Welcome to the exciting and overwhelming time of pregnancy! You're now five weeks pregnant, which means your baby is around the size of a sesame seed. Congrats!
As much as you may want to party like it's 1999 or eat sushi every day, there are some things you'll need to avoid while pregnant. Here are some tips on what to steer clear from at 5 weeks pregnant:
Say No To Smoking
Let's start with the obvious - smoking is bad for you and for your growing baby. It can lead to low birth weight, premature birth, stillbirth or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). So put out that cigarette ASAP if you haven't already.
Fun fact: Studies suggest that nicotine in cigarettes causes constriction of blood vessels in the placenta, reducing oxygen supply and nutrients available to your baby.
Alcohol Is A No-Go
It may be tempting to celebrate your pregnancy news with a glass of bubbly but hold off until after delivery. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which can cause physical abnormalities and brain damage.
Tip: If you struggle with saying no thanks when offered drinks by friends or family without revealing your pregnancy status yet, try opting for a mocktail instead.
Bye-Bye Raw Meat And Seafood
Myth: Eating raw meat gives you powers. Nope! Eating raw meats such as beef tartare or carpaccio puts you at risk of getting foodborne illnesses like Salmonella and E.coli.Such infections can cause diarrhea,vomiting,fatigue Fish such as sushi contain bacteria that could makeyou ill too.Raw fish also contains mercury levels beyond safe amount.The American Pregnancy Association recommends avoiding raw seafood entirely .
In fact ,keep your diet only cooked fish which provide beneficial omega fatty acids in the form of easier-to-digest essential fatty acids EPA and DHA.
Bye-Bye Soft Cheeses Too
Myth: Cheese is life. Sure, it's delicious but many soft cheeses (such as brie, camembert or blue cheese) contain listeria which could cause miscarriage, stillbirth or other health problems during pregnancy.So no feta at your local Mediterranean ,sorry!
Tip: If you crave that melty cheese texture on your pizza or toast,you can opt for grated mozzerella which is a safer option.
Avoid Over-The-Counter(OTC Medications)
While some OTCmedications may be fine to take during pregnancy like Tylenol for those headaches that seem never-ending,it should always be checked with primary caregiver
In general, IBUPROFEN/ASPIRIN and other painkillers are better avoided since they increase chances of bleeding /postpartum complications.Therefore,following medical guidance when pregnant,is crucial to avoid any adverse situation
Moisturize With Care
Your skin may start feeling particularly dry these days due to hormonal changes inside the body.Needless worrying! We suggest keeping gentle and natural ingredients basedMoisturisers rather than chemically heavy ones.A long-term study conducted by Columbia University Medical Center found an association between common chemicals used in personal care products(often referred as "Parabens" ) and Adverse reproductive effects .
Some Paraben-free moisturizers include:- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream,Honest Shampoo + Body Wash,Cetaphil Baby Lotion etc.
Moreover,sunscreen comes off equally important becauseo one wants pigmentation issues.Heavy good-for-skin sunscreen might do wonders but please cross-check their label details before using.Any Brand containing oxybenzone must be avoided presuming it has Free Radicals known to mimic estrogen causing Imbalance.
Pest Control Precautions
Whether we talk about Cockroach sprays or even Fungus/Carbuncle treatments, use of insecticides,fumigators should be prohibited during gestation period to prevent any kind of developmental defects in fetus. Pesticides might cause neurological issues and may interfere with proper growth n development.
Tip: For small infestations,effective non-chemical methods includes vacuuming the area thoroughly,removing food leftovers,maintening hygienic conditions which can keep bugs at bay.
Be Cautious When Cleaning
The people who love cleaning their house are perhaps the alien type.That being said ,some chemicals present on countertop cleaners including benzalkonium chloride,triclosan,butoxydiglycol acetate are capable of getting absorbed into bloodstream easily thus increasing chancesof reproductive health risks like premature births etc.
Boss the mess but make sure you're using natural ingredients,you don't want little one sniffing those harmful fmedicals.Get Cleaning with Natural innocuous substitutes like apple cider vinegar and Baking soda which nullify bad odours without overwhelming your senses .
No To Hot Tubs And Saunas
You may have heard that raising your body temperature above 102°F is risky for your growing baby.It can lead to miscarriage during fetal development.An after-effect of high heat exposure results in neural tube defects too.In addition,it leads to hormonal imbalance causing excessive sweating, vomiting,dizziness .
That applies to hot baths as well.So please refrain from steeping in bath-tub until it has cooled down a bit!
Tip: If you must soothe sore muscles or relax, enjoy a warm shower within limits alternating between Cool/cold water so that blood circulation remains regulated
A Final Note
Entering parenthood marks a new journey that comes with both excitement and great responsibility.The steps outlined here aren't intended on creating unnecessary concern but to ensure you remain informed and safe.Remember to consult with your doctor before taking any major decision. Eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep ,and don't forget about that prenatal vitamin!
Good luck on this journey!