Pregnancy Dos and Don’ts

During pregnancy, it is perfectly safe to continue most of your usual daily activities. It's easy to become overly cautious and concerned, but don't feel limited by your pregnancy. Los Angeles-based obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz explains that in most cases, you can carry on with an active lifestyle without any problems.

Working out during pregnancy will not only keep you in shape, but it will improve your mental state of mind and prepare you better for labor, says Gilberg-Lenz. Let your body guide you to the appropriate level of intensity. "The idea that there is a set heart rate you should not exceed is not true," she says. "If you’re experiencing cramping and pressure, then it’s important to stop what you’re doing, but generally, you should keep exercising."

"My only rule on this is ‘have a good time,’" Gilberg-Lenz says. "If you don’t have a medical complication that has caused your doctor or midwife to tell you 'no sex,' then it's perfectly safe to have sex with your partner.

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You should visit your general practitioner either before you become pregnant or as soon as you find out. "Go to the doctor and get a general checkup," Gilberg-Lenz says. "How is your sleep, your weight and your general stress level? People forget to concentrate on themselves if they’re going to create a healthy person and a healthy family." Taking care of yourself means you're taking care of your baby.

There's no need to frantically wash your hands every five minutes just because you're pregnant. Yes, your immune system will be slightly suppressed, but stick to what you normally do. "We are more susceptible to viruses and colds during pregnancy, but you’re not actually helping the baby by obsessive cleansing or using sanitizing gels during pregnancy," says Gilberg-Lenz.

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You're probably already in the habit of washing your fruits and veggies, but in case you're not religious about it, now is the time to start. You're taking care of of two people, and it's best to give even pre-washed produce another go in the sink. "There have been outbreaks of listeria in strawberries and spinach in the past," Gilberg-Lenz says.

Let's face it: Most women don't have access to celebrity trainers and personal chefs who will help them miraculously drop the baby weight as soon as the baby is out the womb. And most likely, most women also don't have the time. Don't compensate by restricting your diet. It's important to eat good-quality food rather than junk, and listen to your body. "It's really about everything in moderation," Gilberg-Lenz says.

Your relaxation days are probably going to be limited once the baby arrives, so learn to let go and enjoy the experience of being pregnant. "You must learn to surrender control," Gilberg-Lenz says. "A lot of women get very stressed trying to control every detail. But pregnancy is the definition of surrendering control. If you don’t know how to do this, you’d better learn how."

Talk to your doctor before stopping any medication or changing the dosage if you're worried about their effect on your baby. "It's so important to manage depression," Gilberg-Lenz says. "A well, pregnant woman makes a better mom, so don't ever stop your meds without discussing with your doctor. Well-managed depression decreases post-partum depression too."

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If you're used to racking up frequent flyer miles for either business or pleasure, you don't have to stop collecting passport stamps right away, "so long as you guard against blood clots," Gilberg-Lenz advises. Higher estrogen levels will increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis." Get up and move around as much as possible during the flight to help blood circulation, and check with your doctor when you should stop flying.