In general, all of these, except for saccharin, are considered safe to use in moderation during pregnancy. High-quality studies in pregnant animals have shown no evidence of birth defects or other adverse effects on pregnancy associated with any of these sweeteners. One health consideration for pregnant women, however, is that artificially sweetened food and drinks tend to be lacking in nutrients.
If you fill up on diet soda or sweet foods, you won't get the benefits of more nutritious foods and beverages. Aspartame is considered safe to use during pregnancy. It's also not secreted in breast milk, so you won't pass it to your baby when you're nursing. You may find, however, that aspartame gives you a headache. Don't worry: it won't harm you or your baby. But you may want to avoid aspartame for your own comfort.
There is one group of women who shouldn't use aspartame during pregnancy, however: Women who have a rare genetic disease called phenylketonuria PKU.
These women lack an enzyme that allows them to process the amino acid phenylalanine, an ingredient in aspartame. If they ingest aspartame, they can end up with high levels of phenylalanine in their blood, which can cause birth defects.
Sucralose is a zero-calorie sweetener made from normal table sugar. It's considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies don't show any increased risk of birth defects or pregnancy problems with exposure to high amounts. Experts recommend that you avoid saccharin during pregnancy. It's not clear whether it's safe to use this sweetener, as it can cross the placenta and stay in your baby's tissue.
Studies in lab rats in the s found that large amounts of saccharin caused bladder cancer, especially in male rats. But later human studies haven't shown a definitive link. If you accidentally eat something with saccharin in it, don't worry. Small amounts won't hurt your baby. It's OK to have an occasional diet soda or sugar-free food with these sweeteners here and there. But if you're really craving something sweet, it's probably better to have the real thing, as long as it's in moderation.
If you've already had something with saccharin in it during your pregnancy, don't obsess about it. It's highly unlikely that small amounts could harm your baby. Still, it's wise to check product labels and try to avoid — or at least limit — anything with artificial sweeteners especially saccharin , just to be safe. After all, this is one time in your life when you have a good reason to avoid diet foods!
And the more naturally flavored whole foods you eat during pregnancy, the better. No, not unless your due date is near or your doctor tells you that you or your baby has a medical condition that warrants keeping you near home. Women with certain health conditions — like high blood pressure hypertension or blood clots, a history of miscarriage, premature labor, ectopic pregnancy, or other prenatal complications — are encouraged not to fly. Otherwise, most healthy pregnant women can fly up to 4 weeks before their due date.
After that, it's best to stay close to home in case you deliver. Note: it is recommended that pregnant women not fly to areas with high altitudes, regions with disease outbreaks, or where certain vaccines are recommended for travelers beforehand. For women with healthy pregnancies, there are no significant risks. However, women who have difficult pregnancies, especially involving their cardiovascular system, could be compromised by air flight and should discuss any flying plans with their doctor.
Discuss any plans for lengthy or distant travel with your doctor during your last trimester, just in case. If he or she says it's OK, check with the airlines to find out what their policies are regarding flying during pregnancy. Most airlines will allow pregnant women to fly up until week According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG , because very little dye is absorbed through the skin, dying your hair is "most likely safe" during pregnancy, despite what doctors in years past may have advised.
That's good news for many expectant women — coloring your hair can be a great little confidence boost when everything else going on with your body feels so out of your control. While very few studies have closely looked at the many different kinds of hair treatments and their potential effects on a fetus, what is known shows that hair treatments are most likely safe.
If you're concerned but want to give yourself a little lift, try having your hair highlighted. This uses far fewer chemicals than dying your entire head of hair. For most pregnant women, low-impact exercise is a great way to feel better and help prepare the body for labor. Low-impact exercise increases your heart rate and intake of oxygen while helping you avoid sudden or jarring actions that can stress your joints, bones, and muscles. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, stick to low-impact exercise.
How much is enough? The U. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least minutes that's 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week for healthy women who are not already highly active or used to doing vigorous-intensity activity. If you were very active or did intense aerobic activities before getting pregnant you may be able to continue your exercise routine, as long as your doctor says it's safe for you and your baby.
High-impact exercise can cause increased pressure on the structures within the uterus that could lead to problems such as premature labor or bleeding. Some of the healthy ways pregnant women can stay fit include walking, swimming, water aerobics, yoga, and Pilates.
But be sure to talk to your doctor before starting — or continuing — any exercise routine during pregnancy. While chemicals like ammonia and chlorine may make you nauseated because of the smell, they're not toxic, says the March of Dimes. But others such as some paints, paint thinners, oven cleaners, varnish removers, air fresheners, aerosols, carpet cleaners, etc. It depends on the product. Some household chemicals may have no effect, while others in high doses could be harmful.
Here a few tips to help keep household chemicals use safe during your pregnancy:. They're considered poisons, and pregnant women should stay away from them as much as possible. Although the occasional household use of insecticides might not be dangerous, it's best to be careful. High levels of exposure may cause:. As for insect repellents which may contain DEET, or diethyltoluamide , the risks aren't fully known.
So, it's best to either not use them at all during pregnancy or to wear gloves to place a small amount on socks, shoes, and outer clothing instead of putting repellents directly on your skin.
If you have a real problem with pesky bugs around your home, the March of Dimes suggests the following:. However, exposure to high lead levels is rare for women in the United States. Exposure to high levels of lead can cause:. If your home was built before , it could have lead-based paint.
But it only becomes a problem if the paint is chipping, peeling, or being removed. Some homes also may have lead pipes or copper piping with lead solder that can allow lead to enter the tap water.
Should I avoid or limit it? They include:. Overheating in the first trimester can lead to neural tube defects and miscarriage. Later in the pregnancy, it can lead to dehydration in the mother. Instead of hot tubs or saunas, take a dip in a cool pool. And it's probably a good idea to stick to warm or slightly hot baths and showers. If you have a fever during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor about ways to lower it.
And follow your body's cues that you're getting overheated when exercising or enjoying the great outdoors in the warmer months. But if you've already become overheated during your pregnancy, don't worry too much about it. Chances are, you removed yourself from the uncomfortable situation before any damage was done. Although there's no proof that self-tanners are harmful to an unborn baby, there haven't been many studies done on their effects to a fetus.
No risks specific to tanning have been documented. For a summer glow, skip the self-tanner and apply some bronzer to your face, neck, shoulders, and chest. And if you do decide to try a self-tanner, that's far safer than lying out in the sun and becoming potentially overheated.
Overheating in the first trimester, as discussed above, can lead to significant problems for the baby; later in the pregnancy, it could lead to dehydration in the mother. Still, ask your doctor before applying any "tan in a bottle.
Most pregnant women having a "normal" pregnancy can continue having sex — it's perfectly safe for both mom and the baby, even up until the delivery. Of course, you'll probably need to adapt positions for your own comfort as your belly gets bigger. Doctors may advise against sexual intercourse if they anticipate or find significant complications with a woman's pregnancy, including:. You should not have sex with a partner whose sexual history is unknown to you or who may have a sexually transmitted disease STD , such as herpes , genital warts , chlamydia , or HIV.
If you become infected, the disease may be passed to your baby, with potentially dangerous effects. Registry Builder New. Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Wu, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals.
From aspartame to stevia to erythritol, get the lowdown on which pastel packets, sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners to pick — and avoid — when you're expecting. Back to Top. In This Article. View Sources. Goran, M. Effects of consuming sugars and alternative sweeteners during pregnancy on maternal and child health: Evidence for a secondhand sugar effect. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 78 3 , But could these be harmful to my baby?
Mayo Clinic, Artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes , May 25, Artificial sweeteners as a sugar substitute: Are they really safe?. Indian J Pharmacol.
Food and Drug Administration, High-intensity sweeteners , May Food and Drug Administration, Additional information about high-intensity sweeteners permitted for use in food in the United States , February Your Health.
Pregnancy Groups. First Trimester. Jump to Your Week of Pregnancy. Pregnancy Week. Signs of Labor. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy. Smoking may also reduce blood flow to the baby and can decrease food intake by the mother.
Exposure to second-hand smoke also increases these risks. Smoking should be avoided during pregnancy. Drinking excessive amounts of caffeine has been linked to miscarriages, lowered birth weight, and other complications during pregnancy. Because caffeine may cause birth defects, the consumption of caffeine during pregnancy is discouraged. The American Dietetic Association recommends that pregnant women consume no more than mg caffeine per day.
This is the amount typically found in one 10 oz cup of coffee. Artificial sweeteners are used to give food and beverages the sweet taste of sugar without all of the calories. Many different brands can be found in the supermarket.
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