Things to Avoid in Early Pregnancy

Learning you’re pregnant can arrive with a wash of feelings: elation, excitement, and anxieties about “getting it right.” And while this transformational time comes with many internal changes, the changes you make in your life and habits play a major role in protecting your future baby. And now you must tackle how to choose an OBGYN for pregnancy.

It’s well-documented that early pregnancy detection and prenatal care help improve birth outcomes for both mother and child. But apart from common knowledge—like eliminating recreational substances and saving sumo wrestling for after your baby is born—are there sneakier risks to watch for in your first trimester?

Knowing things to avoid in early pregnancy (and why they matter) can help put anxieties at ease and ensure your 9-month journey starts off on the right foot.

Early Pregnancy: 9 Things to Steer Clear Of

If you’ve just learned you’re pregnant, the first thing you can do is pre-book a prenatal appointment. This is where you’ll learn more about your pregnancy and get first-trimester recommendations that genuinely fit your lifestyle and healthcare needs.

While you wait for your appointment, take note of the following substances, activities, and habits that are best avoided in your first few weeks of pregnancy.

#1 Alcohol

It’s widely known that drinking alcohol while pregnant is associated with various hazards for babies in-utero known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). These include health issues like:

• Low birth weight
• Difficulty breastfeeding or latching
• Kidney, bone, or heart problems
• Developmental abnormalities
• Issues with vision or hearing

Later in life, children born with FASDs could exhibit:

• Memory problems
• Learning disabilities
• Hyperactive behavioral tendencies
• Attention deficit disorders
• Delayed language learning
• Speech disorders
• Poor coordination

Additionally, parents who drink during pregnancy are at a higher risk of complications like preeclampsia, hypertension, and pre-term birth.

That said, many parents discover they’re pregnant several weeks into a pregnancy, having unknowingly exposed their growing babies to a cocktail or two if they imbibe. So, does that make drinking any alcohol okay in early pregnancy?

In a word, no. The CDC recommends stopping all alcohol consumption as soon as you learn you’re pregnant. Put differently, the risks outweigh the benefits of continuing to imbibe (even in small amounts) after you’ve learned you’re expecting.

#2 Too Much Caffeine

Drinking too much caffeine in early pregnancy is associated with risks like pregnancy loss and low birth weight. It’s advised that expecting parents consume no more than 200mg of caffeine daily. This can be hard to track, as brewed-on-site beverages can be made differently depending on where you get them.

As a general guide, the following list details average caffeine levels in a variety of food sources:

• 1 mug of filtered coffee – 140mg
• 1 mug of instant coffee – 100mg
• 1 mug of tea – 75mg
• 1 mug of decaf filtered coffee – 12mg

Bear in mind that caffeine can also be found in more than just your go-to morning beverage. When purchasing foods like chocolate, kombucha, energy drinks, or other products, it’s best to review the labels for an estimate of how much caffeine you could be getting from sneakier sources. If you’re searching for more options to satisfy that craving, read about what to eat when you are pregnant on our blog.

#3 Secondhand Smoke

The CDC cautions pregnant people at any stage of pregnancy to avoid environments with secondhand tobacco smoke. Secondhand smoke exposure is most strongly associated with low birth weights, but it can also pose long-term health risks for parents (e.g. higher risk of lung cancer).

Most surveys show that secondhand smoke exposure chiefly stems from work environments: hotels, casinos, and bars among them. Making a big change—especially in early pregnancy—can be scary, but if your work life exposes you to these toxins, it may be worth considering a career transition (even a temporary one).

#4 Certain Non-Essential Medications

Some medications may be helpful under usual circumstances and harmful during early pregnancy. The most common include:

• Oral acne medications – Some prescription acne medications can contribute to birth defects in early pregnancy. The most common ones include:
  • Isotretinoin
  • Spironolactone

These filter into your bloodstream and can be absorbed by your baby. If you take either

of these medications and learn you’re pregnant, it’s best to reach out to your

dermatologist to discontinue your regimen. There are many other topical and baby-safe

ways to achieve clear skin during pregnancy.

• NSAIDs – NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, are over-the-counter painkillers most people don’t think twice about using. In pregnancy, however, they can interfere with fetal development and even result in birth defects and organ damage. If you have a headache or other minor pain during pregnancy, the most pregnancy-safe OTC painkiller is considered Tylenol (also called acetaminophen).

#5 Extreme Heat

Whether you’re newly pregnant in the summertime or the sauna is part of your self-care routine, it’s important to know that excessively warm temperatures can be risky throughout pregnancy. For developing babies in utero, high temperatures can raise the risk of:

• Low birth weight
• Preterm birth
• Stillbirth

As a general rule, pregnancy alters how your body thermoregulates. Metabolic changes and weight gain make it easier to retain heat, elevating pregnant people’s core body temperature. Additionally, pregnant people are more vulnerable to dehydration, making heated activities like hot yoga, pilates, or soaking in the hot tub inadvisable for early pregnancy.

In addition to avoiding heated environments, early pregnancy is a great time to start boosting your daily hydration habits. When you’re pregnant, aim to have ten 8-ounce helpings of water or fluids each day to meet your recommended needs.

#6 Environmental Toxins

Certain chemicals and environmental toxins can interfere with fetal development. Two of the most common culprits include:

• Cat litter – If you’re already a proud pet parent, bear in mind that cat feces can contain an infectious parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii that’s hazardous for fetal health. Though indoor cats are at a lower risk of carrying it, exposed fetuses can develop blindness, cerebral palsy, seizures, and even death. It’s best to avoid cleaning your cat’s litter box during early and later pregnancy.

• Wet paint – Inhaling paint fumes is considered risky for anyone, but especially so for people early on in pregnancy. In fact, some studies indicate paint fumes should be avoided if you’re trying to get pregnant, as they may reduce birth weights or lead to macrosomia (where a baby is born much larger than expected). If you have renovation plans or work with paints in your job, aim to reduce your exposure before and right after you’ve gotten pregnant.

#7 High-Contact or High-Risk Sports

Any physical activities that pose a risk of falling, high contact, or pressure changes are best avoided in early pregnancy. These include:

• Contact sports (e.g. football or wrestling)
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Surfing
• Gymnastics or aerial sports
• Horseback riding
• Diving
• Water skiing
• Scuba diving
• Skydiving

That said, some forms of exercise are safe and even beneficial for physical and emotional health in early pregnancy. Some recommended, low-risk activities you can enjoy include:

• Brisk walking
• Swimming
• Water aerobics
• Stationary cycling
• Moderate or gentle yoga
• Moderate pilates

As a general rule, it’s recommended you get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic movement each week.

#8 Amusement Park Rides

If you’re a child at heart who loves bumper cars and roller coasters, know that it’s best to save amusement park rides for after your child is born. Like contact sports, these amusements can introduce a risk of sudden impact that can potentially put your baby in harm’s way.

#9 Undercooked Meats, Raw Eggs, & Unpasteurized Foods

Healthy eating and food safety is important all throughout pregnancy, but especially during early pregnancy. Avoiding high-risk foods like undercooked meat or raw eggs helps reduce exposure to harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. It is best to avoid any unpasteurized foods like soft cheeses or raw dairy. Soft cheeses like feta and brie should have their label checked to see if they use pasteurized milk.

If you have consumed any undercooked or raw foods and suspect you have any signs or symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, contact your doctor immediately.

Signs of Complications in Early Pregnancy

You’re likely to notice myriad physical and emotional changes in early pregnancy, but some symptoms may point to a need to visit your healthcare provider. To protect both your and your baby’s health, keep an eye out for:

• Vaginal bleeding – Some light spotting may indicate a normal event (e.g. implantation bleeding), but more persistent bleeding could point to a pregnancy loss. If you notice this, reach out to your PCP or OBGYN as quickly as possible.

• Pelvic or abdominal pain – Pain or cramping beyond the mild sort could be a sign of ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy loss. If you experience it, be sure to reach out to a healthcare provider immediately.

• Recession of pregnancy symptoms – Early pregnancy symptoms like breast tenderness and swelling, fatigue, or queasiness can be uncomfortable, but they’re usually a sign that your pregnancy is progressing smoothly. If you notice any of these symptoms suddenly abate, it’s important to reach out to a healthcare provider as it could be a sign of pregnancy loss.

Gaining the recommended amount of weight by your doctor is also a crucial part of pregnancy. Losing weight while pregnant is generally not recommended, and can lead to complications for you and your baby. Remember to consult your OBGYN about any concerns you may have during pregnancy.

Plan for Parenthood Ahead of Time with SneakPeek®

All in all, simply researching proactive changes you can make to protect your baby is an act of empowerment in early pregnancy. Taking steps to ensure you have a smooth and healthy pregnancy will make the journey even more special. Keep taking a conscious approach to your journey into parenthood with the SneakPeek® Early Gender DNA Test.

With this at-home test, you can discover your baby’s fetal sex as early as 6 weeks into your pregnancy with over 99% clinically proven accuracy and DNA-based results. SneakPeek is the #1 OBGYN-recommended at-home early gender test trusted by 1+ million parents (and counting!). Meet your future baby even earlier by ordering your test today.

Editorial Policy

At SneakPeek, our commitment is to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information to empower our readers. Our content is thoroughly researched, reviewed by medical experts, and fact-checked to ensure its credibility. We prioritize the well-being and education of our readers, and our editorial policy adheres to the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in all our articles.

This post has been reviewed for accuracy by the following medical professional:

Katie Smith, MSN, APRN, CNM

Katie Smith is a seasoned Certified Nurse Midwife and a nurturing mother to six children, offering a unique blend of professional expertise and personal experience. She is the founder of Birth Your Way Midwifery and Women’s Wellness Center in Bay County, Florida. Katie's comprehensive approach to care is informed by her hands-on experience in motherhood and her passion for empowering women through their birthing journey. Her dedication extends beyond her center as she actively engages in community wellness and family health education.

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