When you’re pregnant it might feel like you just get a big list of “no’s” from your doctor or even the people around you. It can be overwhelming and frustrating too. You just want to feel normal and everyone is reminding you of things that aren’t safe to do. From drinking alcohol to eating fish, your whole life can feel like nothing is safe anymore.
The truth is while there are a lot of things that you’ll have to change for a little while, there are some things that are still safe. You don’t have to change all of your old habits, which can be good news for anyone struggling to feel normal during pregnancy. Here are five things that are still safe to do will pregnant.
1. Having Sex Is Safe During Pregnancy
Sometimes women who are pregnant may feel like they shouldn’t have sex. This is a common question that comes up in gyno offices across the country. Here’s the good news: Sex is safe during pregnancy. The only time this isn’t true is if your doctor informs you that there’s a high risk issue going on and asks you to abstain from sex. Otherwise, get to the fun. It’s okay!
You might find that sex is even better while pregnant. The increase in blood volume means there’s more blood flowing to your clitoris. That means orgasms can be easier to have and more intense to feel. You may have to change some positions, especially as you get farther along, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have sex at all. Enjoy it while you can! Babies tend to leave little time for sex after they’re born.
Related: 5 Best Positions For Pregnant Women
2. Eating Most Foods Is Safe During Pregnancy
So you might have to avoid sushi or cold lunch meat but that doesn’t mean you have to change your entire diet. You can still enjoy most of the same foods you did before. That’s great news, right? There are some things you’ll need to limit like your caffeine intake. But there are other things you can eat until you’re stuffed.
You might want to increase the amount of healthy things you eat every day but that doesn’t mean you can’t eat pizza or fries too. Talk with your doctor about what’s going to be the healthiest pregnancy diet for you. Remember that most things are okay in moderation. Your doctor can steer you in the right direction if you aren’t sure.
3. Working Out Is Still Safe
Working out is another thing many women have questions about when they first find out they’re pregnant. It’s still safe to do while pregnant so don’t stress too much about it. You may want to switch up what you normally do, but that doesn’t mean you should give up working out altogether. Some activities just might not be appropriate anymore.
Anything super risky like gymnastics, for example, may not be ideal while pregnant. Sometimes you may also just be too tired for an intense work out. Yoga or pilates might be a great substitute for what you usually do. Just remember the farther along you are, the more things are going to change with your center of balance. Take that into account for your work out routine so you stay safe and active your whole pregnancy.
4. Relaxing Is Still Safe
Sometimes women might feel an urge to always be active while they’re pregnant. They may think relaxing isn’t a good idea, or might just be feeling pressure to keep moving. The truth here is relaxing is still entirely safe. You should take time for yourself when you can right now. It’s okay to just sit on the couch and watch some Netflix.
While it’s good to still work out and get other things done, it’s also good to be kind to yourself. Don’t feel like you always have to be on the go. Now is the time to relax. Your baby will keep you busy after it’s born so don’t be too hard on yourself for taking some downtime right now. You deserve it.
5. Some Medicines Are Still Safe During Pregnancy
This is a suprise to a lot of women but there are still plenty of medications you can take while pregnant. You’ll want to bring a list of everything you take to your first OB appointment. Your doctor will go over what you can and cannot take. Trust your doctor on this one. It’s still safe to take things like Tylenol, for example.
If you ever aren’t sure about a medication, you should definitely make a call to your OB. They will have the info you need and are far more trustworthy than anything you read online. They’ll give you the guidance you need to get through a headache or cold while pregnant. They have you and your baby in mind when they tell you what’s safe and what isn’t.
Final Thoughts
Figuring out what’s safe during pregnancy can feel like a bit of a landmine situation. The truth is a lot of what you used to do is still safe right now. Follow the guidance your doctor gives you. They will be keeping you and your baby both in mind as they give advice.
If you feel frustrated, it’s okay to voice that. This is a big change in your life and pregnancy can feel like it’s lasting forever. Just remember that it’s all going to be worth it when you have your baby in your arms. You can do this. We have complete faith in you.
Sarah Nelson is a nurse with 15 years of experience working with a variety of patients. She has a Masters of Science in Nursing and has spent a large portion of her career working exclusively with women in an OB/GYN setting.
Nursing is a passion for Sarah but she also enjoys writing and sharing her expertise online with people who need helpful information. Treating patients well and helping them learn more about their own bodies is a key essential to a healthy lifestyle that Sarah truly believes in.