What can you do and what shouldn’t you do when pregnant? A Singapore obstetrician and gynaecologist breaks down common pregnancy myths. Pregnant women have heard them all – don’t take a plane, don’t drink caffeine, don’t climb the stairs, don’t eat seafood, take all your supplements, and more. Which of these precautions are myths and which are based on fact?
Dr Shilla added that while flying, pregnant women should keep hydrated, walk around, or wear compression stockings to prevent blood clots or discomfort in the legs. “However, as major renovations often involve a huge amount of dust or even possible toxic fumes, it is best to avoid this as it may affect your health and subsequently, the baby’s.”
Cats are a little more tricky. Dr Shilla explained that cats carry a bacteria called toxoplasma gondii in their faeces, which can cause toxoplasmosis. This infection can lead to serious problems in the foetus, including pregnancy complications like premature birth and low birth weight. However, Dr Shilla explained that these chemicals are only dangerous in very high doses. When you dye your hair, whether at the salon or at home, only a small amount is absorbed by the skin, with even less reaching the bloodstream.
However, Dr Shilla noted that certain exercises should be avoided as they may put you at high risk of injury. These include contact sports like rugby, football, and martial arts; activities with a high risk of falling, such as skiing and horseback riding; and intense activities that involve changes in oxygen levels, such as skydiving and scuba diving.“Taking the stairs is a good form of exercise throughout all trimesters of your pregnancy… and until the day you go into labour,” said Dr Shilla.
Pregnant women should also avoid consuming large predatory fish like swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish as these may contain mercury, which may slow down the baby’s development in the early years.Dr Shilla recommends sticking to a wholesome diet and taking the pre-natal vitamins prescribed by your gynaecologist. “Some herbs and tonics are being marketed on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook as making your baby intelligent,” she said.
She emphasised the need to have regular antenatal checkups with your obstetrician so they can detect any complications early before they develop into further risks or harm you and the baby.Vaginal births are often considered to have more benefits than births delivered via caesarean section, Dr Shilla said.
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