--- title: "Do's and Don'ts During Pregnancy at Sutter Health" description: "Pregnancy Do's and Don'ts" url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/dos-donts" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Health and wellness](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health) / 3. Dos Donts # Do's and Don'ts During Pregnancy Read these tips for safety when you're expecting. * * * September 8, 2025Medically reviewed by [Carrie C. Yiakis, M.D.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-carrie-c-yiakis-1046233432) It's normal to have a lot of questions about what you should and shouldn't do during [pregnancy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/pregnancy-and-childbirth). Review our advice and contact your doctor if you have any questions. ## Do - Adjust your car seat and steering wheel to accommodate your changing shape - Be aware that your center of gravity and balance point is changing - Bend your knees (squat) to pick things up from the floor or low places - Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water - Limit caffeine intake and cut out alcohol and tobacco - Place one foot on a low step stool if you're standing for a long period of time - Sit or stand with your shoulders and back relaxed - Sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs - Take off rings if they get too tight on your fingers - Use a desk chair that fits you comfortably and supports your lower back - Use a step stool to reach high shelves - Wash your hands thoroughly when handling uncooked meat - When sitting, keep your feet flat on the floor ## Don't - Clean kitty's litter box, or do garden work without wearing gloves - Fully immerse yourself in a Jacuzzi or hot tub over 99°F - Hold your breath while lifting or lift heavy loads. Check with your healthcare provider regarding exact weight limitations. - Hunch over your desk - Sit for periods longer than 30-60 minutes without taking a stretch break - Sit with your knees crossed - Strain during a bowel movement One thing to always keep in mind: Don’t overexert yourself! If you become too tired or a little short of breath, listen to your body and rest. [Call your care team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online) if you have questions about a particular activity. We’re here to help!  ## Explore related topics [Pregnancy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Pregnancy%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness)[First Trimester](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22First+Trimester%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness) ## Support at Every Step From conception to delivery, our [pregnancy and childbirth](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/pregnancy-and-childbirth) providers put you first. [Book an Appointment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_providerSpecialties.specialty.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Infertility%22%2C%22Nurse+Midwife%22%2C%22Obstetrics+and+Gynecology%22%2C%22Reproductive+Endocrinology%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals) ## Meet our care team ![Carrie C. Yiakis, M.D.](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/GYp7jSrCOf82lVHju3PkcCDSIlQibu4M32TkVOMEN1M/480x480.jpg) [Carrie C. Yiakis, M.D.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-carrie-c-yiakis-1046233432) Obstetrics and Gynecology ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","name":"Do's and Don'ts During Pregnancy at Sutter Health","description":"Pregnancy Do's and Don'ts","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/dos-donts","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/dos-donts#breadcrumblist"}} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","headline":"Do's and Don'ts During Pregnancy","alternativeHeadline":"Do's and Don'ts During Pregnancy at Sutter Health","description":"Pregnancy Do's and Don'ts","datePublished":"2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-23T16:02:03Z","publisher":{"@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/health-topics/pregnancy/pregnant-woman-reading-tablet-600x300.jpg?h=300&iar=0&w=600","width":"600","height":"300","caption":"pregnant woman reading tablet"},"@type":"MedicalWebPage","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/dos-donts#breadcrumblist"},"reviewedBy":[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Person","name":"Carrie C. 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