What the Doctors Have to Say

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued these warnings:

Alcohol. The more you drink, the greater the risk to the unborn baby, especially in the first few weeks after conception--before many women know they are pregnant. No two babies are affected in the same way by the same level of alcohol. But babies of women who drink heavily (four to six mixed drinks, beers or glasses of wine per day) are much more likely to be born with fetal alcohol syndrome. Although no one knows what is a safe level of drinking during pregnancy, most physicians agree that a few drinks over the course of a pregnancy is probably no cause for alarm.

Cigarettes. Pregnant women who smoke risk miscarriage, low-weight babies and premature births. The more you smoke, the greater the risk. If you smoke more than 11 cigarettes a day, you are a heavy smoker. Quit if you can; otherwise, cut down as much as possible. The greatest risk is to babies of smokers in the second half of their pregnancies.

Caffeine. It is not known whether caffeine causes birth defects or other problems for the fetus. But caffeine found in coffee, tea, chocolate, some soft drinks and medications is known to be a stimulant that crosses the placenta. Drink fewer than four cups of coffee a day and try to eat something when you have a caffeine drink.

Exercise. Regular exercise is encouraged during most pregnancies. How much to do depends primarily on how much you did before you became pregnant. Maintain a safe body temperature--less than 101 or 102 degrees, and a safe heart rate--no faster than 140 beats per minute for most women. Avoid exercising in extreme heat or extreme cold. No pain, no gain doesn’t apply when you are pregnant. If there is any pain anywhere, stop.