Food makes our life possible and makes it better along the way. The sheer diversity of food products in the world means that there is always something for everyone. But not everything is for everyone. For would-be mothers, food is no longer a delicacy but the clay that would mold the life they are bringing into this world. The right clay makes a masterpiece, but the wrong clay could spell disaster.
Amidst the variety of foods supremely beneficial to pregnant women, some could also be severely harmful. There are a lot of misconceptions about food during pregnancy: like can papaya cause miscarriage in early pregnancy, or why to avoid banana during pregnancy first trimester. Som e of them are just misconceptions, while others are scientifically-backed facts. The mommy-to-be needs to be aware of what food she could have, and what she must definitely avoid.
How Food could cause miscarriage
At first glance, it might seem strange that a regular, everyday food item could cause something as severe as a miscarriage. But looks could be deceptive. Generally, here is how food items could lead to a miscarriage:
- Foodborne infection
Certain bacteria and parasites present in food could cross the placenta and infect the fetus. In other cases, they could cause food poisoning, diarrhea, dehydration, and other severe symptoms.
- Uterine-stimulating compounds
Certain compounds present in some food items, like bromelain, latex, and anthraquinones, have the potential to stimulate the uterus and cause pre-term labor, stillbirth, or miscarriage.
- Toxins
Certain foods could contain toxins (like lead) or toxic amounts of permissible substances (like caffeine and Vitamin A) which could induce miscarriage in pregnant women.
Food To Avoid During Pregnancy
- Canned Seafood
For people not living near coastal regions, canned products are often the only way to enjoy some seafood. However, for pregnant women, it is advisable to eat canned seafood with some caution. Some varieties, like sharks, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish, are high in mercury. Higher doses of mercury could cause developmental infirmities in the fetus. There is also the risk of listeria contamination. While modern canning facilities use heat treatment which should kill most bacteria, it is still best to not consume raw or undercooked canned seafood. The high sodium content of canned foods is also a health risk for everyone – pregnant or otherwise.
Recommendation: If necessary, opt for low-mercury options like salmon or sardines. Remember to wash and cook thoroughly before consuming.
- Papaya
Can papaya cause miscarriage in early pregnancy? Yes, quite possibly. Unripe and even semi-ripe papaya has high amounts of latex which could cause uterine contractions leading to a miscarriage. It also contains high amounts of the enzyme papain which has been linked with interfering with the hormone progesterone in women.
Recommendation: Completely avoid raw and semi-ripe papaya during pregnancy. Ripened papaya could be taken in small amounts only after a doctor’s consultation.
- Pineapple
Another common question is pineapple good for pregnancy. The honest answer is no. The fruit contains the compound bromelain which could cause the cervix to soften and induce contractions. High consumption of pineapple in pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, might cause a miscarriage.
Recommendation: Small quantities of ripened pineapple are okay to consume early in pregnancy, but should be taken only after doctor’s consultation .
- Raw eggs
Eggs are an excellent food product, particularly as a source of high-quality protein. But they could also pose a health hazard- particularly to would-be mothers. Raw eggs contain the bacterium salmonella which could cause food poisoning. While it doesn’t directly cause a miscarriage, the symptoms of food poisoning – like diarrhea, high fever, and dehydration – could harm both the mother and the fetus. Pregnant women also have a weakened immune system which makes me more susceptible to food poisoning.
Recommendation: Avoid raw eggs completely – including in food products like mayonnaise, hollandaise, and Caesar salad dressing. Eating eggs is fine as long as they are well-cooked and (preferably) pasteurized.
- Uncooked meat
As nutritious and delicious meat can be, it is also often a prime carrier of food-borne illnesses. For expecting mothers, they pose an even greater threat. Meat could contain bacteria like salmonella and E.coli which could cause food poisoning. It might contain the parasite toxoplasmosis which, if transmitted to the fetus, could lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, or birth defects. Listeria is another bacteria found in contaminated meat that could cause miscarriage in pregnant women (who are 10 times more prone to contract the bacteria).
Recommendation: Cooking is the only way to get rid of these microorganisms, so completely avoid undercooked meat, including cold cuts and sushi. Try to reduce the consumption of meat nonetheless during the latter stage of pregnancy.
- Unpasteurised dairy
Milk is one of the most beneficial things a woman could consume during pregnancy as it is a treasure of essential nutrients. However, unpasteurized milk could be equally dangerous to an expecting mother.
Most packaged milk in the market goes through a pasteurization process which kills almost all microorganisms in it. This is because unpasteurized milk contains harmful microorganisms like salmonella, E.coli, and listeria which could cause severe food poisoning. As discussed above, the symptoms of food poisoning could make the mother severely sick and even cause miscarriage. Listeria could also cross the placenta and directly harm the fetus which could lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, and congenital birth defects.
Recommendation: Avoid all kinds of unpasteurized milk and products made from unpasteurized milk (including soft cheese, yogurt, etc.). Only consume pasteurized milk; even then, consuming stale milk could also promote bacterial growth.
- Animal Liver
The liver is considered the most nutritious organ of any animal and is often recommended for its health benefits. But as they say, too much of anything is dangerous.
Liver comes packed with Vitamin A in the form of retinol. While Vitamin A is an essential nutrient, excess Vitamin A could negatively impact the development of the fetus (particularly during the first trimester). Overconsumption of a Vitamin A source could cause complications like spina bifida (birth defect in the spine), hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain), urinary tract defects, and heart defects. The liver is also high in cholesterol and overconsumption could lead to blocked arteries and other cardiac issues. If it comes from an infected animal, the liver could also contain toxins that do not get removed even after cooking.
Recommendation: Eating liver is fine as long as it is well-cooked and in small quantities (even then, perhaps only once a month). As a source of Vitamin A, opt for safer alternatives like carrots and leafy greens.
- Aloe vera
Aloe vera is one of the healthiest plants that offer a range of benefits, be it skincare, digestion, or liver health. But for pregnant women, it is wise to maintain a safe distance from this plant.
Aloe vera contains the compound anthraquinones which is a natural laxative. While this might be beneficial for normal people suffering from constipation, in the case of expecting mothers it could cause uterine contractions that might lead to early delivery or even miscarriage. Excess consumption of aloe vera could also cause diarrhea and hormonal imbalance in women.
Recommendation: Avoid consumption of raw aloe vera or aloe vera juice. Aloe vera in skincare products is fine as long as it is used topically; even then, avoid contact with open wounds or broken skin.
- Excess Caffeine
It is hard to imagine a morning without coffee – that’s how integral it has become to our everyday routines. As a stimulant, caffeine is not without its side effects; the effects are all the more dangerous in the case of expecting mothers.
Even though the safe consumption limit of caffeine for healthy adults is 400 mg/day, studies suggest that even moderately high consumption of caffeine (200 – 300 mg/day) has been linked with a higher rate of miscarriage. Caffeine is one of the compounds that could permeate through the placenta and reach the fetus which is not yet developed to metabolize it; caffeine could also block the flow of blood to the placenta. Apart from this, higher caffeine consumption can also affect the health of the mother, leading to disrupted sleep patterns, anxiety, increased heart rate, and higher blood pressure.
Recommendation: While it is permissible to consume coffee, try to stick to the safe limit of 100 mg/day or lower. Also watch out for other food products – energy drinks, chocolates, soft drinks, etc. – that might also contain caffeine.
- Drumsticks
Drumsticks are an integral part of our diets, particularly if you are South Indian. There are numerous drumstick benefits for female subjects as well – the food is rich in Vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and iron. Yet, when consumed excessively, it could pose severe health risks for pregnant women. The plant contains alpha-sitosterol, a phytoestrogen, which mimics the hormone estrogen in women and could cause hormone imbalance, even smoothening of uterine muscles that might induce miscarriage.
Recommendation: It is safe to consume drumsticks in pregnancy as long as they are taken in moderation (about once a week).
Conclusion
Like all good things in life, food also comes with its own disclaimers. A few simple precautions are enough for expecting mommies to ensure the safety and well-being of their baby.
