In early pregnancy, avoid alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs, and limit caffeine (under 200mg/day). Stay away from raw/undercooked meats, eggs, seafood, unpasteurized dairy, soft cheeses (like brie, feta), deli meats, sprouts, and high-mercury fish (shark, marlin) due to bacteria/parasite risks (Listeria, Toxoplasmosis). Also avoid hot tubs, saunas, and changing cat litter (risk of toxoplasmosis).
During the first trimester, avoid alcohol, smoking, and drugs, limit caffeine, and steer clear of foods like high-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, marlin), raw/undercooked meats, eggs, seafood (sushi, smoked salmon), unpasteurized dairy, and soft cheeses, plus activities like cleaning litter boxes (toxoplasmosis risk) or using saunas/hot tubs (overheating), to protect the vulnerable developing baby from infections, toxins, and overheating.
Don't eat undercooked meat, poultry or eggs
During pregnancy, you're at a higher risk of food poisoning from bacteria. This is called foodborne illness.
Don't eat raw meat.
Pregnant people who eat raw or undercooked meat and eggs are at risk of contracting listeriosis and toxoplasmosis. These can lead to serious and life-threatening illnesses and can cause severe birth defects and miscarriage. Cook your meat and eggs thoroughly before eating.
When you're pregnant, you should avoid eating soft cheeses, unpasteurised milk products and raw meat, fish and eggs — these may contain germs that can harm your baby. Wash all fruits and vegetables and don't eat them if they've been pre-cut.
Miscarriages are most often caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, meaning the baby has the wrong number of chromosomes, which prevents proper development, especially common in first-trimester losses and linked to older maternal age. Other significant causes include maternal health issues (uncontrolled diabetes, thyroid problems, autoimmune diseases like lupus, blood clotting disorders, infections), uterine problems (fibroids, structural issues), and lifestyle factors (smoking, excessive alcohol/caffeine, certain drugs). In many cases, the exact cause remains unknown, and it's usually not the parent's fault.
What foods are not safe to eat during pregnancy? Some foods are more prone to infections, such as soft cheese, uncooked meat and poultry, sprouts, raw eggs, caffeine, alcohol and fish. It is best to avoid these foods during pregnancy as they affect the immune system and the fetus.
DANGER SIGNS DURING PREGNANCY
The "3-2-1 Rule" in pregnancy is a guideline for first-time mothers to know when to call their midwife or doctor for active labor: consistent contractions every 3 minutes, lasting 2 minutes each (or 1 minute long for some variations), for over 1 hour. It helps differentiate true labor from false labor (Braxton Hicks), signaling it's time to head to the birthing center, while subsequent pregnancies often follow the faster 5-1-1 rule.
Meat and poultry
There's a small risk of getting toxoplasmosis if you eat raw and undercooked meat, which can cause miscarriage. Cured meats are not cooked, so they may have parasites in them that cause toxoplasmosis. Liver and liver products have lots of vitamin A in them. This can be harmful to an unborn baby.
The fetus is most vulnerable during the first 12 weeks. During this period of time, all of the major organs and body systems are forming and can be damaged if the fetus is exposed to drugs, infectious agents, radiation, certain medications, tobacco and toxic substances.
It is totally fine to take baths while you're pregnant as long as the water isn't too hot, i.e., the water shouldn't be warmer than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You should avoid soaking in water that is hot enough to raise your body temperature higher than 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius).
Toxoplasmosis (tok-so-plaz-MOE-sis) is an infection with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. People often get the infection from eating undercooked meat. You can also get it from contact with cat feces. The parasite can pass to a baby during pregnancy.
A pregnancy may also be more likely to end in miscarriage if you:
There's no perfect time to share your pregnancy—do what feels right for you. Many wait until after the first trimester. Miscarriage risk drops after 13 weeks, but it's also OK to tell trusted loved ones earlier for support.
Do avoid exposure to pesticides, lead, and mercury. Don't smoke or vape tobacco or marijuana, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during your pregnancy.
The 5-5-5 rule is a guideline for what kind of help a postpartum mom needs: five days in bed, five days round the bed — meaning minimal walking around — the next five days around the home. This practice will help you prioritize rest and recovery while gradually increasing activity.
Maintaining a healthy pregnancy is not hard when you know how to do it! The three golden rules are to always listen to your doctor's advice, eat healthy, and stay active. Remember, don't focus only on your baby's growth because ultimately keeping yourself healthy is the first step to keeping your baby healthy!
Most miscarriages - 8 out of 10 (80 percent) - happen in the first trimester before the 12th week of pregnancy. Many people who miscarry are able to go on to have a healthy pregnancy later. Miscarriages can happen in different ways, that's why it's important to know the different signs and symptoms.
Red flags to look out for in pregnant women include severe back pain, bleeding, headaches, and high fever.
Cramps, a bit like period pains, are very common in early pregnancy. These are usually caused by changes in your hormones and by your growing womb. Sometimes stomach pains in early pregnancy can be a sign of something more serious such as: ectopic pregnancy.
Don't drink alcohol
Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to your baby. The more you drink, the greater the risk. There is no known safe level for drinking alcohol during pregnancy, so it's best to avoid it completely during pregnancy. Find out more about drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
While most fruits are safe and healthy during pregnancy, pregnant individuals should avoid unripe papaya, which contains latex that can cause contractions, and consume pineapple, grapes, and dates in moderation, especially in the first trimester, due to enzymes or high sugar content that might trigger early labor or blood sugar spikes. Thoroughly washing all fresh fruit and avoiding pre-cut or bruised produce is crucial to prevent foodborne illness, and it's always best to consult your doctor for personalized advice.
Alcohol. Drinking alcohol in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to your baby. If you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant, the safest approach is to not drink alcohol at all. This keeps risks to your baby to a minimum.
When is the right time to start eating dates during pregnancy to help with labor? Studies recommend beginning around week 36 of pregnancy. Eating 6 to 7 dates every day until delivery might help with labor. Eating them earlier is fine but may not offer the same benefits for preparing your body for labor.