Smart Tips for a Safe and Healthy Pregnancy

How can expectant mothers navigate the minefield of pregnancy safety with confidence? On this episode of Parenting Powerhouse, our host Carey provides a comprehensive guide that promises to keep both you and your baby safe and healthy. From avoiding harmful bacteria in your diet to understanding the hidden dangers in skincare products, this episode is a must-listen for every expectant mother. We discuss why it's crucial to steer clear of raw or undercooked meats, eggs, and certain types of seafood, and we also highlight the importance of moderating caffeine intake while avoiding alcohol and smoking altogether.

But that’s not all; we also cover the benefits of safe exercise routines, like walking and prenatal yoga, while cautioning against high-impact sports. Kerry dives into the specifics of which skincare ingredients can pose risks during pregnancy and offers safer alternatives. Whether you’re a first-time mom or already have little ones, this episode is brimming with actionable advice and expert insights to guide you through a safe and healthy pregnancy. Don't miss this essential episode that ensures you’re making the best choices for you and your baby.

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Episode Transcript

Carey Donohoe (00:00):
Hi everyone.
Today's podcast is titledStaying Safe During Pregnancy
and what to Avoid.
Welcome to Parenting Powerhouse, brought to you by Parenting
Genie.
I'm your, Carey, host, andtoday we're diving into an
important topic for expectantmothers staying safe during
pregnancy and what to avoid.
Pregnancy is an exciting time,filled with anticipation and joy

(00:24):
, but it also comes with aresponsibility to ensure you and
your baby stay healthy and safe.
Today, we will talk about somekey things to be aware of.
So, whether you're a first-timemum or already have little ones
, this episode is packed withhelpful advice.
First up, let's talk about foodsafety during pregnancy.

(00:46):
I know food is one of thethings we often look forward to
the most, but there are somefoods you'll want to steer clear
of.
Foods like raw or undercookedmeats, eggs and seafood can
harbour harmful bacteria likesalmonella, listeria or E coli,
which can be dangerous for youand your baby.

(01:08):
The last thing you want is torisk food poisoning while
pregnant.
Listeria, for example, cancross the placenta and cause
serious complications, includingmiscarriage or preterm labor.
Doctors recommend avoiding delimeats, pâtés and refrigerated
smoked seafood unless steamedhot.

(01:31):
And don't forget aboutunpasteurised dairy products.
Things like brie, feta and bluecheese may be delicious, but
unless they are made withpasteurised milk, they could
contain harmful bacteria.
Always check the labels.
Labels.
Or, better yet, when in doubt,skip it.
Now I know what you're thinking.

(01:52):
But,Carey, what about mymorning coffee?
Do I have to give it up?
The good news is that you don'thave to quit caffeine entirely.
But here's the deal Moderationis vital.
Studies suggest that too muchcaffeine can increase the risk
of miscarriage or low birthweight.
The general recommendation isto limit caffeine to around 200

(02:17):
milligrams daily, roughly theequivalent of a medium coffee.
So, yes, you can still enjoythat morning pick-me-up, but
maybe swap out the second cupfor something like a herbal tea
or just a refreshing glass ofwater.
And remember, caffeine isn'tjust in coffee, it's in tea,

(02:37):
soda, chocolate and somemedications.
So keeping track of your totalintake is a good idea.
We are moving on to something weshould avoid altogether alcohol
.
Unfortunately, there is noknown safe amount of alcohol
during pregnancy.
Drinking alcohol duringpregnancy can lead to fetal

(02:59):
alcohol spectrum disorders whichcan cause lifelong physical,
behavioral and intellectualdisabilities.
So the safest bet is to avoidalcohol entirely during your
pregnancy.
And while we're talking aboutthings to avoid, we can't forget
about smoking.
Smoking is harmful not only toyou, but also to your baby.

(03:22):
It increases the risk ofmiscarriage, premature birth and
low birth weight.
It's also linked todevelopmental issues and sudden
infant death syndrome.
So if you're smoking, now isthe perfect time to quit, not
just for your health, but alsofor your babies.
Let's switch gears and talkabout something many of us use

(03:45):
daily skincare products.
Did you know that certainskincare ingredients should be
avoided during pregnancy?
For example, productscontaining retinoids and
salicylic acid can be harmful toyour developing baby.
Retinoids, which are found inmany anti-aging products, have

(04:06):
been linked to congenitaldisabilities when taken orally
in high doses.
While the topical risk is lower, it's still best to err on the
side of caution and avoid themduring pregnancy.
Another common ingredient to becautious about is benzoyl
peroxide, often found in acnetreatments.

(04:28):
Hormonal changes duringpregnancy can lead to breakouts,
but it's a good idea to consultyour doctor or dermatologist to
find pregnancy safealternatives.
Your skin might change duringpregnancy and it's essential to
keep yourself and your baby safeby using gentle and approved

(04:48):
products for this time.
Now let's talk about exercise.
Regular exercise duringpregnancy is not only safe, but
it's also beneficial for bothyou and your baby.
It can help improve mood, boostenergy levels and make labor
easier.
However, not all exercises arecreated equal.

(05:12):
During pregnancy, it'sessential to avoid high impact
activities or those with risk offalling.
Things like contact sports,skiing or high intensity
interval training might need tobe paused.
Instead, focus on safe and lowimpact exercises like walking,
swimming and prenatal yoga.

(05:34):
These activities help keep youactive without putting too much
stress on your body, and thebonus they can help alleviate
some common pregnancydiscomforts like back pain and
swelling back pain and swelling.

(05:55):
One last word of caution hottubs and saunas.
I know they sound relaxing, butthey're off limits during
pregnancy.
Overheating, especially in thefirst trimester, can cause the
risk of neural tube defects andother complications.
If you want to relax, try awarm, but not too hot bath
instead.
It's safer for both you andyour baby.
And speaking of safety, let'stalk about something we don't

(06:19):
often consider Householdchemicals.
Some of the products we use forcleaning our homes contain
chemicals that can be harmfulduring pregnancy.
Things like oven cleaners,certain paint thinners and
pesticides are best avoided.
Use natural alternatives likevinegar, baking soda and other

(06:40):
gentle, eco-friendly productswhenever possible.
And when you do have to usestrong chemicals, ensure a
well-ventilated area and weargloves to minimize exposure.
As we wrap up today's episode,remember these guidelines are
general and every pregnancydiffers.
Always check with your healthcare provider for personalized

(07:03):
advice based on your uniquesituation.
They'll be able to guide you onwhat's safe and what should be
avoided, based on your healthand pregnancy history.
So that's it for today.
Thanks for joining me onParenting Powerhouse.
If you're expecting, tune in toour next episode, where we'll

(07:25):
discuss safe travel duringpregnancy and how to ensure you
and your little one staycomfortable and secure on the go
.
For more tips and insights,visit our website at
parentinggeniecomau.
Remember we also have GenieChat, which provides instant
parenting answers from pregnancyto raising a five-year-old.

(07:47):
Until then, take care ofyourself and happy parenting.