Error: Not a valid value. There are a few products or lifestyle habits pregnant women and their partners should be cautious of during pregnancy. From hair highlights to house paints, learn more about what's safe for your baby. While some complementary therapies , such as acupuncture and massage , are generally considered to be safe during pregnancy, there are still times during pregnancy when they should not be used.

For example, your abdomen should not be massaged during the first 3 months of pregnancy. It is generally safe to have acupuncture when you are pregnant. You should look for a qualified acupuncturist who has extensive training and experience with pregnant women.

Tell your acupuncturist you are pregnant because certain acupuncture points cannot be used safely during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is a common infection that occurs in most birds and mammals, including humans, and can cause serious problems in pregnancy. The parasite called Toxoplasma gondii T.

The risk of getting toxoplasmosis when you're pregnant is very low. But if do you get toxoplasmosis in the early stages of pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage is increased and it can cause blindness and brain damage in an unborn baby. Signs of toxoplasmosis include mild flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, sore throat and aching muscles.

However, in most cases, toxoplasmosis doesn't cause any symptoms. Pregnant women are not routinely screened for toxoplasmosis. It's therefore important that you know how to prevent infection.

Check the labels of cleaning products to make sure there are no safety warnings for pregnant women. If you use cleaning products, glues, paint or any other household chemicals, follow the safety directions on the label. Make sure the room is well ventilated when you are cleaning — open windows and doors. Some moth balls and toilet deodorant cakes contain a substance called naphthalene.

Exposure to very large amounts of naphthalene can damage blood cells, leading to a condition called haemolytic anaemia. Symptoms that may occur after exposure to large quantities of naphthalene include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Newborn babies are particularly at risk if they are exposed to naphthalene. If there are no problems, try to do 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking or swimming, on most days of the week.

The active ingredient in fake tan is dihydroxyacetone DHA , a non-toxic substance that reacts with cells in the outermost layer of the skin and produces a brown pigment colour called melanoidin. The DHA does not go beyond the outer layer of skin and therefore is not absorbed into the body. It is fine to use fake tan creams and lotions while you are pregnant. It is not a good idea to have a spray tan while you are pregnant because you might inhale some spray, and it is not know whether this is dangerous for the baby.

Also, fake tans can sometimes cause an allergic reaction. Pregnancy changes your hormone levels and can make the skin more sensitive than normal. If you do use fake tan, always test the product on a small area of skin first to see if you have a reaction.

Although some fake tans contain sun protection, the SPF sun protection factor is usually very low. No one should use tanning pills or tanning injections. Injections containing Melanotan, which increases melanin in the skin, are not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration TGA for tanning, and it is classified as a prescription-only medicine.

There are some foods you should avoid when you're pregnant because they might make you ill or harm your baby. Learn more about the foods you should avoid, or that you need to take extra care with when you're pregnant here. There is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy. Whether you are planning a pregnancy , already pregnant or breastfeeding , not drinking is the safest option as alcohol can harm your unborn baby.

Some studies have found that very high doses of the chemicals in hair dyes may cause harm. However, these doses are massive compared to the very low amount of chemicals when you dye your hair. Many women decide to wait to dye their hair until after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when the risk of chemical substances harming the baby is much lower. If you are colouring your hair yourself, or you work in a hair salon, you can reduce the risk further by making sure that you:.

Highlighting your hair, by putting the dye only onto strands of hair, also reduces any risk. The chemicals used are only absorbed by your hair, and not by your scalp or bloodstream. For example, your hair may react differently to colouring or perming and become more or less absorbent, frizzy or unpredictable.

It's always a good idea to do a strand test first, using the hair dye or treatment that you intend to use. Speak to your hairdresser for advice. Information about hair treatments while breastfeeding is limited. This is because very little enters your bloodstream. Many women have used hair treatments while breastfeeding, with no known negative results. While relaxing in hot water may sound like an effective way to ease pregnancy discomfort, experts recommend avoiding hot tubs and saunas.

According to the American Pregnancy Association , hot tubs can cause hyperthermia, or abnormally high body temperature, which may lead to congenital abnormalities.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women avoid contact sports, such as football or boxing. Contact sports increase the risk of placental abruption, which is the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. Placental abruption is a severe condition that can cause preterm birth, pregnancy loss, or stillbirth.

Pregnant women are also more prone to injury as hormonal changes in the body cause the ligaments to become looser. After the first trimester, pregnant women should avoid any activity which carries the risk of falling, including skiing, ice-skating, and rock climbing.

During pregnancy, the center of gravity shifts as the belly expands, so even a minor fall may result in injuries. Many amusement parks do not allow pregnant women on some rides, including roller coasters or any rides that may start or stop suddenly. Pregnant women should avoid changing a litter box.

Cleaning dirty litter boxes can put a person at risk of toxoplasmosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , if a pregnant woman passes toxoplasmosis to the fetus, the baby may develop severe symptoms, including:.

According to the American Pregnancy Association , pregnant women should avoid heavy lifting. For some women, lifting heavy objects can increase the risk of:. Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy can cause harm to both the woman and the baby. Aside from an increased risk of heart disease and lung cancer , smoking when pregnant can also cause the following problems during and after pregnancy:.

Women should stop smoking as soon as they know that they are pregnant and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Women who are struggling to quit smoking can talk to a doctor about the help and additional resources that are available. Using illegal drugs or misusing certain prescription drugs can cause a newborn to go through neonatal abstinence syndrome NAS.

A baby with NAS will go through substance withdrawal at birth. Additionally, drug use can increase the risk of stillbirth, pregnancy loss, and congenital abnormalities. Pregnant women should avoid some over-the-counter OTC and prescription medications while pregnant, as these can harm the fetus. A doctor or pharmacist can provide advice on which medications are safe to use and can often recommend alternatives if women can no longer take their regular medicines.

Although doctors recommend that most pregnant women exercise, certain types of exercise are not suitable during pregnancy. Many exercises, such as walking, swimming, and squats, can be beneficial during pregnancy. It is best to speak to a doctor about any existing or new exercise routines. Pregnant women can carry on with most of their normal activities as long as they take some necessary precautions. Michael Woods, MD Cancer Care.

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