’re at increased risk of bacterial food poisoning. Even a mild form of infection in a pregnant woman can lead to infection of the fetus. Food poisoning can affect the baby as the infection moves into the baby through the placenta. Pregnant women are advised to avoid foods which contain high level of food borne bacteria. These pathogens can cause pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, preterm labour and lead to still birth or severe illness in a newborn baby.

Avoid Raw Sprouts And Salads

Pregnant women should avoid raw sprouts such as alfalfa, clover, radish, mung beans and sprouts. As they carry Listeriosis causing bacteria Listeria. Listeria can cause miscarriage. Listeria has the ability to cross the placenta and may infect the baby leading to infection or blood poisoning, which can be life-threatening. These bacteria can get into sprout seeds and are “nearly impossible” to wash out. Avoid packaged spinach, lettuce for the same reason. The FDA recommends that pregnant women request that raw sprouts not be added to their food. It’s OK to eat thoroughly cooked sprouts, according to the FDA.

Salads contain raw vegetables which can carry bacteria which cause food borne illness such as listeriosis ans toxoplasmosis.

Avoid Raw Or Very Rare Or Undercooked Meat And Sea Food

Avoid raw meat, rare meats and under cooked meat – poultry, beef, pork and raw, rare, undercooked seafood as they contain bacteria such as listeria, toxoplasma and salmonella that can infect you and in turn your baby. Foods that contain raw meat like sushi also have to be avoided.

How to reduce bacterial infection from meat and sea food?

•  Cook meat and seafood well. Cook all meat until there are no pink bits left. Invest in a food thermometer to check the temperatures of cooked food.

•  To avoid bacteria contamination, store all meats and fish in the refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

•  Cook meats until an internal thermometer reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit (145 degrees Fahrenheit for steaks, veal, roasts, and lamb).

•  Cook most fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63°C). Seafood have to be cooked to a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F). The fish is done when it separates into flakes and appears opaque throughout.

•  Cook shrimp, lobster and scallops until they’re milky white. Cook clams, mussels and oysters until their shells open. Discard any that don’t open.

•  While you’re pregnant, avoid all raw and undercooked seafood. Both fresh and frozen fish must be properly prepared to eliminate viral or bacterial contamination.

•  There are some guidelines you can follow to further reduce your risk, such as eating hot food immediately after heating.

•  Listeria are destroyed by heat and therefore pregnant women are advised to reheat ready-prepared meals thoroughly.

•  When ordering out at a restaurant, ask for your hamburger or steak well- done. Don’t be afraid to send it back if it’s still pink inside.

Avoid Raw Shellfish

The majority of seafood-borne illness is caused by undercooked shellfish, which include oysters, clams, and mussels. Cooking helps prevent some types of infection, but it does not prevent the algae-related infections that are associated with red tides. Hence, raw shellfish should be avoided altogether during pregnancy.

Avoid Smoked Seafood

Avoid smoked seafood, refrigerated smoked seafood, often labeled as lox, nova style, kippered, or jerky should be avoided because it could be contaminated with Listeria. It’s OK to eat smoked seafood if it’s an ingredient in a casserole or other cooked dish. Canned and shelf-stable smoked seafood is usually OK to eat. Refrigerated smoked seafood can be eaten safely when fully cooked to a safe internal temperature, such as in a casserole. Luncheon meats and frankfurters are OK to eat if you reheat them until they are steaming hot.

Avoid Raw Eggs Or Undercooked Eggs Or Any Food That Contain Raw Eggs

Raw eggs or undercooked eggs or any food that contain raw eggs should be avoided because of the potential exposure to salmonella. Salmonella poisoning is most likely to come from raw eggs or lightly cooked eggs. Fully cook your eggs till they are hard. Make sure that eggs are thoroughly cooked until the whites and yolks are solid. This prevents the risk of salmonella food poisoning. Avoid homemade Caesar dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custards, and Hollandaise sauces that may be made with raw eggs.

Commercially manufactured ice cream, dressings, and eggnog are made with pasteurized eggs and do not increase the risk of salmonella. When you eat in a restaurant order the dishes that use pasteurized eggs. Restaurants should be using pasteurized eggs in any recipe that is made with raw eggs, such as Hollandaise sauce or dressings.

Homemade eggnog must be heated to 71°C (160°F). Pasteurized egg products can be used when making uncooked food that calls for raw eggs. If the recipe is cooked at some point, the exposure to salmonella will be reduced.

Avoid cake batter, raw cookie dough as well.

Deli Meats

Deli meats have been known to be contaminated with listeria. So, while you are pregnant if you are considering eating deli meats, make certain that you reheat the meat until it is steaming. The internal temperature of the meat should be 165 °F.

Hot Dogs

While your pregnant never eat them straight from the package. Hot dogs have to be cooked thoroughly. The middle of the hot dog should be steaming hot or 74°C (165°F). They could contain Listeria.

Avoid Refrigerated Pâtés And Meat Spreads

Refrigerated pate or meat spreads should be avoided because they may contain the bacteria listeria. Avoid all types of pâté, including vegetable pâtés. Canned pate, or shelf-safe meat spreads can be eaten.

Avoid Unpasteurized Milk And Milk Products From Unpasteurized Milk

Make sure that any milk you drink is pasteurized. Don’t drink raw (unpasteurized) cow’s, goats’ or sheep’s milk. Don’t eat food that is made out of them, such as soft goats’ cheese. Boil it first. Unpasteurized food products can lead to food borne illness.

Most milk products are pasteurized before they are shipped to your local supermarket, that is the milk used to produce the product is heated up to a temperature that kills bacteria. But some milk products such as soft cheeses such as brie, feta, gorgonzola, Camembert, and Roquefort, are unpasteurized. Unpasteurized milk and milk products contain a bacteria called Listeria which causes listeriosis.

These soft cheeses may contain harmful bacteria Listeria because of the way these cheeses are made.  You would have to avoid soft cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Feta, Gorgonzola, Camembert, Blue cheese and Mexican style cheeses, that include queso blanco, panela and queso fresco, as these cheeses are made by mould ripening. Unless they clearly state that they are made from pasteurized milk do not consume them.

All soft non-imported cheeses made with pasteurized milk are safe to eat. Read labels carefully and unless these soft cheeses are clearly labeled as being pasteurized or made with pasteurized milk, don’t eat them. Ask about the pasteurization status of the foods you order in restaurants.

Avoid Cheeses From Unpasteurized Or Raw Milk

Processed and pasteurized cheeses are safe and these cheeses are also a great source of both protein and calcium. But unpasteurized cheeses are potentially harmful. Cheeses made from unpasteurized milk or raw milk may contain bacteria, such as Listeria, salmonella, and E. coli.

The FDA mandates that all cheeses sold in the United States be either made from pasteurized milk or aged more than 60 days. This makes the likelihood of listeria in it extremely low, so most cheeses you buy at your
local market are safe. Just check the label to be sure.

Avoid Fish And Seafood High In Mercury

Seafood can be a great source of protein, and the omega-3 fatty acids in many fish can promote your baby’s brain development. Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet. However, some fish and shellfish contain potentially dangerous levels of mercury.

The FDA currently recommends you avoid fish with high levels of mercury when you’re pregnant. These fish contain unsafe levels of mercury. These fish absorb the mercury from contaminated water. The mercury binds tightly to the proteins in fish muscle and remains there even after the fish is cooked. Mercury may harm an unborn baby. Too much mercury could damage your baby’s developing nervous system. Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays, problems with fine motor skills and brain damage.

The bigger and older the fish, the more mercury it’s likely to contain. Fish that contain high levels of mercury should be avoided. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourage pregnant women to avoid:

•  Swordfish
•  Shark
•  King mackerel
•  Tilefish

The FDA and EPA say pregnant women can safely eat up to 12 ounces (340 grams) of seafood low in mercury in a week. That’s about two average meals of:

•  Shrimp (farmed and wild)
•  Crab
•  Because albacore (white) tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna, the FDA recommends that pregnant women limit albacore tuna to no more than 6 ounces a week, and include it in the 12-ounce limit.
•  Salmon
•  Pollock
•  Catfish
•  Cod
•  Tilapia
•  Sardines

Certain types of fish used in sushi should also be avoided due to high levels of mercury.

The limitations are due to the fact that even fish that is low in mercury isn’t mercury-free, so mercury consumption could add up to a significant amount if fish were eaten in large quantities. The risks from mercury in fish and shellfish depend on the amount of fish and shellfish eaten and the levels of mercury in the fish and shellfish.

You can eat fish as part of a healthy diet, but follow the guidelines to avoid mercury toxicity. You can supplement fish intake with daily DHA or fish oil supplements.

Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. They may contain industrial pollutants. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don’t consume any other fish during that week.

Avoid fish from contaminated lakes and rivers that may be exposed to high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls. This is primarily for those who fish in local lakes and streams. These fish include: bluefish, striped bass, salmon, pike, trout, and walleye.

Drinks To Limit And Avoid

Coffee

Studies have show that large amounts of caffeine intake during pregnancy is associated with miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and withdrawal symptoms in infants. Avoid caffeine during the first trimester to reduce the likelihood of a miscarriage. Studies have shown that pregnant women who drink eight or more cups of coffee a day may be at a higher risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, or fetal deaths. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it helps eliminate fluids from the body. This can result in water and calcium loss. The safest thing is to refrain from consuming caffeine.

You should limit caffeine intake during pregnancy – don’t have more than 200 mg of caffeine a day that is two cups of coffee. That’s about the amount found in 12 ounces of coffee.  It is important that you are drinking plenty of water, juice, and milk rather than caffeinated beverages. Caffeine is found naturally in some foods and is added to some soft drinks. Avoid such caffeinated drinks.

Alcohol

There is NO amount of alcohol that is known to be safe any time during pregnancy, and therefore alcohol should be avoided altogether during pregnancy. You should avoid drinking alcohol if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Giving up alcohol while your trying to conceive will optimize fertility.

Every time you drink a beer or a glass of wine it passes right into your baby through the placenta. Alcohol (beer, wine) robs developing cells of oxygen and nutrients, preventing normal fetal development.  Prenatal exposure to alcohol can interfere with the healthy development of the baby and the effects on intellectual abilities and physical growth are permanent. Too much exposure to alcohol can seriously affect your baby’s development and can lead to a condition known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which can impair your baby’s growth and development and can cause permanent brain damage. Continuous heavy drinking in pregnancy leads to a condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome and the effects of this include retarded growth, facial and joint abnormalities, and heart problems.

You should continue to avoid alcohol during breastfeeding. Exposure of alcohol to an infant poses harmful risks, and alcohol does reach the baby during breastfeeding.

Unpasteurized Juices And Unpasteurized Fruit Juice

Some of the drinks sold in shops are unpasteurized juices, avoid them. Commercially sold unpasteurized fruit juices have to be avoided. Unpasteurized juices such as cider have to be avoided. Check the label to be sure the juice is pasteurized. Pasteurized fruit juice and cider are pasteurized by boiling to a high temperature and cooled. These unpasteurized drinks contain harmful bacteria such as Listeria and E. coli.

Foods That May Cause Food Allergy

If you, your child’s father, or one of your other children has food allergies, your baby is more likely to have food allergies.

Avoiding certain food allergens, such as peanuts and peanut products, during pregnancy and when breastfeeding may reduce allergy in susceptible children.

Before changing your diet, talk to your doctor about your family history of allergies and asthma, and speak with a registered dietitian who is knowledgeable about food allergies.

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Air travel during pregnancy: Is it safe?

Air travel during pregnancy poses no special risks to a healthy pregnant woman and her fetus. Hence, commercial air travel during pregnancy is considered safe for women who have healthy pregnancies. Flying is not harmful to you or your baby. Still, if you’re pregnant, it’s best to check with your health care provider before you fly. Women with any health issue or pregnancy complication need to discuss with their doctor before they fly.

Avoid excessive flying. There are no hard and fast numbers. The rate of miscarriage was high in flight attendants who flew on average 74 hours per month.

The best time to fly during pregnancy

Pregnant women who are healthy and pregnant with single baby can fly safely up to 36 weeks of pregnancy. However, the safest time for a pregnant woman to travel by air is during her second trimester, provided she isn’t experiencing any complications. Try to do the majority of your traveling in the second trimester. Not only will you be more comfortable, the risk of first trimester – miscarriage and risk of third trimester – preterm labor can be avoided. Air travel in the last six weeks of pregnancy could trigger premature labour. The likelihood of going into labour is naturally high after 37 weeks (around 34 weeks if you’re carrying twins).

Hence, the best time to fly is from about weeks 14 to 28, in the middle of your pregnancy. This is when you’re likely to feel your best, and the risks of miscarriage and premature labor are the lowest.

Who should avoid air travel: Women with high-risk pregnancies

Pregnant women experiencing complications with their pregnancy are advised not to travel. Air travel during pregnancy might increase the risk of complications for such women. Some of these complications include:

•  Cervical problems, such as ‘incompetent cervix’

•  Vaginal bleeding

•  Multiple foetuses

•  If you are aged 35 years or over and pregnant for the first time

•  Gestational diabetes, past or present

•  High blood pressure, past or present

•  Pre-eclampsia, past or present

•  Abnormalities of the placenta, past or present

•  Prior miscarriage

•  Prior ectopic pregnancy

•  Prior premature labour.

•  Sickle cell disease

•  Clotting disorders

•  Placental insufficiency

•  Severe anemia

•  History of thrombophlebitis

All these are contraindications to flying. If you are experiencing any of the above complications and considering air travel, you must consult with your doctor, as you are having a high-risk pregnancy.

Pregnant women with placental abnormalities or risks for premature labor should avoid air travel. Pregnant women should avoid travel of any type after 36 weeks of pregnancy and if they are at risk of preterm delivery.

You should also take into consideration the standard of medical care at your chosen destination, just in case you need help.

Airlines and their policies

Each airline has policies regarding pregnancy and flying. Check with the airlines for their policy on flying during pregnancy when booking reservations, because some will require medical forms to be completed.

Most airlines allow domestic travel until the pregnant traveler is in week 36 of pregnancy, and international travel may be permitted until weeks 32–35, depending on the airline. Expectant mothers may be permitted to fly flights, till the end of 35 weeks of pregnancy provided there are no prior complications. However, after week 28 of pregnancy, the airline may ask for a letter from your doctor or midwife confirming your due date, and that you aren’t at risk of complications. A confirmation that you are fit to travel by air. A pregnant woman should be advised to carry documentation stating the expected day of delivery, contact information for her obstetric provider, and her blood type.

Some airlines won’t allow a pregnant woman over 35 weeks of pregnancy to fly. Expectant mothers between the 36th week till 38th week of pregnancy may be permitted to fly provided the expectant mother has a ‘Fitness to Fly’ certificate from her treating obstetrician or is accompanied by a doctor. For pregnant flight attendants and pilots, work-related air travel is restricted by most airlines by 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Things to do before you fly:

•  Talk to your practitioner before flying.

If you are pregnant and considering travel, you must consult with your doctor, especially if your pregnancy is high-risk. Before planning your trip, consult with your doctor to discuss any potential risks particular to your pregnancy. For example, a woman with gestational diabetes or multiple fetuses is generally advised not to fly.

•  Check the airline’s policy about air travel during pregnancy.

If you are into 36 weeks of pregnancy, many airlines will not let you fly for fear that you’ll deliver on board. Guidelines for pregnant women may vary according to airlines and destination.

•  Choose your seat carefully.

Make comfort arrangements. Try to get seats with more leg room. An aisle seat at the bulkhead or a seat near an exit will provide the most space and comfort, but a seat over the wing in the midplane region will give the smoothest ride. It is better to arrange with the airline a bulkhead seat for extra leg room.

•  Arrange for supplemental oxygen if required

If supplemental oxygen is required during flight because of preexisting medical conditions, arrangements for oxygen need to be made in advance.

•  Avoid travel to countries that would require immunization.

Precautions to take while you fly:

Flying is perfectly safe, especially if you take a couple of precautions. There are some precautions that a pregnant traveler should consider while flying:

•  Promote circulation.

Prolonged periods of sitting can cause blood to pool in your legs. During a smooth flight if possible take occasional walks up and down the aisle. During longer flights it is important that you get up from your seat occasionally and walk around the plane. Walking around keeps your circulation going. If you must remain seated, flex and extend your ankles often to prevent phlebitis.

•  How to buckle up.

Wear your seat belt under your belly and across your lap.

•  Drink plenty of fluids.

Airplane air is always very dry. Planes can’t carry enough water to keep the humidity up, because the extra water would add too much cargo weight. The relative humidity in airplanes is typically lower than in the Sahara desert. Because airplane air is so dry, you can easily become dehydrated during long flights. Drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of dehydration. Carry a water bottle with you and drink water frequently.

Dehydration can lead to decreased placental blood flow and hemoconcentration, increasing risk of thrombosis. Thus, pregnant women should drink plenty of fluids during flights.

•  Prevent DVT while flying

Keeping up your fluid intake will also reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Long-distance travel carries a small risk of blood clots (DVT) in pregnant women especially if you travel longer than five hours.

To prevent DVT while flying:

• Drink plenty of water
• Move about regularly every 30 minutes or so.
• Buy a pair of support stockings which will reduce leg swelling.

Drinking extra water also ensures that you get up frequently to go to the restroom, which keeps the blood from pooling in your legs.

There are no complications that can arise in a healthy pregnant lady due to air travel

Decreased air pressure during flight

Decreased air pressure during flight may slightly reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood, but this isn’t likely to cause problems if you’re otherwise healthy. The lowered cabin pressure (kept at the equivalent of 5,000–8,000 ft [about 1,500–2,400 m]) has minimal effect on fetal oxygenation because of the favorable fetal hemoglobin-oxygen dynamics.

Airport security radiation exposure

Airport security radiation exposure is minimal for pregnant women and has not been linked to an increase in adverse outcomes for unborn children. However, because of early reports of a possible association of radiation exposure during pregnancy with subsequent increased risk of childhood leukemia and cancer, a pregnant passenger may request a hand or wand search rather than being exposed to the radiation of the airport
security machines.

In-flight radiation have shown to have a slight increase in potential problems. The radiation exposure associated with air travel at high altitudes is thought to be problematic for frequent fliers. Pilots, flight attendants and others who fly often might be exposed to more radiation than is considered safe during pregnancy. If you must fly frequently during your pregnancy, discuss it with your health care provider. He or she might limit your total flight time during pregnancy.

However, studies have shown that problems were more related to the length of time in the air, the route flown, and other flight phenomena.

Airport Metal Detectors

You don’t need to worry about airport metal detectors or any other metal detectors because they don’t use ionizing radiation. (The conveyor belt that carries your luggage after you check in does use ionizing radiation, however, you won’t be climbing onto the counter and sending yourself through that machine.)

Prolonged air travel like in flight attendants have proven a slight increase in first trimester miscarriage, but this was for the flight attendants who worked a greater number of hours. From the medical literature, it has been concluded that flying is fairly safe while pregnant, even for the flight attendants, with some minor adjustments. Considering that the average passengers don’t fly for extended periods.

Vaccinations

If you plan to visit tropical countries, where some diseases are particularly prevalent, you may want to be vaccinated before you go. You are generally advised to avoid travelling to countries where immunization is required.

If you have to travel then check with your doctor to see whether any vaccines you’re considering are safe to have during pregnancy. Vaccines are not recommended because of concerns that the virus or bacteria in the vaccine could harm the baby in the womb. Most vaccines are either dangerous to unborn babies or haven’t been adequately tested for safety on pregnant women. Generally, all live virus vaccines (such as mumps and measles) should be avoided during pregnancy. Some vaccines, such as yellow fever, may cautiously be given after the first trimester. Be advised by your doctor.

The risk of malaria

It is recommended that pregnant women avoid travelling to areas where malaria is present. Malaria is an infection carried by particular species of mosquito. A pregnant woman who catches malaria risks miscarriage, premature labour and stillbirth. Some antimalarial drugs (such as chloroquine) are considered safe to take during pregnancy, but others (such as doxycycline) are potentially harmful to the unborn baby.

Your medical kit for air travel

Discuss with your doctor the things you may need to carry to access during the flight. Your medical kit should contain:

•  Preparations to help you treat common pregnancy complaints, such as heartburn, constipation and haemorrhoids.

•  Tablets to deal with air sickness

If you’re prone to air sickness and have found dramamine helpful in the past, using it in normal doses while you’re pregnant is okay.

•  Oral rehydration preparations in case of travellers’ diarrhoea. Pregnant women should be careful about taking drugs commonly used to treat travellers’ diarrhoea.

•  Multivitamin tablets formulated for pregnancy.

•  Urine dipsticks to check glucose levels if you are having gestational diabetes.

Baby with congenital toxoplasmosis

Congenital toxoplasmosis is a group of symptoms that occur when an unborn baby (fetus) is infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

Cause and incidence

During pregnancy if the mother becomes infected with toxoplasmosis the developing baby can become infected. The infection may spread to the developing baby during the pregnancy itself, or during labor or delivery through the placenta.

The toxoplasmosis infection in the mother is generally mild, and she may not be aware of it. Infection of the developing baby can cause severe problems. Infection in early pregnancy results in more severe problems than infection in later pregnancy.

Complications in the babies due to the infection

Half of the developing babies who get infected with toxoplasmosis during the pregnancy are born prematurely. Congenital toxoplasmosis can damage the baby’s eyes, nervous system, skin, and ears.

Complications include:

•   Enlarged liver and spleen

•   Vision problems: Eye damage from inflammation of the retina or other parts of the eye which can lead to blindness or severe visual disability.

•   Feeding problems

•   Hearing loss

•   Jaundice (yellow skin)

•   Low birth weight (intrauterine growth restriction)

•   Skin rash (tiny red spots or bruising) at birth

•   Hydrocephalus

Brain and nervous system damage ranges from very mild to severe, and may include:

•   Seizures

•   Severe mental retardation or other neurological problems

Signs of infection in the new born

The health care provider will examine the baby after birth. Often, there are signs of infection in the baby at birth. However, newborns with milder infections may not have symptoms or problems for months or even years. If the babies are not treated, they develop problems especially in the eyes when they become adolescents.

The baby may have:

•   Yellow skin (jaundice)

•   Inflammation of the eyes

•   Large head size (macrocephaly) or smaller-than-normal head size (microcephaly)

•   Diarrhea or vomiting

•   Fluid on the brain (hydrocephalus)

•   Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)

•   Swollen spleen and liver

Tests done to detect infection in the fetus

An invasive prenatal testing, postnatal or neonatal screening is done to check the fetus.

Tests done during pregnancy to detect infection include:

•   Detection of infection by checking for the presence of antibody for Toxoplasma gondii in the mother by testing mother’s blood.

•   Amniotic fluid testing and fetal blood testing

•   Ultrasound of the abdomen

After birth, the following tests may be done on the baby:

•   Antibody studies on cord blood and cerebrospinal fluid

•   CT scan of the brain

•   MRI scan of the brain

•   Neurological exams

•   Standard eye exam

•   Toxoplasmosis test

Treatment

An infection in the baby can be very serious since a baby’s immune system does not develop fully for the first year of life, and the resilient cysts that form throughout the body are very difficult to eradicate with anti-protozoans.

Spiramycin can treat infection in the pregnant mother. Pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine can treat fetal infection diagnosed during the pregnancy.

Treatment of infants with congenital toxoplasmosis typically includes pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and leucovorin for one year. Infants are also sometimes given steroids if their vision is threatened or if the protein level in the spinal fluid is high.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are pregnant and think you are at risk for toxoplasmosis. You are at high risk if you have a cat and your the person who cleans the litter box. Do not change the litter while your pregnant, ask some one else to do it.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are pregnant and have not received any prenatal care.

Prevention

By following safe food preparation and hygiene practices pregnant women can prevent infection by toxoplasma. Your health-care provider should test for Toxoplasma infection before pregnancy or at your first prenatal visit. A simple blood test is performed and your doctor can determine if you are at risk for infection by toxoplasma.

Pregnant women who have pet cats are at increased risk of developing toxoplasmosis. They should avoid contact with any material that are potentially infected with cat feces. Cook meat until it is well done, and wash your hands after handling raw meat.

Treatment of pregnant women infected with toxoplasma is very important to prevent infection of the fetus.

Fish In Your Pregnancy Diet

Fish in your pregnancy diet: A source of omega-3 fatty acids and a killer for mercury,a double-edged sword? One thing you need to be careful about including in your diet during pregnancy is fish.  Read on to find out why.

Fish is a great source of protein and vitamins, and is also low in fat. In fact, the high levels of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and other nutrients make fish an excellent food for pregnant mothers and their developing babies. Fish and shellfish are thus an important part of a healthy diet.

Fish as source of omega-3 fatty acids

Adding fish to your diet is a great way to boost your omega-3 fatty acids. Several studies have also shown that taking fish oil supplements, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, is associated with a longer pregnancy and higher birth weight. Because omega-3 fatty acids are a component of brain tissue, it has been hypothesized that the developing brain of a fetus could benefit from high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

The Problem With Fish: Fishes contain high levels of mercury that can harm your unborn baby

Fish and seafood are an important part of a balanced diet for pregnant women and those of childbearing age who may become pregnant. But there’s a serious downside to eating fish.

All fishes contain trace amounts of mercury. Some fish, however, contain high amounts of mercury. This is especially dangerous for pregnant and breastfeeding women because fetuses and newborns are very sensitive to mercury. Mercury in these fishes may harm an unborn baby in many ways. High levels of mercury can interfere with a fetus’s developing nervous system and brain. Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. Hence, the FDA currently recommends you to avoid fish with high levels of mercury when you’re pregnant. The benefits of eating fish can be counteracted by mercury which the fish accumulate.

It is still not clear if mercury leads to certain childhood developmental delays or problems with fine motor skills. Hence, when your including fish in your diet during pregnancy you need to be very careful about the kind of fish and the amount of fish in your diet.

Fishes to avoid: Fish that are high in mercury

Some fish contain high amounts of mercury. Eating the wrong kinds of fish can raise the level of mercury in your body. Fish that pose risk are large and long lived fish. Fishes absorb the mercury from contaminated water and accumulate more and more mercury over time in their bodies from the environment. The mercury binds tightly to the proteins in fish muscle and remains there even after the fish is cooked.

Which Fish Have the Most Mercury?

While your pregnant do not eat certain fish like Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children should avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish due to high levels of mercury in these fish.

Fishes that are safe: Fishes low in mercury

Fortunately, the most popular fishes, such as tuna and salmon, have lower levels of mercury and are safe to eat during pregnancy. Fishes that are low in mercury are salmon, haddock, tilapia, cod, sole, and shrimp, pollock, sardine, trout, whitefish, herring, trout and catfish. Choose these low in mercury fishes during pregnancy.

The FDA characterizes shrimp, catfish, pollock, salmon, sardines, and canned light tuna as low-mercury seafood. Crab, oyster, scallop, squid are low in mercury. Many of the fish chosen for sushi contain high levels of mercury.

How much of any fish is safe?

Even fish that is low in mercury isn’t mercury-free, so if fish are eaten in large quantities, mercury intake could add up to a significant amount. The risks from mercury in fish and shellfish depend on the amount of fish and shellfish eaten and the levels of mercury in the fish and shellfish. Hence, even safer fishes should be eaten only in moderation.

How much of fish you need to consume during pregnancy?

Even fish that is low in mercury isn’t mercury-free. Methylmercury and elemental mercury can be toxic to a fetus or young children. That is why pregnant and nursing mothers must be very careful about the amounts and types of fish they eat. FDA recommends that women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant within the next one or two years, as well as young children should not eat more than 2 servings – 12 ounces (340 grams) of fish each week. They should include only those fish with low mercury content.

According to the FDA guidelines pregnant women can enjoy up to 12 ounces that is 2 servings of COOKED fish and shellfish lower in mercury each week.

Pregnant women should not consume more than two servings of fish per week. If your fish consumption exceeds the recommended level in a week, there’s no need for concern, simply cut back the following week. The most important thing is how your intake averages out over the weeks and months of your pregnancy.

When you eat fish twice a week, include one portion of oily fish such as sardines as thay contain omega-3 fatty acids. Oily fishes offer the benefits of omega-3 oils while avoiding any potential harmful effects. Fatty fish with low mercury content such as salmon are good for reducing cardiovascular risk.

Do not cut out fish from your diet

Do not give up fish during pregnancy altogether because of your concern for mercury. Pregnant women cutting fish out of their diets would leave out a prime source of nutrients that are important for a baby’s development.

Two recent studies looking at fish consumption in pregnant women showed that women who eat fish may actually have lower rates of preterm delivery, and their children may have higher IQs than those who do not eat fish.

In a perfect world, consuming fish every day would be ideal for boosting your omega-3 fats. As a compromise, you can eat a couple of servings of low-mercury fish per week and supplementing your diet with DHA or fish oil supplements or DHA-enriched eggs.

How fish accumalate mercury?

Fish and shellfish concentrate mercury in their bodies, often in the form of methylmercury, a highly toxic organic compound of mercury. Methyl mercury that may harm an unborn baby’s developing nervous system. Mercury and methylmercury is present in only very small concentrations in seawater. Much of the mercury, an estimated 40% that eventually finds its way into fish originates with coal-burning power plants and chlorine production plants. Small fish absorb methylmercury from water as they feed on aquatic organisms. The longer the fish lives the more methylmercury the fish accumulates in its body. Large, long-lived fish that feed on other fish (high in the food chain) accumulate the highest levels of methylmercury as they are high on the food chain. Species of fish that are long-lived such as tuna, shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish contain higher concentrations of mercury than others. The older such fish become, the more mercury they may have absorbed. When these fish are consumed by humans they also consume the higher level of mercury the fish have accumulated. This process explains why predatory fish such as swordfish and sharks have higher concentrations of mercury in their tissue than could be accounted for by direct exposure alone. This is called biomagnification.

Precautions to take while eating fish caught locally

Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught locally in local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If you can’t find any information about a particular type of fish, eat only up to six ounces of it, one average meal of fish per week and don’t consume any other fish during that week.

Fish Exposed to Industrial Pollutants

Avoid fish from contaminated lakes and rivers that may be exposed to high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls. This is primarily for those who fish in local lakes and streams. Contact the local health department or Environmental Protection Agency to determine which fish are safe to eat in your area. This is applicable only for fish caught in local waters and not for fish from your local grocery store.

Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy

Questions about drinking alcohol during pregnancy are very common, so here we provide the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Q: I drank alcohol before I knew I was pregnant? Will my baby be OK? Will my baby have birth defects?

A: No evidence exists that a single episode of drinking has any increased risk of adverse effects on pregnancy. We don’t know for sure what a few drinks over a short period early in pregnancy can do to a developing baby. That’s why the Department of Health recommends that you give up drinking before getting pregnant. If you were not aware that you were pregnant and drank alcohol, now that you know you’re pregnant, the best thing you can do now is STOP drinking.

Q:   Is hard liquor worse for the baby than wine or beer?

A: They’re all considered the same risk. A can of beer, a glass of wine, and a mixed drink with one ounce of hard liquor contain roughly the same amounts of alcohol. All drinks that contain alcohol can be harmful to your baby.

Q:   My sister’s getting married. Can’t I have even ONE glass of champagne at her wedding?

A: Some people may tell you that it’s bad luck not to partake during the toast to the bride at a wedding. But there is no known safe amount of alcohol to consume while you are pregnant. Your number-one job as a mom-to-be is to provide as safe and as nurturing an environment as possible to your kid. What your kid needs is imperative. A little carelessness from your side can impair your child for life.

If you really feel you must, wet your lips out of someone else’s glass. That way, you won’t be tempted to overindulge.

Q:   My doctor suggested I have a glass of wine on the evening after my amniocentesis. Is this okay?

A: Alcohol is a tocolytic, which basically means that it relaxes the uterus. After amniocentesis, many women feel a little uterine cramping. The alcohol in a glass of wine minimizes that discomfort without hurting the baby.

If you are drinking with friends find a non-alcoholic drink that you enjoy and don’t let people pressurise
you into drinking. And remember all drinks that contain alcohol can be harmful to your baby.

Why is drinking alcohol during pregnancy a problem?

Drinking alcohol any time during your pregnancy can affect your baby. Every time a pregnant woman drinks, her fetus is exposed to alcohol. When you drink, alcohol passes from your blood through the placenta to your baby. Since, alcohol crosses the placental barrier it can directly interfere with your baby’s development. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can effect development of your baby and too much of exposure to alcohol can seriously affect your baby’s development. It results in irreversible damage during your baby’s development.

A baby’s liver is one of the last organs to develop fully and does not mature until the last half of pregnancy. Hence, your baby cannot process alcohol as well as you can and alcohol breaks down much more slowly. This causes the alcohol to stay in the baby’s blood much longer than in the mother’s blood.

Because of this risk, avoid drinking alcohol if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Effects of alcohol on your baby

Effect of alcohol during early pregnancy: Causes miscarriage

Drinking alcohol can lead to spontaneous abortion and other pregnancy complications. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) advises pregnant women to avoid alcohol in the first three months of pregnancy particularly, because it increases risk of miscarriage.

Damage can occur very early during an embryo’s development, so you should avoid alcohol if you may become pregnant and from the very start of pregnancy.

Effect of moderate drinking

Even moderate doses of alcohol during pregnancy effects your baby. But the effects may be more subtle, which may include small changes in brain function.

Effect of heavy drinking during pregnancy: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

If you drink heavily during pregnancy, your baby could develop a group of problems known as fetal alcohol syndrome(FAS). FAS leads to mental retardation, birth defects and developmental impairment.

Research has shown that the most severe form of alcohol’s negative effects on fetal development is FAS. Binge drinking such as drinking more than 5 drinks at one time or drinking seven or more drinks in one week, puts your baby at risk for FASD’s.

Prenatal alcohol exposure causes fetal alcohol syndrome. FAS has following effects:

Effects development of your baby

Alcohol can permanently damage your developing baby’s cells which in turn results in :

•  Developmental deficiencies: abnormal facial features, abnormalities of the limbs, Facial abnormalities

•  Effect proper development of organs: Can lead to defects such as heart defects

•  Growth deficiency: Prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to poor fetal growth and below average weight

Damages your baby’s nervous system

Heavy drinking during pregnancy results in damage of your baby’s nervous system. Alcohol has direct effects on nerve cells of your baby.

•  The main effect of FAS is permanent central nervous system damage, especially damage to the brain. Alcohol exposure at any point during pregnancy can cause fetal brain damage, since brain development is ongoing throughout pregnancy.

•  Damage to neurons and brain structures, can result in psychological or/and behavioral problems, and cause other physical damage.

•  Developing brain cells and structures can be malformed or have development interrupted by prenatal alcohol exposure; this can create an array of primary cognitive and functional disabilities such as :

ü  poor memory
ü  It can result in your baby having learning difficulties
ü  problems with movement and coordination throughout his life
ü  problems with day-to-day living
ü  attention deficits
ü  hyperactive behavior, impulsive behavior
ü  poor reasoning skills

•  It can also lead to secondary disabilities, for example, predispositions to mental health problems and drug addiction.

Is there any safe amount of alcohol to drink? Can I drink little or moderate amount of alcohol while I’m pregnant?

All pregnant women should avoid drinking alcohol. There is no known amount of alcohol that is safe to consume during pregnancy.

Medical science hasn’t defined an absolute safe level of alcohol intake during pregnancy. There is significant variation in every individual’s alcohol pharmacokinetics, that is the way each one’s body deals with alcohol is different. Hence, it is difficult to determine safe level of alcohol consumption. So, there has been much controversy over what the proper limits on drinking alcohol during pregnancy should be.

Scientific data shows that daily drinking and heavy binge drinking can lead to serious complications, although little info is available about occasional drinking. In fact, research has shown that not only binge drinking puts the baby most at risk for FASD’s, drinking less than 5 drinks at one time or drinking seven or more drinks in one week has been also known to lead to FASD.

Scientific evidence has not identified a threshold below which alcohol consumption during pregnancy is definitely safe, but neither has it shown any convincing evidence of harm at low levels of intake. This is why we don’t know what amount of alcohol can be considered safe.

The more you drink, the more you raise your baby’s chances of having problems.

Your First Act of Mommyhood

For many moderate drinkers those who enjoy a cocktail or two most weeknights and a few more on friday or saturday evening, giving up alcohol for your unborn child will constitute a major life event. But as the first step in the process of becoming a good parent, it is an absolute must. Your number-one job as a mom-to-be is to provide as safe and as nurturing an environment as possible. From this point on, what you want is irrelevant; what your kid needs is imperative.

There’s more room to wiggle on this once the baby’s actually born. A little carelessness from your side can impair your child for life and you’ll have to deal with it. So, instead of cursing yourself all your life for giving into temptations, give up alcohol with a stern mind atleast until your baby is safe and healthy in your hands.

I’m struggling to give up. What can I do?

Women who have difficulty to stop drinking alcohol because of addiction or other emotional problems should make every effort to seek treatment. Don’t feel uncomfortable talking to your practitioner about it. Special questionnaires are available to help your doctor identify whether your drinking is excessive enough to pose a risk to you and the fetus. This is crucial to your baby’s health and to your health. Your doctor or midwife won’t judge you. It’s their job to help you have as healthy a pregnancy as possible. And asking for help just shows how much you care about your baby.

An early sign of pregnancy is fatigue, feeling exhausted. Pregnancy fatigue can start around the same time that you would take a pregnancy test, very early in pregnancy. Fatigue is a side effect of all the physical changes your body is experiencing, and due to the dramatic rise in hormone levels. Many women feel constantly tired in early pregnancy. Some women feel tired throughout pregnancy. Pregnancy fatigue makes some women feel like they could fall asleep all the time. It can seriously impair your life. Remember fatigue is nature’s way of telling you to get more rest.

What causes fatigue?

•  Fatigue during pregnancy is due to all the physical changes your body is experiencing. For all these preps your body will consume more energy and your metabolism will increase. This makes you feel fatigued.

•  In addition to the physical changes that your body is going through there is a dramatic rise in hormone levels to assist in fetal growth. Rising progesterone levels are responsible for much of the fatigue and other symptoms associated with pregnancy.

•  If you are experiencing nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, that can drain you of all your energy.

•  If you experience frequent urination in early pregnancy then it’s hard to get a good night’s sleep, if you’re getting up frequently to use the bathroom. This can cause fatigue.

•  Fatigue and weakness are symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia, which is common in pregnancy. You may not have any symptoms, if you’re mildly anemic. The disease often goes unrecognized for some time as it tends to develop slowly and adaptation occurs. Hence, your practitioner will test your blood for this condition at your first prenatal visit and again in your late second trimester or early third trimester.

•  If you are feeling anxious about your pregnancy, anxiousness alone is enough to make you feel fatigued. So resting your mind is as important as resting your body. The emotional stresses associated with pregnancy can be huge. The to-be-mother has to deal with the anxiety that pregnancy brings in about motherhood and her ability to cope with labour etc, in addition to the hormonal and physical changes happening in the body.

•  Poor diet can cause fatigue, if you aren’t getting enough nutrients or are not eating enough.

How long will this feeling last?

Early pregnancy:

Fatigue during pregnancy is something that many women do not really expect until the end of the last trimester. But pregnancy fatigue can be an early pregnancy symptom. During the first trimester, you’re likely to feel overwhelming fatigue. The extreme tiredness will last for most of the first trimester. These are the months when the female body is making the most changes. All the physical and hormone changes your body is experiencing causes fatigue.

Second trimester:

Fatigue may start clearing up by the beginning of the second trimester around 12th to 14th week. You may feel more active and more energetic and start to feel like your old self during your second trimester. This is because the growth and changes swifts from mom’s body to baby’s body during the second trimester.

The last trimester:

The vast majority of pregnant women will feel very tired in the last trimester. For some women it may not be as severe as in early pregnancy. Especially, towards the end of pregnancy most to-be-mums tend to feel the strain. At this point you’ll be carrying more weight and may be having trouble sleeping well for a variety of reasons, including backache, heartburn, leg cramps or restless legs syndrome, the baby moving around, and especially the need to pee frequently. All these lead to fatigue.

How to cope with fatigue during pregnancy?

There are a couple of things that you can to do to combat the extreme fatigue and tiredness:

•  Take in nutritious food

Increase your energy levels by sticking to a healthy diet. Make sure you’re eating right. You need about 300 extra calories every day as you require more energy during pregnancy. Snack on healthy foods and fill this additional requirement with nutritious foods instead of junk food that is full of fat and sugar. A healthy diet made up of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, skim milk, and lean meats can be energizing. Try to eat five to six small, healthy meals a day to keep your body fueled.

•  Listen to your body.

All the physical changes that your body is going through during your first trimester: your body creating the placenta and storing vital hormones to assist in fetal growth and your baby’s growth will consume more energy. This can make you feel very tired, so if you are feeling tired just go to sleep. Heed your body’s signals.

•  Take a short nap during the day.

Take naps and rest, lack of sleep can make you tired. Even a 15-minute catnap can make all the difference. A siesta in the afternoon will help to recharge your batteries.

•  Go to bed earlier than usual at night and sleep well.

Sleep for at least 8 hours a night. The baby’s growth takes quite a toll on your body and the revitalization of sleep is about more than feeling refreshed. It is about rebuilding the body’s defenses and core structures.

•  Get checked for anemia.

Fatigue and weakness are symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia, get yourself checked for this condition. Taking medication for anemia will ease your condition.

•  Try to adjust your schedule.

Cut out unnecessary social commitments and let the housework slide. If you work outside the home, see if you can cut back on your hours or arrange to take work home over the weekend so you can cut out early once in a while. If you’re a stay-at-home mom, give yourself a break now and then so you can catch up on your sleep. If your kids are not letting you get enough rest, leave your children with someone else.

•  Stay hydrated

Keep yourself well hydrated and make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. If frequent urination is keeping you up at night, try cutting back your fluid intake a few hours before bedtime and make up for it during the day.

•  Avoid caffeine

They are digested quickly and leave you feeling empty.

•  Get some moderate exercise every day.

You may feel like you barely have the energy to walk, let alone exercise. But moderate activity, such as a short walk, can actually make you feel better. Excercising may sound counterproductive, but exercise feeds the body energy. Tiredness during pregnancy can be easily flipped to energy during pregnancy with the addition of a walk every morning or every evening after dinner.So unless your caregiver has advised you otherwise, make exercise part of your daily routine.