5 foods/beverages to avoid during pregnancy

• Alchohol
• Soft cheeses
• Seafood
• Processed meats
• Caffeine

Alcohol during pregnancy may contribute to miscarriage, stillbirth, small birth size and premature labour. Premature babies are prone to illness slow growth and development.

Soft cheeses can contain listeria bacteria that causes an infection called listeriosis. Pregnant women are advised not to eat any mould-ripened soft cheese such as brie, camembert, feta, blue vein, mould ripened soft cheese made with goats milk and others with a similar rind. It is not safe to eat soft cheeses as the listeria can cause complication during pregnancy.

Seafood

Unborn babies are at risk from mercury. The mercury in fish can lead to raised mercury levels in the mother. This mercury can be passed on through the placenta to her developing baby. The fetus appears to be most sensitive to the effects of mercury during the third and fourth months of a pregnancy. The effects on the brain and nervous system may not be noticed until developmental milestones, such as walking, talking are delayed, memory, language and attention span may also be affected.

Processed meats contain listeria toxoplasma and salmonella, the problem for pregnant women is they are more susceptible to get it and their developing babies are more vulnerable to serious complication and even death. It is not safe to eat raw or under cooked meat, poultry, fish or sushi. Meat and poultry can harbour parasites or bacteria that cause food poisoning. These conditions are particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

Caffeine

Excessive caffeine consumption (defined as drinking three or more cups of coffee or tea daily during first trimester) has been also associated with a higher incidence of miscarriage and low birth weight. As it does in adults caffeine can increase a baby’s heart rate, caffeine causes birth defects in humans. Numerous studies on animals have shown that caffeine can cause birth defects, premature labour, preterm delivery, reduced fertility and increase the risk of low-birth weight offspring and other reproductive problems.

Surfcoast massage is fully qualified and experienced in pregnancy massage and can help you through the 40 weeks of pregnancy. Surfcoast massage is located in Torquay and Jan Juc and can be contacted on 0438668878. Call Lisa to arrange an appointment.