What pregnant women should not eat during pregnancy: a list of foods prohibited in the early stages. What should pregnant women not do? What can you do during pregnancy?

One of the most important and difficult both physically and psychologically is the first trimester of pregnancy. That is why there are so many opinions about what pregnant women should not do during pregnancy. early stages.

If you reveal all your cards in advance, then there are enough restrictions not only in the first, but also in the second and third stages of gestation. But for the sake of the child’s health, you can be patient if something cannot be done.

During pregnancy, it is imperative for women to stay active. The loads are selected based on the well-being, physical fitness and capabilities of the expectant mother.

Doctors indicate which exercises pregnant women should not do:

Pump up the press. Now the tummy has a wonderful reason to increase in size, and if women manage to restrain their growing appetite during pregnancy, then the parameters will increase within normal limits.
Horse riding lovers will have to forget about it not only in the early stages, but also for the entire period of bearing a child.
Jumping into the water from a tower should be left in the past for a while. You can swim, but reduce your swim time and speed. Special classes in the pool for pregnant women are welcome. Water skiing should be avoided as there is a high risk of hitting the water hard. Deep-sea diving will also be unnecessary. Diving involves pressure changes and breath holdings. The baby has no use for this.
Exercise equipment requiring significant effort and heavy Sports Equipment cannot be used during pregnancy.
Alpine skiing and other extreme sports are prohibited. If there are no contraindications and you have sufficient physical fitness, you can walk on regular skis on a flat track.
Cycling will have to be abandoned. Is not The best way keep yourself in good shape in the early stages, and possible falls should not be allowed at all in any trimester.
There is no place for a pregnant woman on a group sports playground. In the second or third trimester, an enlarged belly will interfere with active movement, and accidental blows from rivals are not needed in the first.
It is better to replace running with walking. If your workouts were intense before pregnancy, you can shorten the distance and reduce the speed.

Your gynecologist will tell you which types of physical activity you should not engage in and which are encouraged in the early stages of pregnancy.

Any complications - high blood pressure, manifestations of toxicosis, the presence of the uterus in good shape - this is a reason to refuse physical activity. In this case, household chores and short walks will be a sufficient manifestation of activity.

For the early stages, any falls and injuries can be disastrous. Before continuing exercise, you should consult your doctor. And you certainly shouldn’t take charge of your own health in the first trimester if there was no stress at all before pregnancy.

X-ray: risks and consequences

One of the controversial points when discussing the topic of what can and cannot be done during pregnancy is fluorography. On the one hand, a healthy body adult woman Small doses of radiation will not harm you in any way. But her body is now responsible for the healthy development of another life, and as a result of fluorography, the process of cell division may be disrupted.

X-rays should not be taken during pregnancy, as this interferes with the development of the fetus.

Therefore, in the early stages of pregnancy (from the 3rd to the 20th week), it is recommended to refuse such a procedure. The purpose of it is to determine the health status of the expectant mother. Tuberculosis is a dangerous disease, and it can be detected using radiation. But if there are no direct suspicions, the doctor at the antenatal clinic will ask for the results of the study of the husband and persons permanently living with the expectant mother.

X-ray is another technique for detecting pathology in the lungs. Despite some common features, there are differences between it and fluorography. Pathological changes during x-rays are recorded on film, and the level of radiation is slightly higher. The doctor decides which method to use, but pregnant women should avoid both options.

There are a number of situations when fluorography or x-rays are still performed. When does this happen and what are the consequences for the fetus? For answers, we will conditionally accept both methods as equivalent.

Question	Answer	Notes
What happens if the x-ray was taken when the woman had no idea about her situation?	There will be no cause for concern if we are talking about very early stages - 7-14 days of pregnancy.	A single-celled embryo - a zygote - is an egg fertilized by a sperm. She is safe at this stage. Only four days after the fusion, the process of implantation of the fertilized egg will begin. This takes approximately 72 hours. If during this period the X-rays cause any harm, the pregnancy will be terminated and menstruation will begin.
How will fluorography performed in the first trimester affect the fetus?	Early embryonic cells are actively dividing, and such interference can be fatal or lead to irreversible mutations. It is strictly forbidden to visit the X-ray room until the 20th week of pregnancy.	Fluorography performed during this period is not at all 100% fatal. The consequences and possible developmental anomalies will be assessed by a geneticist based on the test results. It's a must visit.
Is it possible to do x-rays at a later date?	Some doctors confidently say that when the second trimester is more than half completed (after 20 weeks), x-rays will not harm the baby in the womb.	As alternative method Doctors may offer digital testing with a reduced radiation dose. And to protect the uterus, a lead apron is put on.
When you can’t do without fluorography.	If there are serious clinical indications (for example, suspected pneumonia), the doctor has the right to order a study.	The procedure can be carried out if there is no doubt about its benefits for the woman, even at risk for the child.

There are still debates among doctors about whether X-rays can be taken or not in later stages among doctors. Therefore, until there are specific answers, you should refrain from such diagnostic procedures at any month of pregnancy.

Ultrasound – completely safe method during pregnancy, but you still can’t do x-rays

Habits and preferences. What is worth reviewing for the sake of your baby’s health?

In the first trimester, when the foundations of all the baby’s vital organs are laid, the mother’s destructive habits cause maximum harm to the baby. Smoking and drinking alcohol should be completely avoided. There can be no excuse here that abrupt cessation of nicotine, on the contrary, is not recommended by doctors themselves, and a glass of wine can be drunk from time to time. These opinions are wrong.

Fasting, dieting and late-night snacking are prohibited throughout pregnancy, starting from early pregnancy. A fractional, nutritious and varied diet is the key to the health of your future son or daughter, and such a diet does not threaten the mother with gaining extra pounds. Overeating will have a particularly difficult impact on the mother’s well-being in the second and third trimester, when the growing fetus and the increased weight of amniotic fluid will make pregnancy difficult.

Why else should you moderate your appetite? Being overweight can easily lead to hypertension, and doctors will most likely not allow you to give birth on your own. Caesarean section is far from best option permissions. Therefore, nutrition (especially in late pregnancy) should be given special attention. Heavy and difficult to digest foods (for example, mushrooms) should be abandoned in the early stages, or at least in the second trimester.

What to do if you really want to eat? At any stage of pregnancy, it will be useful to snack on nuts (but no more than a handful per day), banana, carrots, and low-fat kefir.

What to do if the uterus is toned

The uterus consists of muscles that are located in three layers: internal, external and middle. They are tightly woven, but at the same time the muscle tissue is very elastic. It is due to this that the child grows and develops without difficulty throughout the entire prescribed period, starting from an early age. If everything goes without complications, the muscles of the uterus are in normal tone. But their tension and contraction is called hypertonicity, and this condition threatens miscarriage.

The uterus may be in good shape due to stress, hormonal imbalance, infectious or other diseases. A feeling of heaviness or aching pain in the lower abdomen is one of the signs of hypertonicity. But due to individual differences, not all women describe such sensations. The doctor will determine the tone of the uterus during palpation or ultrasound examination.

To relieve hypertension, sedatives, hormonal agents and antispasmodics are prescribed. Bed rest (and more often hospitalization) is what is recommended to do with uterine tone.

You will have to exclude any physical activity. Stressful situations at work and at home cannot be avoided, so staying in a hospital ward under medical supervision will definitely be beneficial. If you have uterine hypertonicity, you should not eat:

salty food;
products that cause gas formation;
celery, parsley and garlic.

Even seemingly harmless Herb tea may cause uterine tone. This once again confirms the importance of consulting a doctor when developing a daily diet.

Signs and beliefs about prohibitions for pregnant women

Popular wisdom is not always right, so you should not take such advice as a mandatory call to action. So, we separate the rational grains of signs from unfounded superstitions.

Is it true	Sign	Lie
The sign is partly right. There is a risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. But this is only possible with close contact (you cannot kiss a cat or let a dog lick you). A woman expecting a child should not clean the litter box after her animal. But you can and should play with your pet.	Pregnant women should not pet or play with a cat.
	You cannot cut your hair, otherwise you will have a miscarriage.	Keep track of your appearance no one prohibits it during pregnancy. But it’s really better to refuse hair coloring, no matter what “natural” composition the manufacturers promise. But the haircut will not affect the ability to bear a child.
The sign was most likely created with the aim of protecting the woman in labor from stress. There are no other “contraindications” to the ban.	Pregnant women should not go to the cemetery.
	You can't take pictures or film your growing belly.	These signs should be left without comment at all because of their absurdity.
	A pregnant woman should not communicate with ugly people or look at them for a long time	These are empty prejudices or attempts by the “ancients” to explain genetic abnormalities or the unattractive appearance of a newborn.

The sign that you cannot prepare a dowry is not confirmed by any medical indications. You can safely purchase diapers and baby undershirts. Pleasant chores, on the contrary, will cheer you up, and if the mother is happy, then the baby feels good.

Is it really impossible to give birth in a leap year?

Folk signs are often associated with such an event as leap year. People associate him with a series of unpleasant tragic events that often befall him. Naturally, fears grew into signs.

A woman should not cut her hair if she gives birth during a leap year. This sign explained the birth of a mentally handicapped child.
You can't do renovations in a year like this. A pregnant woman should, in principle, avoid wallpapering and rearranging furniture. All dirty Finishing work someone else has to do it too.
Moving during a leap year will also be unsuccessful. Extra worries and hectic preparations when changing housing should be transferred to the shoulders of relatives and not involve a pregnant woman.
A trip to pick mushrooms this year could result in trouble. It may be better to postpone walks in the forest alone, but being in nature and Fresh air have an exceptionally beneficial effect on mother and child.
If a child is born in a leap year, then close relatives of the parents should become godparents.

In general, all the signs about leap year vying with each other to dissuade people from getting married, getting divorced, starting new projects, selling and buying something big. If you read the discussions, ask your friends, opinions will be divided, which is not surprising. In such a year, people die and are born, some have fires, and some win the lottery.

I can give advice to the impressionable and gullible: even if the birth falls on a leap year, you will not be able to change the situation. You can believe in the superstitions and not cut your hair, just don’t be nervous and don’t overexert yourself, then your baby will be born healthy, beautiful and happy!

A few more recommendations on what to do in early pregnancy

When the expectant mother has already become accustomed to her interesting situation, she needs to consider:

Visits to the gynecologist should not be neglected. In case of any deterioration in your health, you should arrange an unscheduled visit to the doctor.
Clothes with a cut that fits the figure can be worn, but skinny jeans and trousers must be abandoned. Everything that puts pressure on the growing tummy is put away on the far shelves of the closet.
Sex is not prohibited unless there are special contraindications.
Salty foods are prohibited. She is the main culprit of edema. The kidneys are already under significant stress, and fluid stagnation in the body of pregnant women threatens complications.

At every stage of pregnancy, including early pregnancy, attention should be paid to the prevention of stretch marks and breast condition.

Wondering what not to do during pregnancy? This question interests every woman because the news is that it will soon appear new life– this is not only joy, but also a reason for excitement. In the soul of every woman there is a growing sense of responsibility for that little miracle that is yet to be born. During this period, your lifestyle changes dramatically; you have to pay attention to things that you didn’t even know existed before. In this article we will try to cover the main aspects that should not be done during an “interesting” situation.

Proper diet for the expectant mother

In fact, the food that a woman eats is the key to the full development of the baby - after all, essential vitamins and microelements that the fetus needs so much. First of all, give up diets for weight loss - starving yourself is fraught with many consequences. If a woman adheres to any diet for health reasons, she should definitely consult a doctor. There is also no need to allow the body to become dehydrated.

Besides:

Try to avoid cinnamon, parsley or basil - they may have harmful effects. negative impact on the digestive system;
Give up raw eggs(with the exception of quail), your favorite sushi, shellfish, dried fish - the risk of contracting salmonellosis increases many times, not to mention such an unpleasant problem as helminths;
Avoid smoked and undercooked meats, as they do not completely kill bacteria.
Give preference to dishes made from boiled or stewed meat;
Eat more vegetables and fruits, but you need to wash them especially carefully. If you are not sure about the origin of the products, it is best to pour boiling water over them before eating;
Some dairy products will also have to be excluded from the diet - ayran, brie cheese, feta and other soft types that are made from unpasteurized milk. Only types of cheese that are made from pasteurized milk are safe;
The consumption of alcohol and caffeine is strictly prohibited; your doctor may allow you to treat yourself to a cup of coffee, but very rarely. Such products can increase blood pressure, and this is not the most favorable phenomenon for a pregnant woman, so we can safely replace coffee with chicory, and wine with freshly squeezed juice;
Do not get carried away with citrus fruits, chocolate, strawberries, nuts, exotic vegetables and fruits - they may cause allergies in the child in the future;
If possible, avoid products that contain dyes, stabilizers, thickeners, aroma and taste enhancers;
Forget about fast food - chips, hamburgers, crackers should be on the “black list”.

In general, the diet of the expectant mother should contain all the vitamins and microelements that are vital and necessary for the baby’s health, such as iodine, iron, folic acid, calcium and many other substances. It is also important to enrich the body with antioxidants during pregnancy - they will serve to prevent complications and increase immunity. The most optimal way to give yourself and your child everything you need and not miss anything is to take vitamin and mineral complexes with a balanced composition, such as Vitrum Prenatal Forte. This drug is approved by obstetricians and gynecologists as one of the most reliable and proven remedies for women who are expecting or are just planning to have a child.

Your habits

Expectant mothers should avoid taking a hot bath or sauna. Excess heat above 39 degrees can affect the formation of the fetus, and in some cases cause a miscarriage;
Pay more attention to your cosmetics: creams, shampoos, mascara should not contain toxic substances. But you should stop dyeing your hair for a while, since a woman’s body undergoes hormonal processes that can be affected by artificial dyes that penetrate through the scalp. To strengthen your hair, use natural remedies - decoctions of medicinal herbs, henna, masks, and so on;
Avoid repellents, self-tanners and other substances for a while, as some of them may contain harmful substances that affect the development of the fetal nervous system;
Medicines can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor - even the familiar tetracycline or paracetamol can cause serious complications in the fetus;
Avoid lifting weights, jumping, walking quickly, or exercising vigorously. Slow yoga will be a good substitute, and it’s better to take a break from vigorous activity. The maximum weight that can be lifted is 5 kilograms, and in recent months - 3, because without that to the expectant mother it's not easy;
Stop smoking, remember that even passive smoking is harmful, so stay away from smoking areas;
When cleaning your home, ask your household members to help you, as many detergents and household chemicals contain toxins. Temporarily replace them with regular soap or a hypoallergenic product. Also, pregnant women are not recommended to take part in renovations, even if you really want to arrange the children's room yourself, entrust this to your family. Volatile compounds in paints, glues and other substances pose a serious danger;
If you have a cat in your house, ask someone in your household to take care of it for a while. Cats are carriers of toxoplasmosis, a virus that is dangerous to the fetus.

Change your lifestyle. You are not allowed:

Give up high heels for a while - you create additional stress on the spine, and it is carelessness during this period that causes postpartum back pain;
Choose loose clothes made from natural materials, avoid tight and uncomfortable things;
In the first trimester, the mother should absolutely not have an x-ray - only according to the doctor’s indications; also, no vaccinations should be given, especially against smallpox or malaria - they can cause defects in the fetus;
Try to worry less and not get overtired, because this condition of the mother is passed on to the baby;
Limit the time spent on the computer or mobile phone– the harm of radiation has not yet been proven, but it’s still better to be on the safe side. If you have electric mattresses and blankets in your home, it is better to avoid them for a while;
Try to avoid long trips. During this period, many women are contraindicated to drive a car or fly an airplane. This is especially true for those who suffer from bleeding, hypertension and other diseases;
Try to avoid very crowded places as your body is now very sensitive to all infections. There is also a high probability that in a crowd a woman may be accidentally pushed into position or her stomach may be touched;
Do not ignore your ailments - not only the health, but also the life of your baby may depend on your delay, so when alarming symptoms consult a doctor immediately.

For many girls, everything related to pregnancy and childbirth causes a state of panic. And when the time comes to think about offspring, fear prevents you from focusing on the main thing - the birth of a child, and forces you to devote all your thoughts to the possible negative sides of both processes. There is another extreme - the belief that nature will do everything itself, which means there is nothing to worry about at all. Both points of view are wrong. Pregnancy and childbirth are natural processes. But a woman must prepare for them mentally and physically, have enough knowledge of how this happens, and do everything in her power for the successful pregnancy and birth of a healthy baby.

The need for this is caused not only by the financial capabilities of the family. Here is the most important health both parents, their preparedness for the birth of a child, the creation of favorable conditions for this. The process should begin 2-3 months before the expected fertilization. It includes:

Quitting smoking and alcohol;
Normalization of nutrition with the obligatory consumption of large amounts of vitamins, microelements, fiber;
Healthy physical activity with frequent exposure to fresh air. This part of the preparation is especially useful for a woman, because she is the one who will bear the child and give birth, which require endurance and energy expenditure;
Avoiding stress.

Actually, there is nothing complicated in these requirements; it would be good for everyone to lead a similar lifestyle all the time.

Which doctors should you visit?

Expectant parents should definitely be examined by doctors. A woman needs to visit doctors of the following specialties:

Gynecologist. It is good that this is a specialist who will then monitor the entire pregnancy. He should know about past illnesses, childbirth, abortions. The gynecologist will need the results of tests for flora, cytology, viral infections(HIV, hepatitis, syphilis), PCR studies for sexually transmitted infections, cytomegalovirus, as well as information about the body’s susceptibility to rubella;
Dentist. Before pregnancy, you need to get rid of infections in the oral cavity, caries;
Cardiologist;
Otorhinolaryngologist;
Allergist;
Endocrinologist.

In addition to the tests mentioned, it is necessary to do more research:

Ultrasound reproductive organs and mammary glands;
Blood and urine tests (general and biochemical);
Hormone levels;
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland.

If this is not the first attempt for a woman to become pregnant, the specialist may consider it necessary to prescribe:

Colposcopy of the cervix;
Hysteroscopy;
Endometrial biopsy.

Reception oral contraceptives, as well as contraception using an IUD should be interrupted 2-3 months before conception. If there are genetic diseases in the family or one of the future parents has had radiation exposure, it is worth visiting an appropriate specialist.

In order for conception to occur exactly when the future parents want it, it is necessary to calculate the most favorable days for it. Ovulation occurs around 11-16, if you count from the first day of menstruation.

The most important things during pregnancy

There are many nuances in this period that you should know so that everything goes harmoniously and safely for the woman and the unborn baby. Correct behavior will help avoid many potential problems.

Tests

A woman will be able to understand that she is pregnant based on her own well-being. But this will be a little later, and until the first signs appear, a pregnancy test will come to the rescue. Whatever it is, its functioning is based on the determination of human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine, which appears immediately after implantation of the embryo inside the uterus, that is, 7-10 days after conception. And if you do the test on the first day of the expected but not yet arrived menstruation, it will be informative. These devices come in several types:

Test strips. They are impregnated with a reagent, which, when immersed in morning urine, gives a result with an accuracy of 95% in 5-10 seconds. If another one appears next to the existing control line, the woman is pregnant;
Tablet. Able to indicate pregnancy if delayed by less than a week. A drop of morning urine is placed in the window provided for this purpose. After some time, the result is visible in the nearby rectangle;
Jet. Detects pregnancy with high accuracy at the earliest possible stage. The receiving tip of the device is placed under a stream of urine, and the result will be visible in a few minutes in the window provided for this purpose.

It happens that tests provide information that does not correspond to reality. The reason for this is violation of instructions or taking medications containing hCG.

How to determine the deadline

To track pregnancy, both the doctor and the expectant mother need to know its duration. This is the basis for prescribing research, monitoring the development of the fetus, and the possibility of identifying pathology. Thanks to knowing the due date, it is easy to determine the date of the upcoming birth. There are several counting methods:

According to the day of ovulation. It occurs approximately in the middle of the cycle. If it is 28 days, then conception occurred 14 days after the start date of the last menstruation. You can also determine the day of ovulation by regularly measuring your basal temperature;
Using ultrasound. The size of the fertilized egg is clearly visible on the screen, according to which the doctor will calculate the due date. This method is most informative up to 24 weeks;
Examination of the uterus. The gynecologist will determine the period based on its size, starting from the 5th week, when the organ begins to enlarge;
At the first movement of the fetus. As a rule, this happens at 18-20 weeks, sometimes at 16. It’s a little late, but some inattentive women find out about pregnancy this way.

How to live with pregnancy

Lifestyle should be aimed at ensuring the normal development of the unborn child and the well-being of the woman. This does not mean that all pleasures become inaccessible, but the life of the expectant mother becomes more orderly:

It is necessary to monitor nutrition so that the fetus receives enough vitamins and microelements. You should forget about coffee, green tea, seafood, legumes for now, and reduce carbohydrates, which cause weight gain. But meat, fish, dairy products, vegetables, and fruits are not prohibited in the diet;
You must take vitamins as prescribed by your doctor. Folic acid is especially important. But vitamin A needs moderate doses, otherwise the child faces pathologies;
Rest and comfort are the main components of the daily routine. This also applies to clothes and linen. Sleep should be at least 8 hours, mental, physical and emotional stress should be reduced. 1.5-hour walks in the fresh air and exercises to strengthen the spine, abdominal muscles, and perineum are important;
The use of transport should be limited due to possible shaking, which creates unwanted vibration;
Heavy lifting and shock household work, especially with the use of chemicals, are prohibited;
Alcohol and smoking are the enemies of pregnancy. Even infrequent use can cause deformities in a child;
Medicines and plants are taken only as prescribed by a doctor;
You should still take good care of yourself, but without using toxic cosmetics, acrylic and ammonia materials, solariums, or hardware methods. It is better to choose care and hygiene products that are specifically designed for pregnant women;
The breast is prepared for future feeding by washing with warm and cool water, air baths 10 minutes 3 times a day;
During a normal pregnancy, vaginal sex is not prohibited. As the period increases, you just need to protect the growing belly from pressure on it.

Feeling unwell is not uncommon during different periods of pregnancy. Typical problems in women:

Toxicosis. It manifests itself from the beginning of pregnancy with nausea, vomiting, aversion to food and certain odors. By the 12th week, toxicosis passes, but even before this time you can alleviate its symptoms if you eat a piece of salty biscuit with sweetened weak tea in the morning, drink 1.5 liters of liquid per day, reduce portions and increase the number of meals to 6;
in the legs. The enlarging uterus compresses the vessels, so the blood supply to the muscles is disrupted. The body may lack calcium and potassium. Products containing these microelements, mini-exercises with squeezing and unclenching your toes will help;
Dizziness. They can occur for various reasons: stuffiness, cramped conditions, fatigue. You can cope with the problem by avoiding the conditions that create it;
Insomnia. It is caused by anxiety and changes in the body, which provoke the need to go to the toilet frequently, and the inability to choose a comfortable position due to the stomach. Sleeping at the same hours, drinking warm milk shortly before, and resting during the day will help;
. You can eliminate the problem if you drink a glass of water after waking up, and add it to it before meals. lemon juice, walk a lot, introduce prunes and dried apricots into your diet.

Childbirth: readiness No. 1

In the entire chain of childbirth, this is what women fear most. Childbirth is a serious challenge, but the vast majority of mothers successfully overcome it. In addition, specialists are always nearby, ready to help.

What to take to the maternity hospital

The necessary things and documents should be prepared in advance. Before giving birth, you need to take with you only those that are needed directly for the woman and the newborn. Everything else is collected and left for later; these things will be brought by a happy father later.
Documentation:

Passport;
Exchange card;
Results of the latest tests for today;
Medical policy;
Birth certificate;
Agreement with the clinic (if concluded).

Things for childbirth and stay in the ward:

Spacious nightgown;
Socks, thin and thicker, but not wool;
Hygiene supplies (soap, comb, toothbrush and toothpaste, napkins, toilet paper);
A pair of small terry towels;
Robe;
Washable slippers with non-slip soles.

Items that will be needed after childbirth and upon discharge:

Sanitary pads and disposable underwear for mother;
2 with front clasp;
Cream for cracked nipples;
Laxative suppositories;
Diapers for newborns 1 set. Another one is bought according to the size of the baby;
Baby soap, cream, soft towel;
Sterile cotton wool;
Thin and thick undershirts, caps, diapers, mittens;
Blanket or “envelope”, hat, overalls, socks for discharge. All things according to the weather;
Clothes and cosmetics for mom. The one in which the woman came to the maternity hospital will most likely turn out to be large.

How does childbirth go?

Healthy women give birth to a child naturally, that is, through the birth canal. The process, which is assisted by a midwife or doctor, is divided into 3 phases:

The first is counted from the beginning of regular contractions until the cervix is fully dilated by 4 cm. This is the longest part - 8-10 hours. Sometimes the process is stimulated with medications;
The second lasts 3-4 hours. The contractions intensify and become more frequent, the amniotic sac opens and the water breaks. The cervix dilates to 6-8 cm, and the fetus moves to the level of the pelvic floor;
The third is characterized by the opening of the uterine pharynx by 10-12 cm and lasts from 20 minutes to 2 hours. It moves into the main part of labor, although the activity of the process seems to weaken. But this is not so, it is after the cervix is fully dilated that the fetal head passes through the pelvic ring, and after 8-10 attempts by the mother the baby comes out. Sometimes, to make this part of the journey easier, the woman's perineum is cut.

During the first two phases, the woman is allowed to sit down and walk to stimulate labor. In some clinics, the process takes place with pain relief. The condition of the woman in labor is monitored by measuring blood pressure, temperature, and doing vaginal examinations.

After the baby is born and the pulsation in the umbilical cord stops, it is cut. The placenta leaves the uterus in 2-3 contractions, and the woman is given medications to prevent bleeding.

C-section

It should be prescribed according to indications, but sometimes it is done at the request of the woman. The planned operation is carried out as follows:

On the operating table, the woman is given an epidural or general anesthesia. An IV and a device for measuring pressure are placed, as well as a catheter for draining urine;
The woman’s belly is wiped with an antiseptic, the doctor dissects the abdominal wall and anterior uterus, removes the child, and cuts the umbilical cord. This takes 10-15 minutes;
The surgeon separates the placenta, examines the uterine cavity, and sutures the organ. Then sutures are placed on the abdominal wall, a bandage and ice are placed on top;
The woman is placed in intensive care for a day, where saline and antibiotics are administered.

After transfer to the ward, the stitches are processed every day, and the painkillers are stopped after 3-4 days.

A woman’s body recovers faster;

No need to waste time searching for the right one baby food, money to buy it, fiddling with preparing and sterilizing bottles.

Usually the baby is put to the breast on the third day after birth, and before that the woman has to pump. It hurts, but it is necessary so that you can then feed for at least 6 months, and preferably up to a year. In this regard, new mothers are concerned about two problems:

Lack of milk;
Cracked nipples.

The first can be solved by putting the baby to the breast frequently and taking lactation-stimulating drugs: an infusion of anise seeds, grated carrots with sour cream. A woman will have to drink a lot of fluids and eat right to prevent the baby from developing gas.

Cracked nipples need to be treated with special creams and air baths. It is also necessary to learn how to properly breastfeed your baby so that he grasps the nipple along with the areola.

Body after childbirth

In this part, women suffer the most from their stomach. It is no longer as flat as before; during pregnancy, the muscles stretched and sagged slightly. But you don't have to put up with it. There are some measures you can take:

Change your diet. If you include oatmeal, rice, vegetables, fruits in your diet, and drink a lot of water, this will speed up metabolic processes. Belly fat will slowly but steadily begin to disappear. Don't forget that a large number of fiber is harmful to the baby if he is breastfed. But fasting is unacceptable, because the milk will disappear. Therefore, in your zeal for harmony you need to know when to stop;
Restore muscle tone. Gentle exercises for the abdomen will help: abdominal breathing, tension during a walk, while doing household chores. You need to increase the load gradually; you can exercise intensively six months after giving birth, if it passed without complications.

Postpartum discharge

The uterus does not recover within a day after childbirth. This process lasts for some time, during which the woman develops lochia. At first they contain a lot of blood, then they gradually lighten and by the end of the 6-8th week after birth they become transparent or white.

Menstruation can come in 1.5-2 months if the woman does not breastfeed. Lactation extends the period without menstruation to six months. But on average and at breastfeeding they begin in the 4th month after birth, because by this time the baby is already introduced to complementary foods and less breastfeeding.

Sex after childbirth

You will have to abstain from it for another 4-6 weeks if the birth was normal. The woman’s genital area must be fully restored, then sex will be a joy and will not cause pain and infection.
After caesarean section or perineal ruptures will take 2 months to recover.

During the first sexual intercourse, a woman may feel pain and discomfort. This is due to vaginal dryness, which can be corrected with a lubricant, or better yet, with a long prelude to intercourse. The tone of the walls is almost always reduced. But this problem can also be solved by training the vagina with Kegel exercises.

Pregnancy is the most crucial period in a woman’s life. In order to avoid various situations where something could go wrong, you should clearly know what pregnant women should not do at different stages. The primary task of a pregnant woman is to adjust her diet, establish harmony with the world around her, and have a positive attitude, not forgetting to maintain a healthy lifestyle. With this attitude towards her health, a woman will give birth to a full-fledged baby, who will give real happiness to the whole family.

What pregnant women should absolutely not do: dangerous habits

Cigarettes

Bad habits cause irreparable harm to a woman’s body. Today, more than ever, we should focus on this. Alcoholic drinks, smoking, “passive smoking” will only harm the woman and the fetus. A pregnant woman should avoid places where smokers gather. This is especially common at work, when a group of employees retire for smoke breaks. Lately Smoking areas have been legalized in public toilets, where a pregnant woman has to go so often. The components of cigarettes remain in the air for a long time even after the smoker leaves, especially if the room does not have forced ventilation.

The accumulation of nicotine and tar in the blood increases blood pressure, which can provoke a miscarriage at any time. Alcohol, in turn, puts everyone's jobs at risk. internal organs. Even, at first glance, low-alcohol drinks, such as beer or Martini, can cause severe intoxication of the body of the woman herself and the embryo. Alcohol irreversibly destroys groups of vital cells of the brain, hematopoietic organs, respiratory system, and nerve endings.

What clothes are harmful to pregnancy?

Great importance should be paid to clothing. During pregnancy, every woman needs to reconsider her wardrobe and change her preferences. You need to start with shoes. It should be comfortable, light, made of natural materials, and suitable for weather conditions. It is unacceptable to wear high-heeled shoes that are too narrow and have a high instep throughout the day.

Tight clothing negatively affects the health of a pregnant woman. You need to give up thongs, too-tight skirts with belts that are too tight at the waist.

How to sleep when pregnant?

Starting from the second trimester, a pregnant woman should not sleep on her back. An enlarged uterus in this position of the body puts increased pressure on the inferior vena cava, as a result of which the blood supply to the embryo worsens and blood stagnation in the peritoneum of the mother. This is fraught with fetal freezing and disruption of internal organs. abdominal cavity women. For the same reason, pregnant women should not sit for long periods of time.

Vaccinations

Expectant mothers should not be vaccinated. Exceptions may include the following vaccinations:

from the flu;
from anthrax;
from rabies;
from yellow fever;
from encephalitis.

Other vaccines can cause severe allergic reactions and complications.

Working with household chemicals is extremely dangerous for a pregnant woman throughout her entire pregnancy. Toxic substances quickly penetrate the blood and quickly dissolve, spreading through the bloodstream throughout the body. Means used to combat indoor insects and garden pests cause equal harm to a woman’s body and fetus.

Cosmetics

The danger is cosmetical tools, to which hormones and vitamins are added. An excess of these substances can lead to deformities and diseases in the developing embryo. These products also include hair dyes, antiperspirants, hair and nail sprays, household chemicals for washing dishes and sanitary surfaces.

Gym

Classes in gym should be discontinued during pregnancy. Excessive physical activity is strictly contraindicated for pregnant women at any stage.

cat litter

You can't clean up the cat litter. Contact with animal feces risks transmitting toxoplasmosis to a woman, which can cause the death of the embryo.

Sex

Some women are prohibited by doctors from having sex during pregnancy. This is purely individual. In late pregnancy, sex is contraindicated.

Medicines

It is extremely important for a pregnant woman to choose medications to overcome illnesses. Throughout pregnancy, a woman can suffer respiratory infections, intestinal inflammation, severe migraines and much more. It can be difficult to cope with the disease without the help of pharmacological drugs. In such cases, the attending physician will prescribe gentle treatment with minimal risk to the health of the woman and the fetus.

What else should you not do during pregnancy?

Some activities that a woman is accustomed to in everyday life can negatively affect the development of the embryo and the health of the expectant mother. Sometimes you don’t even have to think about the dangers they conceal. Particular attention should be paid medicines, which should not be taken without consultation with your doctor.

Solarium

Pregnant women are prohibited from visiting the solarium. Throughout the entire period, the body actively produces melanin, sometimes this even leads to pigment spots on the skin of different parts of the body. Additional ultraviolet radiation can make the situation worse. Therefore, when going outside in the summer, when the sun is more active, you should apply a protective sunscreen to your skin.

Aircraft

Flying on airplanes poses a high risk. At the moment of takeoff, blood pressure rises sharply due to the difference in atmospheric pressure and low oxygen concentration in the air. This may cause a miscarriage. Flight time is usually limited to several hours. Throughout this period, passengers are in a sitting position, they are inactive and do not have the opportunity to go out into the fresh air. All these factors are detrimental to a pregnant woman, and it is almost impossible to eliminate them until the plane arrives at its final destination.

X-ray and fluorography

Pregnant women do not undergo X-rays or fluorography. These studies have Negative influence on fetal development. The nervous system, heart, respiratory and hematopoietic organs may be affected. X-rays are especially dangerous in the first trimester, when the formation of all internal organs and the brain occurs.

Conflicts and emotional TV shows

No matter how we all feel about the frequent stressful situations that surround us in the modern world, a pregnant woman, like no one else, needs to avoid them. Conflict situations in which pregnant women are forced to take part can provoke severe, prolonged headaches, psychosomatic disorders, and exacerbation of chronic diseases that are in a “dormant” state. You should avoid watching heavy psychological programs and movies. It also causes stress, which results in increased levels of the hormone cortisol in the blood, often leading to premature birth.

Hot shower and sauna

It is extremely dangerous to take a hot shower and steam in a bathhouse. This can cause bleeding and miscarriage. The water temperature for swimming should not exceed 40°C.

Nutrition and daily routine: all the pros and cons

For some reason, there is an opinion that pregnancy for most women is an unbearable test due to the fact that there are a huge number of prohibitions and restrictions. Actually this is not true. An observing doctor will help you adjust your diet. Some products should really be excluded, however, they can be replaced with less dangerous ones that will not cause harm to the pregnant woman’s body and the embryo.

A pregnant woman needs to follow a daily routine. This includes getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet. Anyone experiencing sleep deprivation is irritable, unable to concentrate, and performs normal daily activities with an overwhelming feeling of fatigue. Of course, in a pregnant woman this condition affects the development of the embryo. The fetus is very sensitive to even minor changes in the mother's mood.

The diet is of particular importance during pregnancy. Not everyone is ready to change their eating habits, however, everything that the supervising doctor recommends is aimed at maintaining the health of the mother and child.

The expectant mother should avoid drinking too strong coffee and tea. These are diuretics; they remove fluid from the body along with calcium, significantly increasing blood pressure.

Meat and seafood must be subjected to mandatory heat treatment to avoid infection with helminths. Sushi, shellfish and dried river fish are particularly at risk.

Table No. 1 provides a list of products that should be excluded from diet pregnant woman, or reduce their consumption.

Table No. 1. What foods should be excluded during pregnancy

Exclude		Not advisable

Alcohol		Fish high in mercury	Tuna and salmon accumulate mercury. The harm from mercury has been little studied, only the vapors are poisonous, but doctors do not recommend that pregnant women consume seafood that contains a high content of this element. The lowest levels of mercury are observed in trout, sprat, sardines, horse mackerel, and flounder.
Soft cheeses	There is a high risk of containing Listeria bacteria, which can cause miscarriage. Soft varieties of cheese, such as Feta, Brie, and blue cheeses, should be avoided during pregnancy and the lactation period.	Artificial sweeteners	Artificial sweeteners can negatively affect the development of the embryo. Natural sugar substitutes: stevia and sucralose are considered safe. Saccharin and Sodium Cyclamate are contraindicated.
Unpasteurized milk	Raw milk carries many potential dangers. These may be infections caused by pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms. Some of them do not manifest themselves immediately after entering the body, and diagnosing the resulting disease is very difficult.	Artificial sweeteners
	Liver has a high content of retinol, which large quantities may negatively affect the development of the embryo.		Caffeine, along with other tonic substances, can lead to miscarriage, especially if the woman is pregnant. However, it is not necessary to completely eliminate coffee. It is better to consult a doctor.
Meat, fish, chicken, smoked meats	Pregnant women should not eat sausages produced for retail sale in supermarkets. Such sausages can be made from meat, as they say, “not the first freshness”, flavored with a large amount of spices and salt. You should also avoid dried fish, sushi, and smoked meats. The ingredients used in smokehouses are extremely harmful to anyone, let alone pregnant women. Fish that has not undergone heat treatment should be excluded during pregnancy and lactation. Fish meat may contain some dangerous helminths. River fish caught in suburban areas carries the risk of phenolic intoxication.	Canned food
A raw egg	Raw eggs are contraindicated for pregnant women, as Salmonella can multiply in them, which causes severe gastrointestinal disorders, including prolonged dysentery.	Canned pickles	Canned vegetables, due to their high salt and spice content, can cause an increased feeling of thirst, increasing swelling. Salt consumed in large quantities leads to dehydration, and in the early stages contributes to miscarriage. Brine should be excluded from preservation altogether. The use of preserves must be agreed upon with the supervising physician.
	Mushrooms are a little-studied product that is practically not absorbed by the body. Moreover, mushrooms can cause indigestion and even poisoning.	Store juices	Industrially produced juices may contain artificial colors and preservatives that can cause allergic reactions.
	It is not worth exposing the body of a woman and her unborn child to the risk of exposure to little-studied drugs that have not undergone clinical trials and have not received the necessary quality certificates, which have been dietary supplements over the past several decades. If there is still a need to take such drugs, you should coordinate their use with your supervising doctor.		Most spices have a tonic and stimulating effect on the centers of the peripheral nervous system. Adding even a small amount of spices to a pregnant woman's food can increase appetite, which is not desirable for everyone. Also, in the early stages of pregnancy, hot spices can cause miscarriage.

Folk signs: should you believe them?

IN modern world, despite scientific and technological progress, philistine superstitions still exist, to which even highly educated people often succumb. Folk signs that suggest what pregnant women should not do have come to our time from the deep past, when ancient peoples tracked natural phenomena and worshiped the power of unbridled elements. Many modern people sincerely believe in folk signs. Perhaps at this moment little-studied mechanisms are launched in the body on a subconscious level. If a person believes in signs, they will definitely have an impact.

So, the most common signs for pregnant women:

You should not play with cats - the child will have many enemies;
You should not tell your friends about your pregnancy at an early stage - they may jinx it;
You can’t sit on the threshold - this is the border with the other world, which is dominated by evil spirits;
Eating red berries is dangerous - the child will have too red facial skin throughout his life;
You cannot knit or sew - the baby may become entangled in the umbilical cord, which will complicate the delivery process;
You can’t cut your hair - it shortens the life path of the unborn child;
You cannot eat secretly and in the dark - the child will be born fearful and anxious;
You cannot purchase things for an unborn baby before the moment of birth - things that are not worn immediately after purchase are the refuge of evil spirits;
You cannot attend a funeral - in a cemetery, evil spirits can inhabit a baby who does not have a guardian angel before birth;
You cannot sit with your legs crossed - the baby may be born with crooked legs or flat feet;
You can’t hold your hands above your head for a long time (hanging curtains, underwear) - the baby may get tangled in the umbilical cord and be too active after birth;
You cannot use obscene language when you are pregnant - the baby may be born with large birthmarks.

To believe or not to take folk signs on faith is a personal matter for each person. The gullibility of many people gives them peace of mind and reduces anxiety. This has a beneficial effect on mental state pregnant. Although common sense should prevail in everything. For example, when it comes to cutting the hair on your head or consuming fruits that have a red tint.

Before you had time to announce to your family and friends about your interesting situation, you were literally bombarded with advice and signs related to pregnancy? Don’t worry, most of the taboos and superstitions about what you shouldn’t do during pregnancy can be safely discarded.

Another thing is the prohibitions from the field of physiology and medicine: they should not be neglected. Let's go through the most popular prohibitions and figure out what pregnant women really can't do.

Bad habits

It’s not for nothing that smoking, drinking alcohol, and especially drugs, were called bad habits. Almost everyone should give them up, and especially women carrying a child.

Smoking. The placenta cannot protect your baby from cigarette smoke. All toxins and harmful substances penetrate the baby through the circulatory system and negatively affect the development of internal organs;

Delays in the baby's development insufficient growth and weight, pathology of the pulmonary system - all these are the consequences of smoking cigarettes (about how a baby develops normally, read the article Development of a child in the womb >>>). Nicotine can cause placental abruption, fetal birth loss, and may trigger premature labor.

Alcohol. Alcohol easily penetrates to the baby through circulatory system. Systematic abuse of ethanol leads to child growth retardation, development of hearing and vision pathologies, cardiac and skeletal systems;

Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages will be noticeable after the birth of the child, and especially clearly by the age of two: a small head volume, a flat, sloping face and narrow eyes

Drugs. A categorical ban on drug use: pathologies of all internal organs, underdevelopment of the skeleton, muscular and skeletal systems, problems with the kidneys, liver and genitourinary system, heart diseases... This list can be continued endlessly. But there is one more nuance: a child born from a drug-addicted mother is already born with drug addiction.

Smoking, drinking and using drugs - this is exactly the categorical list of what you should not do during pregnancy. And this is far from superstition.

Special menu

The development and well-being of your baby directly depends on what you eat. Undoubtedly, your gastronomic tastes have changed a lot, you are increasingly drawn to salty things, but this very salty thing is often in the taboo zone:

Preservatives and stabilizers. You need to give up preservatives, as they suppress the synthesis of proteins, which the baby simply cannot do without;
Additives, dyes, flavor enhancers. During pregnancy you need vitamins and useful material, and not their chemical substitutes. The solution is to cook it yourself fresh products(read about what to cook and how to eat properly in the book Secrets of Proper Nutrition for an Expectant Mother >>>);
Smoked meats and fatty foods. Your body already undergoes certain stresses; fatty and smoked foods negatively affect the liver, kidneys, urinary system, and can provoke gastritis (current article: Gastritis during pregnancy >>>). As for smoked meats, be aware that the “liquid smoke” that manufacturers are so fond of can cause cancer;
Coffee and black tea. This point is quite controversial. If you are hypotensive and cannot imagine the morning without a cup of aromatic coffee, then you can afford one serving of weak coffee with cream. But abuse can lead to dehydration of the body and the removal of calcium, which your baby needs for growth and development. In addition, strong tea and coffee increase blood pressure;

Carbonated drinks . You should not drink soda during pregnancy, as it can cause bloating and flatulence. In addition, sweet carbonated drinks contain preservatives and sweeteners. May lead to increased blood sugar and cause allergies;
Mushrooms . It is better to avoid mushrooms during pregnancy. Since there is a risk of poisoning even with proven mushrooms, and in your situation it is not worth the risk;
Chocolate. The happiness hormone in the form of a small piece of chocolate will not harm you, but in large quantities it can cause allergies. Read the article on the topic: Can pregnant women eat chocolate?>>>.

Lifestyle

You must remember that pregnancy is not a disease, but a state of mind. Refuse active life position You shouldn’t, but you need to figure out what pregnant women can do and what they can’t:

Physical exercise. It is clear that weights are now taboo for you, the maximum load is 5 kg. By the way, it’s good to sign up for specialized fitness for pregnant women - it will help you prepare for the upcoming birth, strengthen your back and prevent you from gaining extra pounds;
Dream. There is a prohibition regarding sleeping position. During pregnancy, you should not sleep on your back, as the vena cava, which is located under the uterus, may be compressed;
Extreme. Adrenaline release and increase blood pressure- this is the result of extreme entertainment;
Airplane. More often than not, flying is considered a taboo, which should not be done in the early stages of pregnancy. There is a risk of miscarriage due to pressure changes. Last weeks pregnancy - also not best time for heavenly journeys. Read more in the article Airplane during pregnancy >>>;
Sex. If there is a threat of miscarriage or other complications of pregnancy, sex is contraindicated for you. Useful: Sex in the first month of pregnancy >>>

We need to find a middle ground between physical activity and rest: you can do your homework, but in doses. Where can you use it? household appliances– load it at full speed. Washing, cleaning and cooking during your pregnancy is delegated to your household helpers.

Folk signs

A special column of prohibitions during pregnancy are folk signs and superstitions. Many of them can be explained, but most dissipate upon closer examination:

The list of prohibitions, signs and superstitions during pregnancy is quite long, but the period of bearing a baby is not so long, you can be patient for the sake of meeting your most beloved and long-awaited baby.