Pregnancy Myths, Dos, and Don'ts
Many herbal teas are safe during pregnancy, but you should be cautious. Large amounts of some herbs such as peppermint and red raspberry leaf are thought to cause contractions and increase the risk of preterm labor. While pregnant, be sure to steer clear of teas that have unfamiliar ingredients; instead, look for those teas that are made from ingredients that are a part of your normal diet (like orange extract). Remember that "natural" doesn't always mean "safe." If you are unsure, talk to your doctor.
In March 2004, the FDA and EPA issued joint guidelines regarding eating fish during pregnancy. They advise women who are pregnant, nursing, or even considering having children to eat no more than two servings of fish each week in order to protect developing babies from high levels of potentially brain-damaging mercury.
By following their recommendations and guidelines, government officials say that pregnant women will reduce their exposure to the harmful effects of mercury:
Gobble it up, Dolan says. Spinach has lots of folic acid, which is one substance you want when you're pregnant, especially before conceiving and during the first trimester. The recommended dose is 400 micrograms a day. "Folic acid reduces the incidence of neural tube defects by 70%," she says. "It's one thing that really has a good effect."
In addition, spinach is loaded with iron, a mineral essential for health.
Pregnancy Myths, Dos, and Don'ts
In this article
- What's safe to eat during pregnancy? Can hair dye hurt the fetus? How about changing the litterbox?
- Eating Cheese and Processed Meats During Pregnancy
- Drinking Diet Soda During Pregnancy
- Drinking Coffee During Pregnancy
- Drinking Herbal Tea While Pregnant
- Eating Fish While Pregnant
- Eating Spinach During Pregnancy
- Alcohol and Tobacco
- Artificial Nails
- Bikini Wax
- Hair Dye and Perms
- Sleeping Position
- Exercise and Hot Tubs
- Changing the Litter Box
- Using the Computer
- Lawn Work
- Eating Spicy Foods During Pregnancy
- Castor Oil to Bring on Labor?
- Walking to Bring on Labor?
- Having Sex May Bring on Labor
- Predicting Baby's Sex
Drinking Herbal Tea While Pregnant
Many herbal teas are safe during pregnancy, but you should be cautious. Large amounts of some herbs such as peppermint and red raspberry leaf are thought to cause contractions and increase the risk of preterm labor. While pregnant, be sure to steer clear of teas that have unfamiliar ingredients; instead, look for those teas that are made from ingredients that are a part of your normal diet (like orange extract). Remember that "natural" doesn't always mean "safe." If you are unsure, talk to your doctor.
Eating Fish While Pregnant
In March 2004, the FDA and EPA issued joint guidelines regarding eating fish during pregnancy. They advise women who are pregnant, nursing, or even considering having children to eat no more than two servings of fish each week in order to protect developing babies from high levels of potentially brain-damaging mercury.
By following their recommendations and guidelines, government officials say that pregnant women will reduce their exposure to the harmful effects of mercury:
- Do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or golden or white snapper (tilefish) because they often contain high levels of mercury.
- Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. Five of the most commonly eaten fish and shellfish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
- Another commonly eaten fish, albacore ("white") tuna, has more mercury than canned light tuna. So when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, limit your consumption of albacore tuna to 6 ounces (1 average meal) per week.
- Because tuna steak generally contains higher levels of mercury than canned light tuna, when choosing your 2 meals of fish and shellfish, limit your consumption of tuna steak to 6 ounces (1 average meal) per week.
- Fish sticks and fast-food sandwiches are commonly made from fish that are low in mercury.
Eating Spinach During Pregnancy
Gobble it up, Dolan says. Spinach has lots of folic acid, which is one substance you want when you're pregnant, especially before conceiving and during the first trimester. The recommended dose is 400 micrograms a day. "Folic acid reduces the incidence of neural tube defects by 70%," she says. "It's one thing that really has a good effect."
In addition, spinach is loaded with iron, a mineral essential for health.