- Avoid alcohol at any time during pregnancy.
There is no known safe time or amount of alcohol to use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities. These disabilities are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
- Avoid smoking cigarettes.
The dangers of smoking during pregnancy include preterm birth, certain birth defects such as cleft lip or palate, and infant death. Quitting smoking before getting pregnant is best.
- Avoid marijuana and other "street drugs".
A woman who uses marijuana or other drugs during pregnancy can have a baby who is born preterm, of low birth weight, or has other health problems such as birth defects.
Some infections that a woman can get during pregnancy can be harmful to the developing baby and can even cause birth defects. Some easy steps to prevent infections include frequent hand-washing, cooking meat until its well done, and staying away from people who have an infection.