Do’s and Don’ts During Pregnancy
- Do not smoke, drink alcohol, beer or wine, or use illegal drugs.
- Wear your seatbelt at all times when driving or riding in a vehicle. Wear the lap belt as low as possible under the curve of your abdomen; the shoulder strap should go between the breasts and to the side of the uterus.
- Do not lift more than 20 pounds.
- Do not change cat litter boxes or eat raw meat. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meat or dirt where cats have been. Wear gloves while gardening. This helps prevent the spread of Toxoplasmosis, a disease that can harm your baby.
Food Don’ts
There are three main dangers in some foods that pregnant women eat. These can cause serious illness or even death to you and your unborn baby:
- Listeria: A dangerous bacterium that can grow even in the refrigerator.
- Mercury: A harmful metal found in high levels in some fish.
- Toxoplasma: A risky parasite found in undercooked meat and unwashed fruit and vegetables.
Follow these food facts to keep you and your baby healthy — DO NOT EAT:
- Raw, rare or undercooked meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish (e.g., sushi).
- Processed meats high in nitrates (e.g., bacon, hot dogs, salami, pepperoni) — limit consumption.
- Hot dogs or lunch meats unless they are reheated until steaming hot.
- Refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads.
- Soft cheeses like Feta, Brie, Gorgonzola, Panela, Camembert, Blue-veined cheeses, Queso Blanco, and Queso Fresco — unless the label says pasteurized or made from pasteurized milk.
- Raw or unpasteurized milk or any foods that contain unpasteurized milk.
- Refrigerated smoked fish such as Whitefish, Salmon, or Mackerel (Nova-style, Lox, Kippered, Jerky, etc.).
- High-mercury fish: Swordfish, Tilefish, King Mackerel, or Shark.