Pregnancy is a joyful nine-month journey that requires some sacrifices. You won’t have to say goodbye to every food you love or activity you enjoy, but you will want to err on the side of caution and make some changes to keep you and your little one healthy.

When you’re pregnant your baby consumes what you consume. Certain things, like alcohol, smoking or recreational drugs, aren’t good for you at any time, but you should completely avoid them when pregnant. Alcohol is associated with low birth weight, premature delivery and learning disabilities, and there is no “safe” amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Now that you’re carrying precious cargo, there are a few foods, drinks, medications and activities you should limit or avoid.

• Fish high in mercury: Mercury can damage your baby’s vision and hearing, so it’s important to limit your exposure during pregnancy. Avoid larger fish, like swordfish, tilefish or king mackerel. Stick to smaller fish, like cod, tilapia or salmon. In general, canned, chunk light tuna has lower levels of mercury, but it’s still best to eat it sparingly.
• Raw or undercooked eggs, meat and shellfish: Stay away from sushi and uncooked seafood, including oysters, mussels, and clams. Also avoid rare or undercooked beef and poultry, and foods that contain raw eggs, like Caesar dressings, Hollandaise sauces, mayonnaise, and certain custards.
• Soft cheeses and unpasteurized dairy: Imported soft cheeses can have listeria, so avoid Roquefort, feta, Gorgonzola, Camembert, and Brie. Mexican cheeses, like queso blanco and queso fresco, should be avoided unless they’re made from pasteurized milk. Raw milk or unpasteurized milk is not safe to consume during pregnancy.
• Deli meat: Cold cuts can cause listeriosis, which is one of the infections that can cross the placenta. If your craving for a turkey sandwich is too much to bear, warm it up in the microwave first. If you heat cold cuts until they’re 165 degrees, they should be safe to eat.
• Raw sprouts: Alfalfa, clover, radish and mung bean sprouts are breeding grounds for bacteria, so avoid eating them raw.
• Caffeine: Much of the data regarding pregnancy and caffeine consumption is inconclusive, but the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you limit caffeine to 200 mg a day during pregnancy. This is about 1.5 cups of coffee. Don’t forget that caffeine isn’t just in tea and coffee. You’ll find it in chocolate, sodas, and even some over-the-counter medicines.
• Prescription acne medications: Isotretinoin, tazarotene, and spironolactone have been linked to serious birth defects, so you should stop taking them immediately if you become pregnant.
• NSAID pain relievers: Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen while pregnant can cause birth defects and damage your baby’s internal organs. The risk is highest in the first trimester. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the recommended painkiller during pregnancy.
• Common OTC drugs: While many OTC drugs are safe to use during pregnancy, some antidiarrheals, decongestants, antihistamines, nasal sprays, and expectorants are not. Always check with your healthcare provider before taking any OTC drug during pregnancy.
• Changing a litter box: Cleaning dirty litter boxes can put a person at risk of toxoplasmosis, a rare parasitic disease that can be passed to the fetus. If you must change the kitty litter, wear gloves and wash your hands well afterward.
• Hot tubs, saunas and coverheating: Hyperthermia, or abnormally high body temperature, may lead to congenital abnormalities. While this is predominantly a risk in the first trimester, it can also cause problems later in pregnancy. Avoid any activity that may cause your body temperature to rise too high, including hot yoga, sunbathing or strenuous exercise.
• Stress: A little anxiety is to be expected and won’t harm your baby, but the cumulative effects of stress over time can cause high blood pressure, which can increase your chance of having pre-term labor. One of the best ways to avoid stress during pregnancy is to ask questions and take necessary precautions. When in doubt, check with us.