Author｜11
Source｜Medical World Obstetrics and Gynecology Channel
Pregnancy is a joyous yet nerve-wracking experience for many. The early stages of pregnancy are crucial for embryonic development and require utmost care. Many expectant mothers are understandably anxious, so remember to avoid the following factors! Of course, it's also important to learn to recognize any abnormalities and seek medical attention promptly to prevent any unforeseen complications!
Drug abuse
The critical period for embryonic heart development is from week 2 to week 8, that is, the first 3 months after conception are the critical period for fetal heart development. [1] Many drugs can affect fetal development outcomes.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration once classified drugs into five levels according to their harm to the fetus[2]:
Category A: Appropriate amounts of vitamin supplements pose the least risk to the fetus during the early and middle stages of pregnancy and are not teratogenic.
Category B: Penicillin-type drugs, when used under the supervision of a doctor, have shown no harm to the fetus except for allergic reactions;
Category C: Gentamicin, which has adverse effects on the fetus. Due to the lack of controlled clinical trials, it should only be used with caution after a thorough weighing of the benefits to the pregnant woman, the potential benefits to the fetus, and the risks to the fetus.
Category D: Streptomycin sulfate, clinically proven to be harmful to the fetus. Use should only be considered when the pregnant woman's life is threatened or she has a serious illness, and other medications cannot be used.
Category X: Diethylstilbestrol and methotrexate. Clinical studies, animal and human experiments have shown that they can cause fetal malformations. They are contraindicated during pregnancy or in women who may become pregnant.
Before 12 weeks of pregnancy, Category C, D, and X medications should not be used or are prohibited. Category A and B medications are generally considered safer and should be given priority.
Therefore, medication should be used with caution in early pregnancy and should be avoided as much as possible to prevent birth defects and miscarriage. Medication should also be used in mid and late pregnancy to avoid potential functional impairments. In obstetric clinical practice, the benefits and risks should be weighed and specific cases should be handled specifically. [2] Fear should not lead to ignoring the pregnant woman's illness. Diseases during pregnancy may also have adverse effects on the fetus, causing miscarriage or birth defects.
Smoking and drinking
In early pregnancy, the effects of nicotine and its metabolites in tobacco reduce the secretion of progesterone in pregnant women, thereby affecting the decidua of the endometrium and causing implantation problems or failure of the fertilized egg, leading to infertility.
The cyanide in tobacco leaves combines with thiocyanate in the human body, which can reduce the vitamin B12 content in pregnant women and affect fetal development and growth. [3] A retrospective cohort study by Woods et al. reported that cardiovascular abnormalities and maternal smoking were important links among 22 types of heart defects.
Loser et al. reported that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to various fetal heart malformations. Domestic studies by Wei Jin et al. showed that paternal alcohol consumption is also associated with fetal CHD. [2]
Because drinking alcohol and smoking expose the human body to low concentrations and long-term exposure, they are not easy to detect, but they can be stored for a long time[4].
Therefore, during pregnancy, especially before trying to conceive, one should quit smoking and drinking, and develop good lifestyle habits to prepare for the health of the child!
Exposure to harmful chemicals
Chinese epidemiological survey literature [5] shows that new home renovations are significantly associated with unexplained miscarriages in early pregnancy.
Studies by foreign scholars such as Yauck et al. [6] suggest that exposure to harmful chemical toxins in early pregnancy is a risk factor for congenital heart disease. These chemicals can be absorbed by the human body through the respiratory tract, skin and mucous membranes, etc., and accumulate over a long period of time, playing a role in the early development of the embryo and causing fetal malformations.
Modern embryological teratology theory suggests that a lack of essential nutrients in the mother before and during pregnancy makes it difficult for her to meet her nutritional needs, leading to disorders in the structure and function of various systems in the mother's body and loss of homeostatic regulation.
Therefore, pregnant women should strengthen their nutrition before and during pregnancy, make reasonable dietary arrangements, eat more fresh vegetables, fruits and meats, and supplement folic acid as early as possible to create a good intrauterine environment for fetal growth and development. [2] In addition, during the preparation for pregnancy, both husband and wife should start to quit smoking and drinking and actively carry out preconception health care.
Having a baby is not just a woman's responsibility; the health of the child requires the joint efforts of both husband and wife.
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