Cleaning During Pregnancy: 5 Dos and 3 Don'ts

Many things change when you’re expecting, including how much housecleaning you should do — and what’s safe and what’s not. So before you start to vacuum or scrub, take note of the Dos and Don’ts of cleaning during pregnancy.

DOs:

1. Read the labels.

Cleaning products that have low “acute toxicity” (most glass and general cleaners) probably won’t bother you, but since no one really knows how these chemicals could affect your baby, experts recommend erring on the side of safety by reducing your family’s “toxic burden” wherever possible. So get a little greener before your baby arrives. Look for products labeled nontoxic and all-natural instead. 

2. Make your own safe cleaning supplies.

Another way to make the switch to more natural products is to DIY. The following are particularly inexpensive and effective:

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to make an all-purpose cleaning solution for countertops, tubs and tile.
2. Baking soda makes an excellent hard-water-stain remover in your tub or shower. First, wipe the area with a rag soaked in white vinegar (wear latex gloves so your hands don’t stink), then sprinkle generously with baking soda. Scrub the tile clean with the same vinegar-soaked rag.

Postpartum Depression (PND)

What is Postpartum Depression?
- commonly referred to as “postnatal blues” or “baby blues”
- defined as part of the psychological disturbance & usually occurs a few days after delivery
- lasts 2 to 3 days
- PND is characterized by mood swings, tearfulness, lack of confidence, self-reproach, poor sleep, changes in appetite and loss of libido

- depression can follow PND
- mother suffering from PND may feel depressed, irritable, worthless, helpless, tired and lacking in drive
- the mother may even perceive her infant as being difficult baby & is unable to cope with the demands of a newborn

How can Postpartum Depression be managed?

What are the effects of pregnancy on asthma?

- when women with asthma become pregnant, one-third of the patients improve, one-third worsen, and the last third remain unchanged
- although studies vary widely on the overall effect of pregnancy on asthma, several reviews find the following similar trends:

    * Women with severe asthma are more likely to worsen, while those with mild asthma are more likely to improve or remain unchanged
   
    * The change in the course of asthma in an individual woman during pregnancy tends to be similar on successive pregnancies

    * Asthma exacerbations are most likely to appear during the weeks 24 to 36 of gestation, with only occasional patients (10% or fewer) becoming symptomatic during labor and delivery

Pregnancy A-Z for first trimester

1. Bodily changes. Even though the body has changed very little from the outside this early in your pregnancy, huge changes are taking place within.

2. Folate and folic acid. Even before you are pregnant, while you are still trying to conceive, increase your intake of folate or take folic acid supplement.

3. Nature. 1 in 5 embryos miscarries very early. If possible, take heart in the fact that imperfect embryos miscarry spontaneously.

4. Maximise development. This period offers you the chance to maximise your baby's development, along with your own health, through your diet and lifestyle.

5. Nauseous. Severe nausea (cause ~10% body weight loss) or a total lack of nausea are not causes for concern. Both conditions still produce healthy babies.

6. Combat nausea. Eating little and often, grazing on the "white diet" or consuming fresh or crystallized ginger can help combat nausea (more tiredness results in more nausea).