It is common knowledge that drinking alcoholic beverages or those that are high in caffeine, smoking, and taking herbal remedies are frowned upon while pregnant or nursing. These substances can have a negative impact on your baby’s growth and development. It is common knowledge that drinking alcoholic beverages or those that are high in caffeine, smoking, and taking herbal remedies are frowned upon while pregnant or nursing. There is a good reason for that. These substances can have a negative impact on your baby’s growth and development.

Effects of Drinking Alcohol or Caffeinated Beverages

Babies that are exposed to alcohol while in the womb are subjected to a high risk of birth defects and other serious health issues. This may be the case even if the alcohol intake is limited. Facial deformities, neurological problems, and slow development is only some of the problems that make be encountered should a mother drink heavily while pregnant. If you cannot stop drinking, consider joining a program like A.A.

Caffeine is another substance that should be limited while pregnant. The reason behind this is that caffeine increases both blood pressure and heart rate. It also can cause dehydration, which is not good for the baby. Watch what you drink while pregnant. If you are not pregnant yet, studies have shown that consuming too much caffeine can reduce fertility for some women. You will want to restrict your caffeine intake to no more than 300 mg per day, so always remember to read the label.

Smoking While Pregnant

Smoking is probably the worst thing for your baby. One cigarette contains over four thousand chemicals, none of which are beneficial for you or your baby. Your fetus’ only source of oxygen and nutrients come from your bloodstream and that is where the chemical from cigarettes end up. Without enough oxygen, your baby’s development will suffer greatly. If you are a smoker and refuse to quit, you are voluntarily putting your baby at a risk for low birth weight, premature delivery, and even stillbirth. Smoking can have a huge negative impact on fertility, too. So if you are trying to conceive, quit smoking.

Herbal Remedies While Pregnant

There are many herbal remedies that can have a negative impact on fertility (for both men and women). A couple of the more common ones are ginkgo biloba and St. John’s Wort. Some can increase cancer genes while others can reduce sperm viability. If you are unsure of the consequences for any particular herbal remedy, do a little research online or ask your doctor before using it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.