WHAT KIND OF SEAFOOD SHOULD I AVOID?

Pregnant women should avoid fish that contain high levels of mercury, because mercury is a heavy metal that is toxic to the mother's nervous system, immune system and kidneys, and can cause developmental problems in children. The fish that contain the most amount of mercury are:

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• shark

• swordfish

• king mackerel

• tuna (especially bigeye tuna)

• marlin

• tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico

• orange roughy

Raw fish should also be avoided because they increase the risk of ​of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. The degree of severity varies depending on the infection, so it is best to avoid raw fish overall. Eating raw fish can lead to developmental problems in the fetus, as well as preterm labor, stillbirth and miscarriage.