Part of parenthood is to be aware of what could harm you and your child before and during pregnancy. Below are Warnings and Tips on Smart Parenting before and during pregnancy.
1. Stop smoking. If you are a smoker and you plan to have a child soon, quit smoking now. Study shows that babies of smoking mothers are more likely to have respiratory problems that may be fatal. In addition, if a pregnant woman continues smoking, there is a chance that her baby will be born too small or too early, this is due to lack of oxygen supply to the fetus. Smoking in most cases is hard to stop and you may experience withdrawal symptoms irritably, anxiety, headache, nausea and a craving for more cigarettes. But for sure, in the long run, a smoke-free lifestyle will be beneficial to you and your child.
2. Avoid alcoholic drinks. It is not true what others say that a small amount of alcohol is alright if taken before or during your pregnancy. A glass of beer is also harmful to the baby. What mother drink will, her unborn child also be having it. Study shows that alcohol is believed to cause birth damage including mental retardation, the most common is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Be aware of all precautions and learn more about the risk and side effects of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
3. Say NO to illegal drugs. Illegal drugs are substances in form of pills, liquids, or parts of plants that can be taken in to become intoxicated. These are used for recreation to achieve an altered state of consciousness. Any substance, even over-the-counter drugs, can be illegal if misused. Some of the common illegal drugs are shabu, marijuana, cocaine, heroin and Ecstacy. Any of these can affect the development of the fetus and cause complications in pregnancy and birth.
4. Exposure to X-ray is very harmful. Fetal organs are developing during the first three days of conception right after the missed menstrual period. The first three months of pregnancy is the most crucial period because this is fetal organ development stage and most birth defects can occur. That is why any toxic substance or material can put your unburned child at risk. So before going to an X-ray procedure, consult your doctor to avoid the risk of damaging your baby.
5. Lessen your caffeine or no caffeine intake at all. Mother who consumes a large amount of caffeine that is present on coffee, tea and carbonated beverages has a more risk of suffering a miscarriage. There, it is recommended to reduce caffeine intake before and during the first three months of pregnancy. If you are used to drink three or more cups daily, you should avoid this if you are planning to get pregnant. You can drink decaffeinated coffee instead if you cannot avoid it.
6. Take Medicines With Prescription Only. Taking medicines that are not prescribed by your doctor may be harmful to your health and can affect your ovulation. Over-the-counter medicines should be avoided also if not prescribed. If you are feeling well and you may need medication, consult your doctor first.