Can I cook and stir-fry during the second trimester of pregnancy?

Generally, during the second trimester of pregnancy, if there are no obvious discomforts and the cooking environment is safe, it is acceptable to do light cooking. However, if there are pregnancy complications, significant fatigue, or the kitchen is stuffy and filled with heavy油烟 (cooking fumes), cooking is not recommended. If in doubt, consult a healthcare provider in advance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

If prenatal checkups during the second trimester show normal results, with no complications such as hypertension or anemia, and if energy levels are good, and the kitchen is well-ventilated with minimal油烟 (cooking fumes), simple cooking methods can be adopted. Each cooking session should be limited to within 30 minutes, avoiding prolonged standing. In such cases, moderate cooking is acceptable and may even provide beneficial physical activity.

If there are complications during the second trimester such as gestational diabetes or low-lying placenta, or if symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or backache occur frequently, the physical exertion and standing posture involved in cooking may increase bodily strain. Additionally, if the kitchen is small and poorly ventilated, preventing timely removal of cooking fumes, inhaling these fumes may irritate the respiratory tract and negatively affect maternal and fetal health. In these situations, cooking is not advised; adequate rest and reduced exposure to irritants are recommended instead.

When cooking during the second trimester, avoid handling extremely cold or hot items to prevent burns or catching a chill. If feeling tired, stop immediately and sit down to rest.