Navigating what’s safe to do (and not to do) when you’re pregnant can seem like a minefield.
But rest assured there’s plenty of common-sense advice available.
And it’s worth remembering that your pregnancy will fly by – so all those things you miss doing will be even more enjoyable when your baby arrives.
Staying safe and looking after your baby’s health while you’re pregnant is an important way you can start bonding with them.
I’m pregnant, so am I safe to…
1. Sit in a hot tub?
Ahhh, the bliss of vegging out in a jacuzzi or sauna. Sounds appealing, what with all the aches and pains of pregnancy, right?
But experts recommend that you avoid them for the time being as the heat can leave you feeling dehydrated or faint.
If you’re looking for a watery way to relax and bond with your bump, a nice quiet – lukewarm – bath might be just the ticket or maybe try swimming or aquanatal classes.
2. Jog?
Staying active during pregnancy is great for you and your baby – with plenty of benefits for your mind, as well as your body.
The rule of thumb is that you should avoid extreme and contact sports like football and not take up any new high-intensity fitness activities.
So, if you ran regularly before your pregnancy then it’s safe to continue for as long as you find comfortable.
But take it easy – during pregnancy, your body releases a hormone called relaxin, which loosens your joints and may increase your chance of injury.
There are plenty of other ways to stay active: brisk walks are easy to fit into most routines and the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and family, as well bond with your bump.
For more pregnancy-friendly exercise ideas, .
3. Dye my hair?
You are exposed to very low amounts of chemicals when you colour your hair, so most research shows that it’s actually safe to dye your hair during pregnancy.
However, if you’re feeling cautious, you could wait until later in your pregnancy and try natural-based dyes (always remember to do a small strand test beforehand) or ask your hairdresser for highlights.
4. Do some painting?
Redecorating on your to-do list?
Leave any DIY that involves paint-stripping chemicals or solvent-based paints (like those for doors and skirting boards) to your nearest and dearest.
You should be fine using regular water-based, odour-free paints on your walls – but do open windows to ventilate your room and wear a mask.
5. Top up my fake tan?
It's generally considered safe to use fake tan creams and lotions during pregnancy, but best to avoid spray tans, because the effects of inhaling the spray are unknown.
6. Wear heels?
As your joints are under extra strain during pregnancy, avoid very high heels – doubt you’ll feel like wearing them anyway. The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists recommends comfortable, supportive footwear – ideally with straps, laces, or Velcro and a heel height of 3cm, which will shift your weight a little further forward and improve your posture.
7. Change the cat's litter tray?
It’s super-rare but a bug in cat litter and cat poo can cause something called toxoplasmosis infection. So, this is a task you can happily offload to someone else (bonus!).
If you’re gardening, wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards – soil can be contaminated with cat poo.
8. Have the flu vaccine?
You’re actually , as research shows you’re more likely to have complications if you catch flu, particularly later on in the pregnancy.
It's normally available from September until around January or February each year, is safe during any stage of pregnancy and is free. So ask your GP!
9. Take painkillers?
Pregnant women are generally advised to avoid taking ibuprofen – paracetamol is recommended as a safer choice.
For more advice on medicines, visit the .
10. Fly?
If you’re healthy and having a normal pregnancy, it's usually safe to fly. But always discuss it with your GP or midwife first: after 28 weeks, most airlines will need their permission.
And bear in mind that you won’t be allowed to fly on many airlines after week 37 of pregnancy, or after week 32 if you're pregnant with twins or more babies.
If you're travelling, don’t forget to pack your pregnancy notes just in case.
11. Go to a gig?
Loud music isn’t going to affect your baby’s hearing but you should avoid areas like the mosh-pit where you’re likely to get knocked and crushed, and try bagging a seat.
Article produced with help from Pamela Mills, an NHS midwife based in Greater Manchester.
