Twelve Weeks Pregnant: Things To Avoid

Being twelve weeks pregnant comes with a fresh set of considerations. While you do not need to wrap yourself in cotton wool, there are certain foods, activities and habits that are best avoided during this stage of pregnancy. Here is what to steer clear of at week 12.

Foods To Avoid

Certain foods carry a risk of food poisoning or harm to your baby, and should be avoided at twelve weeks pregnant. These include unpasteurised milk and cheeses, including soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert and Chevre, unless cooked until piping hot. Mould-ripened and blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort, Danish Blue and Gorgonzola should also be skipped.

Avoid raw or undercooked meat, including cold cured meats like salami and Parma ham, unless cooked thoroughly. Raw or undercooked eggs, and foods containing them such as homemade mayonnaise, should be avoided. Look for the British Lion mark on eggs.

Certain fish need attention. Shark, swordfish and marlin should be avoided entirely due to high mercury levels. Limit tuna to no more than two steaks or four medium cans per week. Raw shellfish such as oysters, clams and mussels should be avoided unless thoroughly cooked.

Liver and liver products, such as pate and liver sausage, should be avoided due to high vitamin A levels. Keep caffeine under 200mg per day, which is around 2 cups of tea or instant coffee. Alcohol should be avoided completely, as no safe level has been established in pregnancy.

Activities To Avoid

Some everyday activities need a rethink when you are twelve weeks pregnant. Contact sports such as kickboxing, judo or rugby carry a risk of being hit in the stomach. Hot tubs and saunas should be avoided, as excessive heat in the first trimester can affect your baby. Stick to warm baths instead.

Heavy lifting should be approached with care. If you need to lift anything, bend at the knees and keep the load close to your body. Gardening without gloves is best avoided, as cat faeces in soil can carry toxoplasmosis. Wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.

Substances To Avoid

Smoking and recreational drugs significantly increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight. Ask your GP or midwife about support to quit. Certain medications, including some forms of ibuprofen and herbal remedies, should be checked with a pharmacist or midwife before use. Always tell any practitioner you are pregnant before having X-rays.

Environmental Hazards

Cat litter trays should ideally be handled by someone else, due to the risk of toxoplasmosis. Ensure good ventilation when using chemical cleaning products, and consider wearing gloves. If you live in an older property, avoid stripping old lead paint yourself while pregnant.

If you are ever unsure about something you have encountered or eaten, do not panic. Most one-off exposures will not cause harm. Speak to your midwife or GP for reassurance and guidance.