THINGS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY  AND BREASTFEEDING

Sicknesses, drugs, and poisonous chemicals are not healthy for anyone. They are particularly dangerous in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

The following things are the most dangerous in the first 3 months of pregnancy, but they can be dangerous at all times.

Try to avoid people with rubella and other sicknesses

It is best for pregnant women to stay away from people who are sick. This will help protect them from becoming sick themselves.
Some sicknesses are particularly dangerous to pregnant women or their babies.

Rubella (German measles)
is one sickness that can cause serious birth defects or disabilities in the baby, including deafness and heart problems, and can even cause death

Avoid taking medicines which are not prescribed

When a woman takes medicines, they pass through her blood to her baby. Medicines that are safe for a grown woman or even a child can be dangerous to the tiny baby inside the womb.
Cough syrups, pain relievers, some modern medicines, and some plant medicines can all be dangerous. Some of them can cause birth defects or disabilities in the baby, including disabilities that affect thinking or the brain. If possible, pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should not take medicines without permission from health person. If a woman is sick and needs medicine, find out if this medicine is safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Should ask a doctor if the medicine is safe. If plant medicines are used in your community, try to learn which ones are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Medicine If they are not safe, we will include a warning about when they can be dangerous.) But even drugs that are safe should only be taken when they are truly needed. Rest, water, and healthful foods are often enough.

Avoid smoking, alcohol, and other drugs.

Cigarette smoke, alcohol, and other drugs are all harmful to the mother. When a woman smokes, drinks, or takes drugs, they also pass through her blood to her baby.Smoking is dangerous for anyone. It can lead to serious problems including cancer. When a pregnant womans mokes, or even when she breathes the smoke from someone near her, her blood vessels get smaller and do not carry as much air or food to her baby. Because of this, babies of women who smoke are more likely to be small or sick.

Drinking a lot of alcohol can be dangerous for anyone.

 Heavy drinking can lead to many illnesses including serious problems of the liver. When a pregnant woman drinks, even just 1 or 2 drinks a day, her baby can have birth defects or disabilities that affect the brain.Some drugs, particularly opium, heroin, cocaine, and barbiturates, are very addictive and dangerous. When a pregnant woman takes these drugs, her baby can be born with a drug addiction or with other serious health problems.

   If you work with a woman who may be addicted to alcohol or other drugs, try to find help for her. She may be able to stop if she understands the risks to her and her baby. Advise her to stay away from people who are smoking, drinking, or taking drugs.You may be able to help her find others in your community who have stopped using alcohol or drugs and who meet to support each other. The book Where Women Have No Doctor has more ideas about how to help someone stop abusing alcohol and drugs.

Stay away from chemicals and fumes

Strong chemicals used for cleaning, and poisons used to kill pests in the fields or at home, are dangerous for everyone. They are especially dangerous to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. These chemicals can cause miscarriage, infertility, birth defects, cancer, and other illnesses.
Any chemical with a strong smell is probably not safe. Many dangerous chemicals have no smell at all.If possible, everyone should avoid these dangerous chemicals. But a pregnant woman should have no contact

with them. She should not use them herself or breathe chemical fumes or dust. Her family should not store food in containers that once had chemicals inside. Tiny amounts of the chemicals may be left in the container even after it is washed — enough to harm a person's health!Families should try not to use chemicals at all. But many people who work with chemicals have no choice. It is part of their job at a factory, on a farm, cleaning, or somewhere else. People who use chemicals at work may be able to talk to the other workers about the problem. Maybe all the workers together can talk to the owner about using fewer chemicals or using safer one If someone in the family must work with chemicals, he or she should:

• use as few chemicals, and as little of each one, as possible.

• keep chemicals away from places where food is stored.

• keep chemicals away from children.

• avoid breathing chemicals. Wear a mask or at least cover the mouth

and nose, and try to work where there is a good air flow.

• avoid getting chemicals on the skin. Wear gloves, long sleeves, and

closed shoes.

• after working with chemicals, change clothes before coming in

the house. Pregnant women should not wash these clothes.

There are many things which pregnant woman and breastfeeding woman should avoid but we have just come with these few so that people be aware of such things.