All about Pregnancy

       Things to give up when you are pregnant  
 



Reliable information on
pregnancy topics
by Heisje de Jong,
Certified Lactation Consultant

Welcome (home page)
Your pre-conception diet
Home pregnancy tests
Early signs of pregnancy
Diet for your pregnancy
Things to give up
Lifestyle changes
Childbirth classes
Breastfeeding - preparation
Complications during pregnancy
Prenatal testing
Pregnancy Week-by-Week
When to contact your doctor
What to ask your obstetrician
Hospital or home delivery?
    And your Packing Guide!

Pain relief in labor & birth
Medical intervention during
    labor and delivery

Post partum exercises
Breastfeeding

About Heisje de Jong
Useful links
Contact Heisje

 


 

   

PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS SITE NOW SO THAT YOU MAY RETURN AT YOUR CONVENIENCE

SMOKING

Smoking is definitely one of the things to give up as soon as you know that you are pregnant, preferably you stop smoking when you plan to become pregnant.

Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight because of a poorly functioning placenta. Nicotine makes the blood vessels in the placenta constrict so that less oxygen and fewer nutritional substances reach the baby.

 

The best is of course that you stop smoking entirely. This may not be so easy for a heavy smoker. In this case, you should try to reduce your cigarettes to at least half your usual amount and from than on to reduce them even further. The more you can cut down the better.

You should avoid being in a room where many people smoke. This "passive" smoking is also not beneficial for you and your baby. For this reason, it is a good idea that your partner gives up smoking too. It may be easier to stop smoking together, this way your determination is strengthened and you can support each other in difficult times.

ALCOHOL

Alcohol consumption can be very dangerous for your unborn baby. It can increase the chance of miscarriage and low birth weight. Children of alcoholic mothers run the risk of being growth and mentally retarded. The safe minimal dose in pregnancy is not known. Therefor it is better to cut out all drinking during pregnancy. If you are only a light or weekend drinker, it may be easy to give up even that small amount. In addition, if you really feel you must take something on an occasion try to limit yourself to a light drink mixed with mineral water.

SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL DRUGS

It is best to discontinue the use of relaxing and mind expanding drugs during your pregnancy. Some of these drugs, like cocaine, heroine and LSD, not only are dangerous for you but can be potentially harmful for your unborn baby. It increases the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight. Babies born to women who are addicted to cocaine or heroine are born addicted as well and suffer withdrawal symptoms at birth. From some other drugs, not enough of the effects on the fetus are known but the lifestyle associated with drug use, such as poor diet and insomnia, will make your general health weaker and the pregnancy unsafe. If you occasionally use one of these drugs, it may not be so difficult to stop using them at least during your pregnancy. If you feel you cannot live without using them, please contact your doctor. There are special clinics where they have methadone maintenance programs where they will work together with you towards a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.

PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS SITE NOW SO THAT YOU MAY RETURN AT YOUR CONVENIENCE

SMOKING

Smoking is definitely one of the things to give up as soon as you know that you are pregnant, preferably you stop smoking when you plan to become pregnant.

Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight because of a poorly functioning placenta. Nicotine makes the blood vessels in the placenta constrict so that less oxygen and fewer nutritional substances reach the baby.

The best is of course that you stop smoking entirely. This may not be so easy for a heavy smoker. In this case, you should try to reduce your cigarettes to at least half your usual amount and from than on to reduce them even further. The more you can cut down the better.

You should avoid being in a room where many people smoke. This "passive" smoking is also not beneficial for you and your baby. For this reason, it is a good idea that your partner gives up smoking too. It may be easier to stop smoking together, this way your determination is strengthened and you can support each other in difficult times.

ALCOHOL

Alcohol consumption can be very dangerous for your unborn baby. It can increase the chance of miscarriage and low birth weight. Children of alcoholic mothers run the risk of being growth and mentally retarded. The safe minimal dose in pregnancy is not known. Therefor it is better to cut out all drinking during pregnancy. If you are only a light or weekend drinker, it may be easy to give up even that small amount. In addition, if you really feel you must take something on an occasion try to limit yourself to a light drink mixed with mineral water.

SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL DRUGS

It is best to discontinue the use of relaxing and mind expanding drugs during your pregnancy. Some of these drugs, like cocaine, heroine and LSD, not only are dangerous for you but can be potentially harmful for your unborn baby. It increases the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight. Babies born to women who are addicted to cocaine or heroine are born addicted as well and suffer withdrawal symptoms at birth. From some other drugs, not enough of the effects on the fetus are known but the lifestyle associated with drug use, such as poor diet and insomnia, will make your general health weaker and the pregnancy unsafe. If you occasionally use one of these drugs, it may not be so difficult to stop using them at least during your pregnancy. If you feel you cannot live without using them, please contact your doctor. There are special clinics where they have methadone maintenance programs where they will work together with you towards a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.

PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS SITE NOW SO THAT YOU MAY RETURN AT YOUR CONVENIENCE

SMOKING

Smoking is definitely one of the things to give up as soon as you know that you are pregnant, preferably you stop smoking when you plan to become pregnant.

Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight because of a poorly functioning placenta. Nicotine makes the blood vessels in the placenta constrict so that less oxygen and fewer nutritional substances reach the baby.

The best is of course that you stop smoking entirely. This may not be so easy for a heavy smoker. In this case, you should try to reduce your cigarettes to at least half your usual amount and from than on to reduce them even further. The more you can cut down the better.

You should avoid being in a room where many people smoke. This "passive" smoking is also not beneficial for you and your baby. For this reason, it is a good idea that your partner gives up smoking too. It may be easier to stop smoking together, this way your determination is strengthened and you can support each other in difficult times.

ALCOHOL

Alcohol consumption can be very dangerous for your unborn baby. It can increase the chance of miscarriage and low birth weight. Children of alcoholic mothers run the risk of being growth and mentally retarded. The safe minimal dose in pregnancy is not known. Therefor it is better to cut out all drinking during pregnancy. If you are only a light or weekend drinker, it may be easy to give up even that small amount. In addition, if you really feel you must take something on an occasion try to limit yourself to a light drink mixed with mineral water.

SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL DRUGS

It is best to discontinue the use of relaxing and mind expanding drugs during your pregnancy. Some of these drugs, like cocaine, heroine and LSD, not only are dangerous for you but can be potentially harmful for your unborn baby. It increases the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight. Babies born to women who are addicted to cocaine or heroine are born addicted as well and suffer withdrawal symptoms at birth. From some other drugs, not enough of the effects on the fetus are known but the lifestyle associated with drug use, such as poor diet and insomnia, will make your general health weaker and the pregnancy unsafe. If you occasionally use one of these drugs, it may not be so difficult to stop using them at least during your pregnancy. If you feel you cannot live without using them, please contact your doctor. There are special clinics where they have methadone maintenance programs where they will work together with you towards a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.