Precautions during Last Weeks of Pregnancy

Pregnancy accounts for several changes in a woman’s body. To keep the baby and the mother safe, it is of utmost importance for the mother to take special precautions, especially in the last weeks of pregnancy.

Bid Goodbye to Harmful Habits

To prevent any complications of pregnancy, such as that of gestational diabetes, premature delivery and birth defects, the pregnant mother must quit drinking and smoking. Consuming alcohol can cause fontal alcohol syndrome by virtue of which the baby develops unusual facial features and does not have a normal brain development. Other more serious complications that smoking and drinking in the last few weeks of pregnancy may lead to include stillbirth and sudden infant death syndrome.

[Read: Medicines to Avoid during Pregnancy] 

Avoid these Foods

The kinds of food that a pregnant mother must avoid in the last few weeks of pregnancy are pretty much what the pregnant woman should avoid during her pregnancy term irrespective of what phase of pregnancy it is. Some of the foods that need to be strictly avoided by a pregnant woman on her last weeks of pregnancy include:

• Unpasteurised cheese and food items with raw eggs, such as mousse and salad dressing.

• Packaged items, raw fish and processed meats as they include harmful bacteria that can lead to birth defects.

• Fruits, such as grapes, papaya and pineapple. Unripe or semi-ripe papayas can trigger uterine contractions that may lead to early delivery. Pineapples can also trigger labour before the due date. Avoid unwashed fruits and vegetables.

• Limit the intake of coffee. Stay away from green tea, sodas, cold drinks, etc.

Read: What Foods not to eat when Pregnant.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is a potent cause of miscarriage and other birth defects in the baby. After having come a long way in pregnancy, you surely do not want your baby to be born with defects. Your body needs as much water as it needed when it had to create an appropriate environment to nurture the baby. Drink plenty of water and eat watery fruits and vegetables, such as muskmelon, watermelon and cucumber.

Read: Things to Avoid during Pregnancy.

Keep Away from Animals

Limit any contacts with animals as that is likely to expose you to a harmful parasite named toxoplasma Gondi. Coming in contact with this parasite can attack the foetus and lead to a lifelong damage to it. The parasite may lead to problems, such as severe eye defects in the baby, premature birth and poor physical growth.

While these precautions must be taken right from the first week of pregnancy, pregnant mothers must ensure that they take these uber seriously in the last weeks of pregnancy.

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