Things You Should Not Do While Pregnant… Continued

Pregnancy is quite the blessing. For nine months you will be able to foster a relationship with your child that you have never seen before. During your pregnancy, you will be able to care for your baby and carry them close to you. But, in this close proximity, you can be exposing your child to dangers you may not be aware of. Because your baby is inside of you, and dependent on you for safety and nutrients, it is ultimately up to you to make sure you are giving the baby what it needs. At the same time, you are also responsible for making sure that your baby is not in danger of infection or birth defects.
In our previous blog, we discussed some factors that could put you and your baby at risk. We will continue with listing off things that could harm you both, in the hope that by reading about possible threats, you will do your best to avoid them.

Trampolining

Trampolines are incredibly fun for people of all ages. Trampolines aren’t typically restrictive, but when you are expecting, it is best to keep off of a trampoline. During your first trimester, it is important to stay off your personal trampoline or to avoid going to indoor trampoline parks. In order to stay safe, you should always consult with your doctor and gain medical clearance if you would still like to bounce while pregnant. However, the clearance won’t last long, as you won’t be able to bounce in the second or third trimesters.
As the baby grows, you will be getting larger. When you grow, your body naturally will lose its original center of gravity and balance. Balance is essential for bouncing and if you aren’t balanced, you could fall. Any activity that put you at risk of falling should be heavily avoided during your second and third trimesters. Unfortunately, bouncing is one of them.
Aside from falling, while you are pregnant, you are at a greater risk of severely injuring yourself. During your second and third trimesters, your body will naturally release relaxin. This hormone is utilized in order to prepare your body for the eventual birth. The hormone loosens up your joints and relaxes your pelvis, making them vulnerable to injury. So, no matter how much an experienced jumper you are, one wrong fall could result in serious consequences for you and your unborn child.

Tanning

Tanning — any tanning — is not a good idea while pregnant. Both self-tanners and tanning beds both can pose a threat to your baby.
Fake tanning locations will have an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Though the chemical is non-toxic on the outermost layers of your skin, it can still be dangerous. Because you apply DHA to your skin repeatedly to get the perfect tan, your cells are exposed to the chemical. It is rare, but some people who use tanning lotion can have an allergic reaction to the solution. Whether you are pregnant or not, having an allergic reaction all over your body can be traumatic and cause your body to go into shock. Because of this, most pregnant mothers are warned to stay from tanning locations.
Tanning beds are not recommended for pregnant mothers. Because sunbeds give off ultraviolet (UV) rays, they are extremely dangerous for both mothers and their babies. UV rays can give off harmful radiation that can cause skin cancer in the mother, as well as birth defects in the fetus. Also, pregnant mothers will typically have more sensitive skin due to the intense concentration of hormones in their bodies. If you try to tan in a tanning bed you might find that you are more easily burned than you used to be.

Cat Litter

If you have a cat and you are pregnant, it is time for you to play that, “I am pregnant” card. Of course, you can still clean out the litter but you have to be very careful. Why? Well, toxoplasmosis is a common infection that occurs in most birds and mammals. The parasite called Toxoplasma gondii is typically found in cat feces and cat litter. Though the risk of getting the parasite while you’re pregnant is low, you will never want to take that risk. If you are infected during your first trimester, you might suffer a miscarriage or your baby might suffer from blindness or brain damage. It is important if you have to clean out the litter box, that you do so with gloves on. After you are done cleaning up the mess, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. But, if you have a significant other, you may ask them nicely to clean it up while you are expecting.

Rebounderz

At Rebounderz, our goal is to make sure everyone in your family has a good time, safely. This, of course, includes the adults too. If you are pregnant, you cannot jump on our trampolines. However, if you have other younger children, you can still bring them to bounce on their own. At our indoor trampoline park, we also have a comfortable seating area for you to sit at while your other children play. If you want to bring your other children to a fun, as well as safe place, Rebounderz is it! Contact us today!