Help your spouse steer
clear of these pregnancy no-nos to help keep her and the baby safe and healthy:

• Avoid fish with lots of
  mercury in her diet. Get correct information from your dietician on what
  fish to eat and what fish to avoid when she is pregnant.
• Don't disregard food borne
  illness.
  Eat, cook, handle and clean food safely! According to the U.S. Department
  of Health&Human Services, food borne illness can cause serious
  health problems - or even death for both mother and baby.
• Protect her from using
  chemicals.
  Products including herbicides, pesticides, paint, stains, and some
  cleaning solutions may be harmful to your baby. If she must use these
  things, make sure she wears gloves, a mask, and keeps the room
  well-ventilated.
• Don't let her clean or change
  a cat's litter box. This could put her 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 let her take very hot
  baths, hot tubs, or saunas. According to the U.S. Department of Health &
  Human Services, high temperatures can be harmful to the fetus, or causing
  the mother-to-be to faint.
• Discourage her from using
  scented feminine hygiene products. Pregnant women should avoid scented sprays,
  sanitary napkins, and bubble bath. These products might irritate your
  spouse’s vaginal area, and increase her risk of a urinary tract infection
  or yeast infection.
• Don't let her douche. According to the U.S.
  Department of Health & Human Services, douching can irritate the
  vagina, force air into the birth canal and increase the increase the risk
  of infection
• Avoid optional x-rays. X-rays are a form of
  radiation that is linked to a very small risk of cancer for an unborn
  baby. But x-rays are usually safe during pregnancy. So if your doctor says
  your spouse needs x-rays for a health problem you should follow her
  advice. But sometimes doctors can use other tests in place of x-rays. And
  other times, x-rays can wait until after the baby is born.
• Don't let her smoke tobacco. Tell your doctor if your
  spouse smokes. Quitting is hard, but she can do it. 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).
• Discourage her from drinking
  alcohol.
  Your spouse should stop drinking alcohol if she drinks it regularly.
  Experts are still unsure of the exact amount of alcohol needed to cause
  problems in your baby. But, both drinking every day and drinking a lot of
  alcohol once in a while during pregnancy can harm the baby.
• Don't let her use illegal
  drugs.
  Tell your doctor if your spouse is using drugs. Marijuana, cocaine,
  heroin, speed (amphetamines), barbiturates, and LSD are very dangerous for
  your spouse and the baby.

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