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Drinking alcohol -

Sorry moms, but drinking alcohol is highly discouraged while pregnant. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition that is passed from the mother to the child while pregnant. It causes brain damage and growth problems.

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Getting tattoos - Women should wait until they are no longer pregnant to get tattoos. There is a risk of contracting an infection, which can lead to hepatitis B and HIV.

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Heavy lifting - When you're pregnant, lifting heavy objects can be very dangerous for your child. The risks include possible premature labor and a low birth weight.

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Dying your hair -

Any contact with harsh chemicals should be avoided while you're pregnant. Both semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes have some toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin. However, the chances of significant harm are small.

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Drinking coffee - Drinking large amounts of coffee can be very dangerous while pregnant. Studies have linked caffeine consumption to increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.

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Drinking caffeinated tea - Similar to coffee, drinking caffeinated tea in excess should be avoided.

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Drinking herbal tea - If you thought herbal teas were 100% safe, think again. Some can be just as damaging as a cup of coffee!

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Eating sushi - Everyone talks about staying away from sushi while pregnant, but do you know why? Raw fish can carry harmful viruses and bacteria that have been known to cause food poisoning, which is dangerous for mom and baby alike.

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Cleaning cat litter - Bad news for cat people. Both feline litter and feces have been known to contain a parasite that can cause dangerous infections. The risks include miscarriage and stillbirth.

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Doing excessive yard work - This one may not be so bad, right? When you are pregnant, staying in the sun too long and over working yourself can be harmful. Relax, and enjoy the autumn leaves!

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Drinking out of BPA water bottles - Researchers have found that consuming BPA (bisphenol-A), which is found in some disposable water bottles, can increase the chances of miscarriage. Get a reusable water bottle to help yourself, and the environment!

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Inhaling wood smoke - Pregnant women should be wary around campfires. Researchers have found that inhaling excess wood smoke can reduce your baby's growth and increase the risk of premature birth.

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Riding roller coasters - Vigorous activity should be avoided while pregnant, especially when you are further along.

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Driving bumper cars - Similar to roller coasters, when driving bumper cars there is fear of placental abruption, which is when jarring forces make the placenta separate from the uterine wall prematurely.

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Take sleeping pills - Pregnant women should stay away from most prescription sleeping pills. If necessary, talk to your doctor about finding specific medication that has been proven to not cause harm.

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Using cleaning products - Avoiding frequent use of chemicals while pregnant is always going to be recommended. However, wearing gloves and keeping the space well-ventilated will make the use of these products safer!

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Getting a pedicure/manicure - When going to the salon to get your nails done, there is risk of both chemical exposure and possible infection. Pregnant women are encouraged to avoid pedicures and manicures throughout their pregnancy, but especially during the first trimester.

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Spending too much time in the sun -

When you are pregnant, your skin becomes more sensitive and is more susceptible to being burned. Apply generous amounts of sunscreen and find a cool spot in the shade.

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Painting - Limiting your exposure to paint fumes is highly recommended while pregnant. Try to find latex-based paints, which are safer to use during this time.

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Going in a hot tub - Pregnant women should avoid putting themselves in extreme temperatures, especially before seven weeks. Going in a hot tub elevates the risk of birth defects.

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Flying in an airplane (third trimester) - Air travel is not recommended for women who are 26 weeks pregnant (or longer). Plane cabin pressure can put even more strain on a pregnant woman's circulation.

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Eating too little -

Making sure you maintain a healthy diet is essential while pregnant! Not eating enough can lead to problems with your child's growth.

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Eating too much - The phrase "eating for two" can actually be very unhealthy. Pregnant women are encouraged to find a balance in their calorie intake—even though the cravings may make this difficult! Gaining too much weight while pregnant can lead to gestational diabetes, backaches, and high blood pressure.

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Getting laser hair removal -

Shaving while pregnant can be a challenge! Because increased hormones can lead to excess hair growth, many women consider laser hair removal. However, many doctors don't recommend this treatment purely because of the lack of research regarding the impact on the fetus.

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Taking antibiotics - Every antibiotic is different. While some can be perfectly safe to take while pregnant, others can cause birth defects. Consulting with your doctor to find the right medication for you is essential.

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Drinking eggnog - Drinking eggnog while pregnant is considered dangerous due to possible salmonella infection. Store-bought eggnog, however, is pasteurized and holds less risk.

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Being overly stressed - When you are pregnant, avoiding high stress levels is very important! Certain stress hormones can cause premature birth and other complications.

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Getting an X-ray - If you need to get an X-ray while pregnant, make sure to tell both your doctor and the technician beforehand so they can take extra preventative measures. Excess exposure to radiation can be harmful to your child.

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Drinking caffeinated soda - Similar to coffee and tea, drinking caffeinated soda is not recommended during pregnancy.

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Drinking diet soda - Studies have shown that women who drink diet sodas and artificially sweetened beverages in excess during pregnancy had a higher risk of preterm labor.

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Cigarettes - Cigarettes during pregnancy can have fatal effects on your child, as well as cause severe birth defects.

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Smoking marijuana - Studies have linked marijuana intake with dangerous effects, such as low birth weight, premature birth, and stillbirth.

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Inhaling second-hand smoke -

As with smoking, inhaling second-hand smoke can lead to all of the same risks.

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Smelling permanent markers - It is surprisingly common for pregnant women to crave the smell of permanent markers while they are pregnant. As with other chemicals, avoid inhaling unnecessary fumes. Consult with your doctor if you are craving this smell too intensely, as it may mean you are lacking something in your diet.

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Going in a sauna or steam room - Pregnant women should be very cautious about going in extremely warm places like saunas or steam rooms. The risk of getting dizzy and fainting is much higher during pregnancy.

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Getting a perm - As with hair dye, hair treatments such as perms and relaxers are not recommended due to exposure to harmful chemicals.

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Getting Botox - Due to ethical reasons, there have not been studies on the effects of Botox on pregnancy. For that reason, doctors do not recommend injecting any unnecessary toxins while pregnant.

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Drinking unpasteurized juice - There is a risk with unpasteurized juice that the raw fruits or vegetables may carry harmful bacteria that could affect your pregnancy.

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Donating blood -

Donating blood while you are pregnant could deplete your body of iron and cause anemia.

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Taking prescription medications - Some prescription medications can have negative side effects. Make sure to always consult with your doctor before taking any pills.

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Sleeping certain ways - The position you sleep in is very important while you are pregnant. Women are discouraged from sleeping on their backs and stomachs to avoid blocking circulation.

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Consuming pesticides - While your baby's brain is developing, it can be more sensitive to the toxic effects of pesticides. Many doctors encourage pregnant women to try to eat mainly organic produce.

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Standing close to microwaves - Radiation from microwaves can heat body tissue just like it heats food. Pregnant women are encouraged to stand at least a few feet away from the kitchen appliance.

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Doing illicit drugs - Using illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroine, and methamphetamines can have extremely negative and often fatal effects on your child. Any mother with a history of addiction is encouraged to seek medical assistance before and during pregnancy.

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Using a tanning bed - Tanning beds expose both you and your child to harmful radiation, and should be avoided particularly while pregnant.

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Eating liver - It is not recommended to eat excess beef liver, such as pâté, due to its high levels of vitamin A. Too much liver in a pregnant woman's diet can cause birth defects.

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Eating raw or under-cooked eggs - Pregnant women need to be very particular when it comes to consuming egg products! Eating raw or under-cooked eggs can be dangerous due to possible salmonella infection.

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Getting piercings - Women are encouraged to wait until after pregnancy to get new piercings due to the risk of infections.

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Taking natural remedies - Because pregnant women cannot take many prescription medications, some decide to opt for natural remedies. However, these too may have side effects and your doctor should still be consulted.

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Visiting places with high altitude - Pregnant women are discouraged from traveling to 8,500 ft (2,590 m) above sea-level because your body is more susceptible to the negative effects of altitude pressure.

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Using Accutane - Accutane is a very strong acne treatment that can lead to birth defects.

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Doing sit-ups -

Pregnant women are encouraged to modify the way they do crunches and sit-ups. There is a risk of developing diastasis, a condition where your abdominal muscles separate too much as your uterus expands into them.

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Taking birth control - You are already pregnant, so continuing to take birth control is unnecessary. For ethical reasons, studies have not been conducted on the effects of prolonged birth control consumption during pregnancy, so it is advised to stop upon discovery of your fertilization.

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Being exposed to rodents - Rodents, such as house mice, guinea pigs, and hamsters, can carry the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), which is dangerous for pregnant women.

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Taking migraine medication - Pregnant women should never take any medication that contains aspirin or ibuprofen, which is frequently prescribed for headaches and migraines.

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Donating a kidney -

Women who have donated a kidney have increased chances of having complications with their pregnancy. The most common issue is preeclampsia, which results in dangerously high blood pressure.

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Eating brie cheese - Soft cheeses, such as brie, have a risk of carrying the bacteria listeria. This can cause severe illnesses in newborn babies.

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Eating hot dogs - Deli meats, including hot dogs, also have risks of listeria. If you are pregnant, it is essential to make sure that the meat is fully cooked through to avoid any risk.

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It's only nine months! -

By following this advice and adhering to certain rules, you can feel secure that you will be acting and eating in the best ways for your child.

See also: How to choose the best dog food, according to veterinarians

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