Pregnancy Risks

One of the most important things you can do for your baby is to remember that everything you eat, drink or smoke gets passed on 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 she or he 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 most women know that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects, many women do not realize that moderate or even light drinking during the pregnancy may harm the fetus.

The issue 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 only a slight risk to the embryo or fetus. But caffeine can be found in many of the foods we eat and you need to be careful that you are not getting too much.

Drug use can hurt your unborn child. If you take drugs your baby can be born addicted to these drugs.  Additionally, drug consumption on your part can result in harm or even death for your child.

Smoking harms your baby. When you smoke your baby gets less oxygen and this lack of oxygen can cause your baby to grow more slowly and gain less weight in your womb. Smoking during pregnancy has also been linked to early labor and delivery 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.