Pregnancy Risks

One of the most important things you can do for your baby is to remember that everything you eat, drink or smoke goes directly to your unborn child.  With this in mind ask yourself, "After my baby is born would I give my baby a cup of coffee, a cigarette, an alcoholic beverage or illegal drugs?".  Common sense says that you should not consume anything you would not give to your baby after it is born.

Pregnant women are bombarded with Dos and Don'ts. It's tough to keep it all straight. Here is some help.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause physical and mental birth defects. Although many women are aware that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects, many do not realize that moderate or even light drinking during the pregnancy may harm the fetus.

Safety of caffeine consumption during pregnancy is controversial. Some studies suggest that modest caffeine intake of less than two average cups of coffee per day presents a slight risk to the embryo or fetus. But caffeine can be found in many of the foods we eat so how can you be certain you are not getting too much?

Drug use can hurt your unborn child. Additionally, if you take drugs your baby can be born addicted to these drugs which can result in harm or even death for your child.

Smoking harms your baby. When you smoke, your baby gets less oxygen. Lack of oxygen can cause your baby to grow more slowly and gain less weight in the womb. Smoking during pregnancy has also been linked to preterm labor and other pregnancy complications.

Herbal remedies are considered natural alternatives to certain drugs, but they can also be dangerous when taken during pregnancy. Many herbs contain chemicals that can cross the placenta to your baby, and some can cause pregnancy problems.