Things to avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding
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.
Stay away frompeople 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.
Pregnant women
should stay away
from people with
sicknesses or rashes.
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
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.
Pregnant women should
only take medicines that
If possible, pregnant women and women who are
are safe in pregnancy and
breastfeeding should not take medicines. If a woman is that are truly needed.
sick and needs medicine, find out if this medicine is
safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Look in the green medicine pages at the
end of this book (see page 463) or 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.
Most of the medicines we recommend in this book are safe to take during
pregnancy or breastfeeding. (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 to
cure sicknesses and other problems.
A Book for Midwives (2010)
45