Weekly Update: 11 Weeks Pregnancy plus Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy



Image from Baby Center



How your baby's growing: (from Baby Center

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.
She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.
Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy

On my 11^th weeks of pregnancy, my appetite is increasing, though I haven’t gained weight much.  People everywhere are preparing a variety of foods to refresh during summer time. There has been food everywhere. As a concerned parent, I am concern on what food should I avoid during pregnancy. During my pregnancy with Celine, I avoided softdrinks, chocolates and junk foods. Some mommies have shared that they are more “maselan” or careful with what they eat on their pregnancy with their first babies, but when it comes to their second babies, they don’t bother anymore. For me, I don’t want to risk, I want to ensure the well being and safety of my second baby just like what I did with my first. Thus, it is vital for me to eat a well balanced diet in order to ensure that my child will grow and develop normally, right from the start.

Since during pregnancy, everything that goes into our mouth will also reach our baby in some point, we should take note of the following foods that may pose a potential risk to our unborn baby

(Source: Women's Health Care Topics)

1. Raw Meat- These may contain bacteria, toxoplasmosis and Salmonella, all of which are harmful to the unborn baby.
2. Deli Meats- These includesfoods available at the deli counter such as hot dogs, beef and chicken preparations.These preparations may be contaminated  with a substance called Listeria, which can  cause miscarriage or stillborn delivery.
3. Imported soft cheeses- imported unpasteurized cheeses including blue cheese, feta, Brie or camembert should be avoided- they may also contain Listeria.
4. Undercooked eggs- Raw eggs or undercooked eggs may contain Salmonella. Signs of Salmonella poisoning includes: fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
5. Fish- While eating fish can be beneficial during your pregnancy, there are certain types of fish that you should avoid. These include shark, swordfish, king mackerel, excess tuna and tile fish, as all of these contain high levels of mercury, which can affect your unborn child's nervous system. Generally it is safe to eat 12 ounces of other fish including salmon and tilapia, which are full of nutritious benefits. Canned tuna should also be avoided due to high levels of mercury contamination.
   
   High levels of mercury can affect your health, and it can actually damage the brain of your developing baby. To keep your baby healthy, you will want to limit the amount of fish you eat. While fish is typically not a pregnancy food to avoid totally, you can reduce your risk by eating your fish consumption during pregnancy.
6. Caffeine: While a small amount of caffeine (1 small cup a day) may provide a much needed lift for pregnant moms, in general caffeine should be avoided during pregnancy. High amounts of caffeine consumption have been linked with birth defects and increased risks of miscarriage.
   
   Remember that caffeine is present in many every day food items including chocolate, tea and soda. To play it safe you should avoid caffeine entirely during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to reduce the likelihood of miscarriage. Daily caffeine intake of more than four to seven cups of coffee a day appears to double the risk of spontaneous miscarriage.
7. Alcohol: Alcohol is harmful to your baby's development. Alcohol will cross the placenta and affect your baby, so every time you drink when you are pregnant your baby does to.
   
   If you are pregnant and have been drinking alcohol, stop now! There is no determined level of alcohol consumption that is considered safe during pregnancy. Daily consumption of alcohol in early pregnancy might lead to a condition called fetal alcohol syndrome. To give your baby the best start in life, alcohol should be considered a food to avoid in pregnancy.
8. Artificial Sweeteners: : If you're a regular diet soda guzzler, you may want to switch to another type of drink during pregnancy. A new study published in a July 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that drinking artificially sweetened soft drinks during pregnancy may increase your risk of preterm delivery.
   
   It is important during pregnancy to learn which foods are safe to eat and which foods you should avoid during pregnancy. By doing so you will provide the best possible environment for your baby to grow and develop in.
   
   A healthy pregnancy depends on a healthy diet. For the best possible health benefits, talk to your health care provider about a balanced diet rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals from fresh food sources.
   
   With a bit of planning and encouragement, you can learn to plan wonderful, tasty meals that will satisfy your cravings and benefit the health of your unborn child as well.
   
   While you may feel that pregnancy limits your choice of foods, you must keep in mind that this list of foods to avoid in pregnancy will only benefit your baby in the long term. By sticking to this list of foods to avoid in pregnancy, you are ensuring that you have a healthy baby and happy pregnancy!

Remember, you only have 40 weeks of pregnancy. You can eat anything you want after your baby is born – including anything on this list of foods to avoid during pregnancy.