Pregnant women often feel the urge to eat various things, however, controlling them for a few months and being extra careful with your diet can be beneficial not only for you but also for your baby.

Pregnancy is the most special time in a woman’s life when everyone is extremely careful with the mom-to-be, especially when it comes to what she eats.

First of all, all kinds of packaged and adulterated foods should be avoided during pregnancy. This means that pregnant women have to pay close attention to the shelf life and freshness of foods.

However, besides these, there are others that pregnant women should avoid, not least because some so-called abortifacient foods can even trigger a probable miscarriage, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy, when the risk of miscarriage is higher.

Therefore, it is essential that pregnant women take care when incorporating some foods in their diet and avoid these abortifacient foods during pregnancy to avoid problems.

Although the importance of other factors like age, health of the pregnant woman, lifestyle and eating habits, cannot be disregarded, it is advisable for her to stay away from these foods, particularly during the early stages of pregnancy.

These foods can cause widening or opening of the cervix and internal contractions in a pregnant woman, putting her at risk of having a miscarriage.

Table of Contents of this article:

See now the 20 abortifacient foods that a pregnant woman should watch out for. But remembering that usually the risk is higher when consumed in large quantities.

1. Crabs

Although crabs are a rich source of calcium, they also contain high levels of cholesterol, which can cause the uterus to shrink, leading to internal bleeding and a possible miscarriage, so it may be a good idea not to eat crabs during pregnancy as they are considered an abortifacient food.

2. Caffeine

Ingesting too much caffeine during pregnancy has been linked to miscarriage and low birth weight of the baby. Caffeine is found in foods such as coffee, tea, chocolate, some soft drinks such as guarana and cola, and energy drinks such as Monster, Red Bull, and others.

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You should limit your caffeine intake to no more than 200 mg per day during pregnancy. A can of cola has around 40 mg of caffeine, a cup of tea around 75 mg, a chocolate bar has around 50 mg, a cup of instant coffee around 100 mg and a cup of filter coffee has around 140 mg.

With this, you can end up reaching (and exceeding) the recommended limit easily, such as consuming a mug of filter coffee and a chocolate bar or two mugs of tea and a can of cola soda. It is worth being careful.

3. Peach

Peaches, if consumed in large quantities during pregnancy, can produce excessive heat in the pregnant woman’s body, potentially leading to internal bleeding, resulting in miscarriage. Also, it is indicated that pregnant women should peel the fruit before consuming it, as the peel can cause burning and itching in the throat.

4. Fish and shellfish

Large fish may contain high levels of mercury, which is harmful to babies and young children. These foods can cause damage to the brain and nervous system and hence pregnant women are strictly advised to avoid eating these large fish like tuna, swordfish, shark, whale etc.

Canned tuna is said to contain lower mercury content, but it too can only be consumed in moderation. If you can’t stay without eating fish and seafood, opt for those that contain low amount of mercury, such as shrimp, salmon, tilapia, etc.

5. Alcoholic beverages

It is safer to avoid alcoholic drinks during pregnancy, especially in the first three months. If you choose to drink after that, the recommended intake is a maximum of one or two drinks, never more than once or twice a week.

This is because alcohol can harm you and your baby, and experts cannot say for sure how much alcohol is tolerated during pregnancy.

Parsley contains substances that stimulate the muscles of the uterus. Parsley is regularly used by women who want to abort naturally and therefore eat it raw or drink it as tea.

7. Papaya

Papaya, especially green papaya, is believed to cause miscarriage and is therefore on the list of abortifacient foods. The reason behind this is that green papaya contains an enzyme that can cause uterine contractions, leading to miscarriage.

8. Cinnamon

When a person ingests large amounts of cinnamon, which is a spice that stimulates uterine contractions, it induces premature labour or miscarriage.

Ingesting high doses of cinnamon can increase the heart rate and also impede the body’s ability to regulate its own temperature. In severe cases, it can cause allergic reactions that close the throat and cause the lungs to collapse.

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9. Unpasteurised milk and dairy products

Milk should be lightly boiled before consumption as boiling it will kill germs and prevent disease-causing microbes such as toxoplasmosis, campylobacter and listeriosis, which can be harmful to a baby’s growth. This also applies to goat’s milk and sheep’s milk.

Milk is definitely important during pregnancy, however it should be pasteurised so that it does not become one of the abortifacient foods.

10. Liver and other foods rich in vitamin A

Avoid liver products such as liver meat, pate and liver sausages. It is also not safe to take vitamin A supplements or fish liver oils, such as cod liver oil.

The pregnant woman should also avoid any food that has vitamin A added, such as those that say “fortified with vitamin A”. This is because a high amount of vitamin A can harm the baby.

11. Sprouted Potatoes

This food is not only dangerous for pregnant women, but also for all people. Potato, when sprouted, contains several toxins that are harmful to the health of mother and baby. In sprouted potatoes the substance solanine, a glycoalkaloid, is present, toxic, bitter tasting and this can be harmful for foetal growth.

Consuming too much ginger can have harmful effects on pregnancy and so before consuming it, it is important to talk to your doctor to find out the recommended daily amount. Ginger tea made from the dried root is also not advisable during pregnancy.

13. Sesame seeds

It is a good idea for pregnant women to stay away from sesame seeds during the early stages of pregnancy, as they stimulate the uterine muscle and can cause the fertilised egg to be expelled.

In the past, they were used as a medicine to cause abortion. During the later stages of pregnancy, women can consume black sesame seeds in moderation as it is believed that they may benefit childbirth.

14. Processed meat

Consuming processed meats such as sausages, pate, salami, pepperoni, mortadella and others is generally considered to be a dangerous thing, and this is because these meats can contain bacteria such as toxoplasma gondii, listeria and salmonella, which can cause food poisoning.

Pregnant women should avoid eating raw or undercooked meat because the bacteria present in the meat can pass to the baby, causing serious problems such as miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth.

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That is why it is essential to cook meat properly as well as heat it thoroughly before eating it.

15. Pineapple

Pineapple is a fruit that when consumed in small portions can be very good for pregnant women, however, because it contains bromelain, when eaten in large quantities, it can soften the cervix and initiate contractions in pregnant women, which can result in a miscarriage, which is why it is on the list of abortifacient foods.

16. Aloe vera

Pregnant women should not eat or drink anything that includes Aloe vera (or aloe, as it is also known). This plant can lead to pelvic bleeding which can cause a miscarriage. It is best to avoid all types of Aloe vera products during the first trimester of pregnancy.

17. Pâté

Avoid all types of pâté, including vegetable pâté, because they can contain listeria, which are bacteria that can cause an infection called listeriosis.

Listeriosis can harm the baby during pregnancy or cause serious illness in a newborn baby. As stated earlier, liver pate can also have high levels of vitamin A, which is harmful to the baby.

18. Aubergine (Eggplant)

Aubergine is a common and widely consumed food in Brazil. It is believed that it can be instrumental in treating premenstrual disorder and amenorrhoea, and so it is advisable not to consume it in large quantities during pregnancy. However, consuming it in small quantities from time to time should not pose a problem.

19. Some cheeses

Soft, mould-ripened (fungal) cheeses such as brie, camembert and the like, including goat’s cheese and “blue” cheeses such as gorgonzola and roquefort, should be avoided as there is a risk that these cheeses may contain listeria.

20. Raw or undercooked eggs

It is important that women eat only eggs that are fully cooked and that the yolks and whites are solid. This way, they are a safe food, but you should avoid foods that contain raw egg, such as homemade mayonnaise or mousse.

When consumed improperly, egg can be considered one of the abortifacient foods because there is a risk of salmonella being present, a common cause of food poisoning that can harm the foetus.

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Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is essential during pregnancy, and this means including foods from all groups so that mums-to-be can get the necessary vitamins and nutrients. Moderation is the most important point.

Anything eaten in excess can be harmful to pregnancy. It is advisable to consult your doctor whenever you feel the need so that you can maintain an ideal diet for you and your baby.