Pregnancy is exciting, but it can also feel like walking on eggshells. You're thrilled, a little nervous, and suddenly aware of every move you make. You want to do everything right, but you’re bombarded with advice from every direction. That’s why we’ve made it simple for you. This guide isn’t meant to scare you. It’s here to help. Below, you’ll find a list of activities to avoid during pregnancy —and, more importantly, why they’re not safe for you and your baby. Let’s dive in.
Activities to avoid during pregnancy
Heavy Lifting:
If you are first-time pregnant, you might have googled it once – “Is it okay to lift that grocery bag?” Well nothing wrong with lifting a grocery bag unless it has heavy cooking oil canisters. Even if you have always been a strong girl, it’s time to take a back seat and let your partner handle the loads for you. And here is why you should be lifting heavy weights during pregnancy:
When you’re pregnant, your body is already under pressure. Lifting heavy objects can strain your back, pull on muscles, and increase your risk of falling. Plus, it might put stress on your abdomen and even lead to preterm labor in serious cases.
High-Impact Sports:
Keeping yourself active and busy with sports while being pregnant is a great idea, but choosing high-impact sports like basketball, soccer, skiing, and horseback riding is a big NO! Not because you don’t know how to do it, but it is not safe for you and the baby and here is why:
High-impact sports involve a high risk of falling, collisions, or sudden movements. These can seriously harm both you and your baby. Falling is a major concern during pregnancy. A hard blow to the abdomen can cause complications like placental abruption, which is life-threatening.
Hot Tubs and Saunas:
Soaking in a hot tub might feel like the last resort to deal with painful pregnancy symptoms, but be careful. Hot Tubs and Saunas can have negative impact on yours and baby’s health. Here is why you should avoid Hot Tubs and Saunas that may sound like heaven during pregnancy:
Rising temperature, especially in the first trimester, increases the risk of congenital disabilities. During this time, your baby’s organs are developing, and heat is a threat to them. Also, when you sit in hot temperatures, your blood pressure drops, and you feel dizzy and can even faint.
Smoking or Secondhand Smoke:
This one’s a biggie. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, congenital disabilities, and even miscarriage or stillbirth. Even if you don’t smoke, being around others who do is still risky.
We all know that tobacco smoke contains hundreds of harmful chemicals, including carbon monoxide and nicotine. These limit the oxygen your baby receives and slow down their development.
Pregnancy doesn’t mean putting your life on hold—but it does mean being more cautious, especially now that you know what you should avoid when pregnant. You’ve got this, mama. And your baby’s already lucky to have you.
