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JUST SAY NO!
Week of: January 29, 2008
Being pregnant isn't easy. But being pregnant is possibly one of the most amazing experiences in a woman's life. There's no doubt about that! Creating a miracle takes time, care and lots of love. You've probably heard a million stories from friends about what to do and what not to do. Well, keep in mind, that every pregnancy is different but some things don't change. There is a list of no no's and that list applies to all you pregnant gals out there.
There's a mine of information out there about what to avoid during pregnancy, not to mention conflicting advice. Trust me (and your doctor!) on these things and JUST SAY NO to them all during your pregnancy. Come on, you know you and your baby are worth it, so read on..
CIGARETTES
I mean, really? Does this even need an explanation???
According to the March of Dimes, cigarette smoke contains over 2,500 chemicals. Smoking nearly doubles a woman's risk of having a low-birthweight baby and has also been known to slow fetal growth in addition to increasing the risk of preterm delivery.
Just don't do it....enough said!
ALCOHOL
Again, there is a handful of conflicting reports on just how bad it is to have an occasional cocktail during one's pregnancy. The only way to be completely safe is to restrain from drinking throughout your entire pregnancy. Celebrate AFTER junior arrives and know that you offered the most healthy, safe environment for your growing little miracle.
The March of Dimes tells us that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a number of birth defects, ranging from mild to severe. These include mental retardation; learning, emotional and behavioral problems; and defects involving the heart, face and other organs. The term "fetal alcohol spectrum disorder" is used to describe the many problems associated with exposure to alcohol before birth. The most severe of these is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a combination of physical and mental birth defects. Consuming alcohol during pregnancy also increases the risk of miscarriage, low birthweight and stillbirth.
CAFFEINE
The NY Times recently discussed the newest findings and research on the effects of consuming too much caffeine while pregnant.
The new study, recently published in The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, finds that pregnant women who consume 200 milligrams or more of caffeine a day — the amount in 10 ounces of coffee or 25 ounces of tea — may double their risk of miscarriage. The study also suggests that pregnant women should try to give up caffeine for at least the first three or four months of pregnancy.
And of course, there are the other "deadly sins" you may hear others talking about...from sushi to soft cheeses, and unwashed greens and partially cooked eggs...the list at times, feels endless. The best thing you can do is to talk with your doctor about all your concerns and to be as safe as you can during your pregnancy.
In closing, I'll share this quote from Dr. Carolyn Westhoff, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and epidemiology, at Columbia University Medical Center, taken from the article in the NY Times (published January 21, 2008), “Moderation in all things is still an excellent rule. I think we tend to go overboard on saying expose your body to zero anything when pregnant. The human race wouldn’t have succeeded if the early pregnancy was so vulnerable to a little bit of anything. We’re more robust than that.”
And there you have it....be safe and be beautiful, as you always are!
xoxo, Skye
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