FOODS TO AVOID WHILE PREGNANT
Seafood: Certain types of seafood are high in mercury. Mercury can be harmful to the developing fetus. Pregnant and breast feeding women should avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish. Common types of fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, catfish, salmon, canned light tuna (not albacore), and Pollock. You can safely eat up to 12 ounces (about two to three meals) of these fish per week. Albacore (white tuna) and tuna steaks have higher mercury levels than most fish, so you should eat only up to 6 ounces of these fish per week.
Unpasteurized Dairy Products: Milk or soft cheeses that are unpasteurized can be contaminated by a bacteria called Listeria. Listeria can infect the placenta and cause miscarriage or stillbirth. Most dairy products in the United States are made with pasteurized dairy product, please check the labels. If it states that the product is made with pasteurized dairy products then it is safe to eat Hot Dogs: These prepared meats can also be contaminated with Listeria, so do not eat unless cooked until steaming hot. Deli meats need to be vacuum packed and have an expiration date. Once opened, Deli meats need to be consumed on that same day only.
Raw or Undercooked Meat, Poultry, or Shellfish: These food items can be contaminated with both Listeria (as mentioned above) and/or Toxoplasmosis. The latter is a parasite that is found in certain types of meat/fish but can be killed if the fish or meat is cooked properly.
Toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects in the developing fetus. Toxoplasmosis and Listeria can also be transmitted via fruits and vegetables that are improperly washed.
Caffeine: (2-3 eight ounce cups of brewed coffee) has not been shown to increase the risk of miscarriage. Alcohol: Pregnant women should avoid consuming alcohol while pregnant.
Alcohol has been proven to cause birth defects in the developing fetus.
TRAVEL
The ideal time to travel during pregnancy is up to 36 weeks because that is when the risk of pregnancy related complications is lowest. After 28 weeks, it is best to stay within the continental United States. We recommend that you stay in town to avoid the possibility of going in to labor in another city. When on long airplane flights (greater than 2 hours), we recommend that you get an aisle seat so that you can get up and walk around once an hour if possible. If on a long car ride, then please stop the car once an hour to get out and walk around. This will reduce the risk of blood clots, a condition for which pregnant women are at increased risk. Dr. Kahen recommends taking an 8/mg baby aspirin one-hour before your departure time.
HAIR TREATMENTS
Coal and tar products must be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy or until cleared by Dr. Kahen. So, postpone any hair coloring until after this time. Permanents, hair lightening or weaving are permissible at any time during your pregnancy. You may also use vegetable dyes or hennas.
DENTAL WORK
Local anesthetics are acceptable but ask your dentist to avoid using “epinephrine” if at all possible. If not allergic, Antibiotics such as penicillin, ampicillin, or cephalosporin (e.g. Keflex) are all safe in pregnancy. Please ask your dentist to feel free to call us if he/she is uncertain as to the safety of a medication he/she needs to prescribe. Dental X-Rays should be done with an abdominal shield.
