Every pregnant woman wants to know: will it harm my baby? It seems everything you put on your body or in your mouth could be bad for your baby – but that’s not entirely true. We debunk the rumours and give you the lowdown on what you can and can’t eat (sorry, still no salmon sushi!), what exercise to avoid, which beauty products to throw away and why chocolate mousse is out.
1 CAN I DIET DURING PREGNANCY?
No! Pregnancy is not the time to diet. Starve yourself and you starve your baby. You could miss out on giving your baby all the nutrients he needs to develop properly.
Don’t be afraid of weight gain – it’s completely normal, but also don’t see this as a time to eat all kinds of things you usually woudn’t (put down the third doughnut). An increase of approximately 9kg to 12kg or even a little more (or less if you’re overweight) is normal. It all depends on your body, build and height and your starting weight.
2 IS A FACIAL SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?
A resounding yes. Simply inform the therapist that you are pregnant. Stay clear of chemical peels and opt for basic cleansing or rejuvenating facials.
3 IS USING SUNSCREEN SAFE?
It’s more than safe, it’s vital! Pregnancy makes you sensitive to the sun, so you need to be extra careful. Wear a high factor sunblock.
4 CAN I USE ANY SHAMPOO?
Not exactly. A small amount of chemicals can be absorbed through the scalp, and there are chemicals in shampoos that are best avoided. Also make sure to check dandruff shampoos, as many of these chemicals
