Steer clear of these pregnancy no-no’s to help keep you and your baby safe and healthy.

• Don’t eat fish with lots of mercury. Don’t eat swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, shark, raw or uncooked fish or shellfish (e.g., clams, oysters, scallops) or refrigerated uncooked smoked fish (labeled Nova-style, lox, kippered or jerky).

• Don’t disregard foodborne illness. Eat, cook, handle and clean food safely. Foodborne illness can cause serious health problems for both mother and baby.

• Don’t use chemicals. Products including herbicides, pesticides, paint, stains and some cleaning solutions may be harmful to your baby. If you must use these things, wear gloves, a mask and keep the room well-ventilated.

• Don’t clean or change a cat’s litter box. This could put you at risk for an infection called toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that cats can carry in their feces. Toxoplasmosis can harm a fetus.

• Don’t take extremely hot baths and avoid hot tubs or saunas. High temperatures can be harmful to the fetus, or cause you to faint.

• Don’t use scented feminine hygiene products. Pregnant women should avoid scented sprays, sanitary napkins and bubble bath. These products might irritate your vaginal area and increase your risk of a urinary tract infection or yeast infection.

• Don’t douche. Douching can irritate the vagina, force air into the birth canal and increase the risk of infection. Always ask your doctor before douching.

• Don’t have optional x-rays. X-rays are a form of radiation that is linked to a very small risk of cancer for an unborn baby. X-rays are usually safe during pregnancy. So, if your doctor says you need x-rays for a health problem you should follow his or her advice. Sometimes doctors can use other tests in place of x-rays. Other times, x-rays can wait until after the baby is born.

• Don’t smoke tobacco. Tell your doctor if you smoke. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor for help. Smoking during pregnancy passes nicotine and cancer-causing drugs to your baby. Smoke also keeps your baby from getting needed nourishment and raises the risk of stillbirth and premature birth (a small baby born too early).

• Don’t drink alcohol. Experts are still unsure of the exact amount of alcohol needed to cause problems in your baby. Drinking every day and drinking a lot of alcohol once in a while during pregnancy can harm the baby.

• Don’t use illegal drugs. Tell your doctor if you are using drugs. All illegal drugs are dangerous for you and your baby.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Dr. Andrea Dabney is an OB/GYN on the medical staff of CMH Regional Health System. Healthy Outlook, a periodic offering of CMH, includes information from several resources, including the writer’s professional experience. Check with your health care provider if you have specific questions about information contained in this article.