Adding fish to your diet is a great way to boost your omega-3 fatty acids as well as protein. Several studies have also shown that taking fish oil supplements, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, is associated with a longer pregnancy and higher birth weight. Because omega-3 fatty acids are a component of brain tissue, it has been hypothesized that the developing brain of a fetus could benefit from high levels of these fats in a mother’s diet. More…
Many women should cut down on sugar during pregnancy, to keep from packing their diets with empty calories and to promote more moderate blood sugar levels and a healthier metabolism. Artificial sweeteners can seem to offer the best of both worlds: no empty calories, sweet taste. One of the advantages of artificial sweeteners is that they do not raise blood sugar levels the same way caloric sweeteners do, which can be an advantage for women with gestational diabetes or other metabolic problems. But they have often been viewed with wariness because of reports that they may harm a fetus. More…
Many women face a difficult dilemma when deciding whether to continue to take over-the-counter and prescription medications during pregnancy. This section is intended to familiarize you with some of the issues surrounding medications in pregnancy. More…
Marijuana crosses the placenta and affects fetal tissues, and marijuana use has been linked to low birth weight and withdrawal symptoms such as excessive crying and tremors in infants. Cocaine slips through the placenta easily and can constrict blood vessels, squeezing off a fetus’s oxygen supply. More…
Caffeine has not been shown to cause direct damage to fetal tissues theway alcohol does, so there is some disagreement about a safe level of caffeine during pregnancy. Studies have found that excessive caffeine intake is associated with a higher risk for miscarriage and low birth weight. Too much caffeine also causes increased numbers of birth defects in laboratory animals, though it has not been linked to birth defects in humans. We know that caffeine is a powerful stimulant that causes chemical changes in the body that could potentially affect a developing fetus. More…