10 Natural Ingredients You Must Totally Avoid During Pregnancy

The minute a woman becomes pregnant, her entire life takes a new turn.

She is now responsible for another living being growing inside her and all her habits, whether good or bad, will directly influence the health of her unborn baby.

So, it is very important for a new mother to develop a healthy lifestyle.

A pregnant woman has to make drastic changes with her routine, including her diet.

Although initially she might feel a little difficult to stick to a healthy diet, her concern for the child will definitely keep her going.

They say that a pregnant woman has to eat for two people, herself and her baby. A to-be mom finds herself surrounded by older ladies who fuss over her, making sure she eats enough.

But, did you know that there are certain types of foods that can be harmful for a pregnant woman?

It is very crucial that a woman watches what she eats during her pregnancy, as it may have a direct impact on her health, as well as on her baby's well-being.

Some ingredients may have a negative effect on a pregnant woman's health and may cause serious complications, including miscarriages, infants born with defects, infections, premature births, etc.

So, we have made a list of natural foods that you need to stay away from if you are pregnant. Do make sure to avoid these.

1. Cheese Made From Unpasteurised Milk

Any kind of cheese made from unpasteurised milk can be very harmful for a pregnant woman, as it contains E. coli, which may induce infections and weaken the immune system of the mother and child.

2. Fish

A few varieties of fish, which are known to contain mercury, can have negative effects on the to-be mother and may lead to an infant born with defects. Mackerel, swordfish, tile fish, shark, etc, must be avoided.

3. Smoked Seafood

Seafood that is stored in the refrigerators and then heated or grilled may contain bacteria known as listeria, which may cause various diseases in the mother and her unborn child.

4. Excess Caffeine

It is good to stay away from coffee and energy drinks that contain caffeine during pregnancy, as studies claim that caffeine is linked to causing stillbirths, foetal deaths and babies with low birth weights.

5. Chamomile

Excess amount of chamomile must be avoided during pregnancy, as it can cause conditions such as premature births and babies with delayed physical developments, since it boosts excess heat production in the body.

6. Raw Papaya

It is believed by many that ingesting raw papaya during pregnancy will lead to excess heat production in the body, which may cause miscarriages or premature births. However, ripe papaya is said to be a safe food for pregnant women to consume.

7. Undercooked Meat

Make sure that the meat a pregnant lady consumes is well cooked, as undercooked meat may contain E. Coli, which can cause various infections and diseases, thereby harming the health of both the mother and child.

8. Liver

Edible liver meat products are known to contain high amounts of vitamin A, which can be harmful for a to-be mother and her child, as excess vitamin A is said to cause various birth defects in a child.

9. Aloe Vera

While topical application of aloe vera is safe during pregnancy, it is said that ingesting this natural ingredient could trigger miscarriages and abnormal bleeding in the mother.

10. Herbal Teas

It is better if a pregnant woman avoids certain types of herbal teas such as ginseng, yarrow, licorice root, etc, as they are known to affect the pregnancy hormones in a negative way and can also induce menstrual flow.