Accidents Happen: A Guide to Children's Emergencies

Pregnancy is great news, but it comes with restrictions. You have to steer clear of overexertion and unsafe toxins around your home. You should be safe with some of the chores. However, there are some chores you need to ask someone else to help you with or consider hiring temporary help.

Cat Litter Boxes

You love your cat, but it carries a parasite (toxoplasma gondii). A feline's diet consists of a lot of raw meat, including birds, rodents, and fish. This parasite can be passed through contact with the cat's stool. This may lead to major problems with the pregnancy, including an increased risk of miscarriage. You can still cuddle with your kitty, but try to get someone else to change the litter box. If no one is available, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. You should also wear a mask over your face and nose.

Painting                  

You have decided the nursery needs a new coat of paint. You pick the color and get someone else to do the job. Don't go in the room for about 2 or 3 days, and air it out well before you come back to decorate your new space. Paint fumes can be extremely harmful to both you and the baby.

Harsh Cleaning Chemicals 

Noxious fumes from products such as bleach, oven cleaner, and mosquito spray should be avoided. If you must tackle jobs requiring these products; use gloves or seek other alternatives. You can use household items such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemons as a natural cleanser.

Bug Sprays

Bug spray should be avoided because the effect of pesticides and chemicals during pregnancy is unclear. It is much safer to stay away from all pest control items, including ant and roach spray. Be safe and ask someone else to do the task. If you have an ant problems sprinkle ground cinnamon, dry mint, or cloves to keep them away.

Vacuuming

This is another tiring chore that would be best avoided. The dust, spores, and hair circulating in the filter may irritate your eyes and lungs.

Lifting Heavy Objects 

Call someone to aid you if you have large grocery/shopping bags or want to move furniture around. The bending and squatting is not good and too much heavy lifting could cause preterm labor.

Being pregnant does not mean you have to let your home turn into a pig pen. It just means your spouse, significant other, children, or friends will need to step up and help you with chores that are not safe for you to perform on your own. As important as cleaning is, the health of you and your baby should be viewed as more important. To find out more, speak with someone like Mile High OB GYN.