She recommends that if you are a vegetarian, you should consult a nutritionist or dietitian to assure that you are getting all the necessary nutrients from alternative sources. Large fish such as swordfish, shark, tuna and marlin often contain high levels of mercury. It s best to limit your fish intake to no more than a half-pound per week. Bacteria contamination of food is another risk to pregnant mothers, not only because it can make you very sick, but also the medications taken for such conditions can cause birth defects. Also risky, Wente says, are raw foods like sushi and delicacies containing raw eggs such as homemade eggnog or ice cream, caesar salad dressing, raw cookie dough and homemade pancake batter.
Pregnancy wins the prize for being the most myth-ridden medical condition.
Small, frequent meals, tea with fresh ginger, taking vitamin B6, and using a pressure point armband are some of the more popular coping mechanisms according to Wente. If smells are triggering your nausea, it s best to eat cold foods, keep your kitchen well-ventilated and have someone else do the cooking if possible. Take the Burn out of Indigestion Toward the end of pregnancy when the baby s size can cramp the proper functioning of the digestive system, heartburn often results. Like with nausea, the body does a better job digesting smaller, more frequent meals and after each meal, always sit up. Lying down can trigger the heartburn, as can greasy foods and caffeine.