Avoiding Hazards During Pregnancy

So you found out that you are expecting. This is a special and nerve racking time in your life. There are so many concerns and so many things to think about from how you are going to budget for a new child to where are you going to put the crib. There is no shortage of advice for expecting parents. You can get plenty of it from your friends and family and magazines and of course the internet. But some of the best advice that you can get is about what not to do, what to avoid, not just what you should do.

There are the typical things that one thinks of when thinking of the don’ts of pregnancy. Eating poorly is one of the typically things that one thinks of. You should avoid fatty foods that are bad for you no matter if you are pregnant or not. This is kind of a no brainer though. There are more important and not so obvious things that you should avoid, things that can pose threats dangerous enough that they can be deemed hazardous.

Cat litter is a big hazard that should be avoiding during pregnancy. It is not like you have to get rid of your cat when you get pregnant but you should avoid coming into contact with the litter by changing or cleaning a litter box. The toxoplasmosis that is found in the feces of a cat is to blame for this hazard. You may have already heard this piece of advice. However, it is important to note that the toxoplasmosis is found in the fecal matter. Because of this you should take care to wash your hands after handling and petting a cat since the same fecal matter that you found in the litter can be found on a cats feet too!

Household cleaning products and chemicals should also be avoided in excess. Just like you can’t give away your cat you can’t just stop cleaning your house either. Using diligence and common sense is your best plan of action with home cleaning products. Make sure you use gloves and perhaps you need a mask. Use the products in a well-ventilated area and try to use the products in moderation.

Expecting a child can be stressful to say the least. But guess what! Stress is not good for you and should be avoided. Again, another one of those pieces of advice that you should take no matter if you are pregnant or not. It is common sense that you should avoid stress. The hazards of stress are increased blood pressure and this could also lead to contractions. Do what you can to minimize your stress levels just as long as it is not a long hot bath or a soak in the hot tub. Doctors say that in the first trimester that women should avoid raising their core body temperature. It is advised to stay away from water that is above 100 degrees. If you do take the plunge just make it a 10-minute one and then take a short break. So there it is, a few tips on avoiding hazards during pregnancy.