Other Considerations

Artificial sweeteners are best avoided. There has been some debate about the safety of diet sodas and other foods that contain the artificial sweetener aspartame. While there is no evidence that aspartame is hazardous to pregnant women or their unborn babies, a mother-to-be is better off drinking milk, water and fruit juices than diet soda. Low-fat foods are always recommended, but pregnancy generally is not a time to use artificially sweetened diet foods. Caffeine may cause heartburn and nausea, but there is no convincing evidence that coffee or caffeine causes birth defects in humans. Still, many doctors recommend that pregnant women consume only moderate amounts of caffeine-containing beverages, such as coffee, tea, cola drinks, cocoa, etc. during their pregnancy because there is a suggestion that heavy and even moderate intake can lower infant birth weight. Alcohol can act as a potent agent on the young fetus. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) was first described in 1973. Since then we have learned that there is a direct dose-response effect. While heavy drinking by alcohol abusers can result in FAS, lower levels of alcohol consumption can lead to fetal growth retardation. The data, although inconsistent, suggest that even one or two drinks per day can interfere with fetal growth. Smoking may affect maternal and fetal nutrition as well as produce harmful chemicals that result in a decrease in birth weight. The adverse effects are proportional to the frequency of smoking. Exercise during pregnancy is safe in the absence of medical or health conditions or problems that would preclude exercising. An exercise program can include large muscle exercises. You can exercise regularly -- 3 to 5 days a week. If in doubt or you experience any undesirable affects, stop and check with your doctor before continuing. Food cravings may be caused by hormonal changes in pregnancy, which can make some women more or less sensitive to tastes and smells. There is no evidence, however, that a craving indicates a need for any particular nutrient. If you crave pickles, for instance, it does not mean you need salt, and if you crave ice cream, you are not short on calcium. You may simply want the comfort associated with certain types of foods. If your cravings for junk food get out of hand, try to substitute foods that are more nutritious but similar in some way. If you're looking for something cool and creamy, have ice milk or low-fat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. If you're looking for crunch, have baby carrots or unsalted pretzels instead of prawn crackers or potato chips. If you're looking for a sweet taste, have fresh, frozen, canned or dried fruit instead of candy, cake or cookies. Pica is an unusual, rare but serious condition that leads to cravings for foods that are not normally eaten, such as raw flour and cornstarch, and nonfoods including clay and paste. It may be related to an iron deficiency, and it also occurs in some pregnant women. Some people have even been known to crave toxic substances such as lead. If you find yourself craving unusual substances, call your doctor right away. Morning (noon and night) sickness is something of a misnomer for the nausea or vomiting that may occur in the early months of pregnancy at any time of day. It is probably caused by hormonal changes that upset the gastrointestinal tract. If you find yourself vomiting more than twice a day, call your doctor. To help you through this uncomfortable rite of passage: Eat smaller, more frequent meals, and do not let your stomach get empty. Avoid spicy and fried foods and eat plain, easy-to-digest foods, such as crackers, pasta, potatoes and rice. Drink fluids between meals, not with them--and not before breakfast. Eat a snack such as cereal with milk, cheese or fruit before going to bed at night. Eat a snack of crackers, dry toast or plain bisuit before you get out of bed. Get up slowly from bed; rushing is tough on your digestive system.