The first three months of pregnancy are a sensitive time for a newly developing fetus. Since all the major body systems and organs are forming, anything that disrupts fetal development can have a long-lasting impact. While living in a bubble for the first three months or spending all your time relaxing on the couch are not required, sensible precautions should be taken.
Quit Harmful Habits
Harmful habits such as cigarette smoking, alcohol use and recreational drug use are all common in women of childbearing age. One in 12 women drink while pregnant, the March of Dimes states, and 10 percent smoke. Many women use recreational drugs before they realize they're pregnant or during early pregnancy. Bad habits can harm the growing fetus, and they don't do expectant moms any good, either. Smoking during the first trimester has been associated with heart defects, the March of Dimes reports. Alcohol use in the first trimester can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, a condition in which the child has a small head, unusual facial features and mental retardation. Marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines all increase the risk of miscarriage in the first trimester.
Avoid Animal Excrement
Many pregnant women are aware that they shouldn't touch kitty litter while pregnant, but toxoplasmosis, a common parasite that attacks the fetal brain and can cause long-term damage, can be contracted from sources other than kitty litter. Cats are not the only animals that carry the Toxoplasma gondii parasite; other small animals and rodents can also pass along the disease. Indoor cats who don't eat raw meat or small animals are unlikely to carry the disease, the Humane Society notes, but having someone else change the litter box is still advised. In addition, pregnant women should wash their hands thoroughly after working in the garden or handling sand from a sandbox. They should also avoid undercooked meat, which can carry the parasite and actually causes most cases of toxoplasmosis, the Humane Society reports. Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed and peeled.
Steer Clear of Enironmental Risks
While pregnancy often seems to get the creative juices flowing, early pregnancy is not the time to strip the floors or walls. Paint in older houses may contain lead, which can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy. "Older" is a relative term; 80 percent of all paint used in houses before 1978 was lead-based, the March of Dimes states. Some drinking water can also contain lead if pipes or solder are made of lead. Letting water run for 30 seconds before using it to drink or cook with helps decrease lead in water, and water that comes from cold-water pipes contains less lead. Women who work with organic solvents in the first trimester of pregnancy are 13 times more likely to give birth to a child with birth defects, according to the March of Dimes. Working areas must be well-ventilated, and women should not eat or drink anything that has been in the work area. Mercury exposure, whether from eating large fish such as swordfish or shark, or from working with dental fillings, can also increase the risk of miscarriage.
