Baby health risks. Pregnancy can be one of the most rewarding times in a woman’s life, but it’s also one of the riskiest times as well. New moms are susceptible to experiencing high blood pressure, diabetes, complications from cesarean births, and other health problems that can affect their babies as well.
Because of this, you should always watch out for these 10 health risks for pregnant moms and their babies. It may help keep your family out of harm’s way.
10 Health Risks For Pregnant Moms And Their Babies
1. Falling while you are pregnant
Falling while you are pregnant can cause serious injury to both you and your baby. The risk of falling increases as your pregnancy progresses and your belly gets bigger. If you fall, try to land on your side to protect your baby. If you are injured, get medical help right away. You may need stitches or surgery.
It is best not to exercise too much during pregnancy, but it is okay to walk briskly around the block. Swimming and aqua aerobics are good exercises during pregnancy because they take the pressure off your joints and ligaments (which can make them more susceptible to injury).
2. Illegal drugs
Pregnant women who use illegal drugs are putting their babies at risk for a number of health problems. These include low birth weight, preterm labor, placental abruption, stillbirth, and neonatal abstinence syndrome. In some cases, these risks can lead to long-term health problems for the child.
For example, in addition to withdrawal symptoms from opiates like heroin or morphine, children may experience developmental delays or even cognitive impairment later in life. Similarly, nicotine may interfere with prenatal brain development and result in future behavioral issues such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
3. Accidental falls
Every year, pregnant women around the world suffer from accidental falls. Some of these falls are minor, but others can be quite serious. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, falls are the leading cause of death during pregnancy.
A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that a third of pregnant women in the United States will experience a fall during their pregnancy. Falls not only increase the risk for miscarriage, they also increase bleeding after birth and the chance of having an emergency cesarean delivery.
Falls could even lead to long-term disability if your baby suffers a head injury. Baby health risks.
4. Excessive exercise
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), pregnant women should avoid excessive exercise. This means no more than three hours of moderate activity or one hour of strenuous activity per week. Excessive exercise can lead to dehydration, which can cause problems for both mom and baby.
It can also lead to preterm labor, low birth weight, and miscarriage. Other risks include premature rupture of membranes, urinary tract infections, and gestational diabetes.
5. Toil during the first trimester
Though it’s often called the honeymoon period of pregnancy, the first trimester can actually be pretty tough on expectant mothers. From morning sickness and fatigue to food cravings and mood swings, there are a number of issues that can arise. Plus, there are some health risks that are specific to this stage of pregnancy.
Here are 10 of the most common ones: -The Zika virus has been linked to severe birth defects like microcephaly and brain damage in infants whose mothers contract the virus while pregnant.
-Most types of influenza (including swine flu) pose more serious risks to pregnant women than they do to other adults because an infection can lead to miscarriage or preterm labor.
-Pregnant women should stay away from cat litter boxes and certain raw meat products like sushi because toxoplasmosis can cause eye infections or other problems during the second and third trimesters.
-If you’re considering having sex during your pregnancy, make sure your partner wears a condom to protect against STDs such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and HIV.
6. Accidents at home
According to the National Safety Council, accidents are the leading cause of death for pregnant women and their babies. In fact, one in five pregnancy-related deaths is due to an accident. To keep you and your baby safe, take some time to make your home as safe as possible. Here are a few tips ·
Keep all medicines out of reach from children, including both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. · Keep all cleaning products up high where they’re less likely to be accidentally touched or spilled. · Lock any firearms that you have with trigger locks or by storing them unloaded and locked up separately from ammunition. Baby health risks.
7. Overexposure to chemicals
Many everyday products—cleaning supplies, cosmetics, even some foods—contain chemicals that can be harmful to you and your baby. When you’re pregnant, your body is more susceptible to the effects of these chemicals. That’s why it’s important to limit your exposure by reading labels and avoiding products with certain ingredients.
And if you’re worried about any cleaning product or other chemical, ask your doctor. Your pediatrician will know which are safe for use around babies and which are not. You should also avoid mercury-containing fish such as swordfish, tuna, and mackerel; alcohol; tobacco; illicit drugs; radiation from x-rays, or other sources.
8. Working long hours on your feet
Working long hours on your feet can lead to swelling in your ankles, legs, and feet. This can be dangerous for you and your baby if you don’t take the time to rest and put your feet up. Additionally, standing for long periods of time can cause varicose veins, which can also be dangerous for you and your baby.
If you must stand for long periods of time, make sure to wear comfortable shoes and take breaks often. The longer you’re on your feet, the more weight it puts on them, so it’s important to get off them as much as possible.
When you do get off them, make sure that you stretch out those sore muscles by walking around or sitting down for a few minutes before getting back up again.
9. Driving too much during pregnancy
Pregnant women who drive more than two hours a day are at an increased risk of having a car accident, according to a new study. The study, which was published in the British Medical Journal, found that the risk of being involved in a car accident rises as the amount of time pregnant women spend behind the wheel increases.
Some pregnancy-related complications like preeclampsia can also make driving hazardous, so it’s important for pregnant moms to be aware of the risks before they head out on the road. Baby health risks.
10. Lack of sleep
When you’re pregnant, you may find it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. This can be due to pregnancy hormones, anxiety about the baby, or simply because you can’t get comfortable. Not getting enough sleep can lead to serious health problems for both you and your baby.
Women who slept five hours a night during their third trimester were nearly four times more likely to have a Cesarean delivery, while those who slept less than six hours a night were three times more likely to have preeclampsia. Babies born with low birth weight (less than 5 pounds 8 ounces) are at risk of dying in infancy.
Further Thought On 10 Health Risks for Pregnant Moms and Their Babies
finally nts also have a higher risk of miscarriage, giving birth prematurely, or delivering a low-birth-weight baby. Factors such as smoking, alcohol use, drug use, and lack of prenatal care are all health risks that can affect the mother’s pregnancy.
Drop a comment in the section below and let us know more if any other risks you know about.
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