Things to avoid during pregnancy

There are some changes you should try to make in your daily life during pregnancy to support your health and your baby’s development.

Alcohol

There is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy or are already pregnant, not drinking is the safest option.

Alcohol can harm your unborn baby.

Smoking or vaping

Smoking or vaping is never safe during pregnancy.

Smoking during pregnancy exposes your baby to nicotine and other harmful chemicals. These can travel from you through the placenta, to your baby's body.

If you smoke or vape and are planning a pregnancy or are already pregnant, speak with your midwife or doctor about ways to quit.

Sports and activities to avoid while pregnant

Some sports and activities are not safe when you are pregnant. These include:

• activities where there is a risk of collision (crashing against something), tripping, falling or heavy body contact
• sports that require sudden or unsafe movements
• activities in unsafe environments, such as spas, hydrotherapy pools or hot conditions
• activities that involve heavy equipment, such as weightlifting and scuba diving

It is important to stay active and fit while you are pregnant. You do not need to avoid exercise during pregnancy. Staying active is safe for most people if you choose moderate, low-risk activities. Check with your doctor or midwife before exercising to make sure it is safe for you.

Food

Some foods are not safe during pregnancy because they may cause illness or harm your baby.

Learn more about the foods to avoid when you are pregnant.

If you are thinking about using a complementary therapy, talk to your doctor or midwife first. They can help you decide if it’s safe in pregnancy.

Massage therapy

Massage therapy is generally safe if it is done by a trained professional.

It may help reduce symptoms such as leg or back pain, as well as anxiety or depression.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is generally safe during pregnancy if it is done by a qualified professional. Tell your acupuncturist you are pregnant, as some acupuncture points are not safe to use during pregnancy.

Fake tans

You can use fake tan creams and lotions while you are pregnant. It is best to avoid spray tans.

Pregnancy changes your hormone levels and can make your skin more sensitive. It may help to test the product on a small area of skin first.

Read more about cosmetic procedures and beauty treatments during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Hair dye

It is very unlikely that hair dye will harm your baby. The chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dye are not well absorbed through your scalp. Hair dye is generally considered safe during pregnancy.

If you are concerned, you may choose to wait until after the first trimester. This way, your baby is less likely to be exposed to chemicals while their vital organs form.

If you colour your hair yourself, you can reduce exposure by:

• wearing gloves
• using a semi-permanent vegetable dye
• leaving the dye on for the minimum time
• rinsing your hair well at the end of the treatment

Pregnancy can affect your hair’s condition. For example, your hair may become thicker, thinner or react differently to colouring.

If you are a hairdresser, wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated room, for example, by opening windows and doors while you colour.

Saunas or hot tubs

Avoid saunas, hot tubs and heated spas during pregnancy. They can increase your risk of overheating (Opens in new tab), dehydration (Opens in new tab) and fainting (Opens in new tab). A significant rise in your temperature may affect your unborn baby.

You may feel warmer during pregnancy. This is due to hormonal changes and an increase in blood supply to your skin. Your body may also be less effective at lowering its temperature.

To avoid overheating, you can also try to:

• avoid staying in hot environments for long periods
• wear loose-fitting clothing
• stay hydrated (Opens in new tab)

Sunbeds

Sunbeds (solariums) give off ultraviolet (UV) radiation — the same type of harmful radiation found in sunlight. Using a sunbed increases your risk of skin cancer, including melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer).

Commercial solariums are illegal in Australia.

Your skin may be more sensitive during pregnancy, so it’s best to avoid using a sunbed.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a common infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). It is usually harmless and does not cause symptoms unless you are pregnant.

If you get toxoplasmosis for the first time while you are pregnant, there is a small risk of:

• miscarriage
• stillbirth
• birth differences — it can cause blindness and brain damage 

In Australia, pregnant women are not normally screened for toxoplasmosis. It is important that you know how to prevent infection.

You can avoid toxoplasmosis infection by:

• washing your hands (Opens in new tab) before handling food
• thoroughly washing all fruits or vegetables — including prepared salads
• thoroughly cooking raw meat
• wearing gloves when gardening
• avoiding contact with cat faeces (poo) in cat litter (Opens in new tab) or soil

Cleaning products

Check the labels of cleaning products for safety warnings during pregnancy. If you use cleaning products or any other household chemicals, follow the safety directions on the label.

Painting and decorating

The risk of fumes (dangerous gas or smoke) from modern household paints harming your baby is low.

Some paints — especially solvent-based paints — and old paintwork that may contain traces of lead can carry more risk.

It is not clear how much exposure is safe, so it’s best to be cautious. Avoid being around renovations that disturb lead-based paint.

If you are concerned about paint fumes, consider avoiding painting and decorating during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester.

To reduce possible risks if you’re painting:

• make sure the area is well ventilated by opening windows and doors
• wear protective clothing, such as long trousers, long-sleeved tops, gloves, a face mask and goggles
• do not eat or drink where you are decorating
• wash your hands when you are finished painting

Your doctor or obstetrician is the best person to advise you about whether a medical procedure is safe during pregnancy. They will consider both the risks and the benefits of any test or treatment. You can make this decision together — this is called shared decision-making.

It is important to tell all members of your healthcare team if you are pregnant or if you might be pregnant before starting any treatment or having a procedure.

X-rays

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, tell your doctor and the radiology practice (Opens in new tab) staff before having an x-ray.

You can discuss if the tests can be delayed or avoided until after your baby is born, and if there are other tests you can have instead. Your doctor may consider using another imaging method, such as an ultrasound scan (Opens in new tab) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Opens in new tab).

X-rays that do not directly involve your abdomen (tummy) will give a lower dose of radiation to your baby. Ask your healthcare team about the safety of any tests that directly expose your unborn baby or involve nuclear medicine (medicine that uses small amounts of radiation).

Read more about radiation exposure during pregnancy.

Dental x-rays

Your dentist may need to take dental x-rays to give you the best care. These x-rays can usually be taken during pregnancy. Make sure your dentist knows that you are pregnant.

Read the article on medicines during pregnancy.

The Royal Women’s Hospital has tips and advice on having a healthy pregnancy (Opens in new tab).

Every Moment Matters has resources available on alcohol in pregnancy (Opens in new tab).

Languages other than English

The National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder has information on alcohol in pregnancy available in many community languages. (Opens in new tab)

Call the Quitline Interpreter Service (Opens in new tab) — if you prefer a language other than English call 13 7848 and ask for an interpreter. They will call you back with an interpreter in your language.

Safer Baby has health resources for women, including help to quit smoking, available in many languages (Opens in new tab).

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Koori Maternity Service program (Opens in new tab) provides access to holistic, culturally safe maternity care for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Baby Coming You Ready (Opens in new tab) is a culturally safe support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander parents-to-be and new parents.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation has a Strong Born booklet (Opens in new tab) with information on quitting alcohol for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are pregnant.