During pregnancy, exposure to toxins and chemicals can be harmful to both mother and baby, increasing the risk of congenital disorders and other health problems.
Eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can build up your defenses against common pregnancy hazards. However, it is also important to take precautions to minimize exposure to toxins to the best of your ability. Here are 10 toxins to avoid during pregnancy.
10 toxins to avoid during pregnancy
- Pesticides and herbicides: Some pesticides and herbicides used in the home and for professional pest treatments are known to affect organ development in newborns. It is best to avoid them as much as possible and ask a licensed pest control professional to do the treatment.
- Cleaning products: Some household chemicals have been reported to cause wheezing in early childhood. Pregnant women are advised to wear gloves and avoid breathing in fumes from products such as oven cleaners and tile cleaners.
- Mosquito repellent: While most mosquito repellents are usually safe to use, a small amount of chemicals such as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide or picaridin can penetrate the skin. Therefore, it is best to exercise caution with mosquito repellents, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. Select a mosquito repellent with a low concentration of the chemical and find other ways to avoid mosquitos, such as fly screens.
- Mercury: Exposure to high levels of mercury during pregnancy can increase the risk of brain damage and lead to hearing and vision problems in a developing infant. During pregnancy, you should limit your consumption of fish containing mercury, such as shark (flake), broadbill, marlin, and swordfish.
- Nail polish: Nail polish, some cosmetics, and hair-straightening products contain formaldehyde. While the amount of the chemical in nail polish is usually very small and can be broken down quickly by the body, the adverse effects on a baby cannot be ruled out. Use nail polishes that do not have formaldehyde.
- Paint and lead-based products: High levels of lead can lead to premature birth, low birth weight, or even miscarriage or stillbirth. It is therefore important to be cautious and limit exposure to lead as much as possible.
- Flame retardants: Flame retardants are chemicals used to make furniture items less flammable and have been associated with learning disabilities in children. Therefore, to avoid its exposure, clean your hands frequently, switch to a vacuum fitted with a high-efficiency particulate absorbing filter, and mop the floor regularly.
- Asbestos: Asbestos is linked to several lung diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, although the effect of asbestos on pregnancy or congenital disorder is not unclear. To be safe, it is best to avoid contact with asbestos or suspected sources of asbestos during pregnancy.
- Bisphenol A (BPA): The chemical BPA is present in most plastics and has the potential to pass from mother to baby in the womb. Some studies have suggested that BPA exposure can cause brain and behavior problems in some children. The chemical has also been linked to hormonal disruptions in both mother and child.
- Mothballs (naphthalene): The chemical naphthalene in mothballs has been known to cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Serious health problems have been reported in small children who put mothballs in their mouth. Avoid using mothballs around young children and confirm that they are stored safely.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medically Reviewed on 5/3/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Image
https://www.psr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/prenatal-exposure-to-chemicals.pdf
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pregnancy-precautions.html
https://www.psr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/prenatal-exposure-to-chemicals.pdf
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pregnancy-precautions.html
Complete List
Top What Toxins Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy Related Articles
Food and Health: Common Foods That Can Be Toxic
Could a common food poison you? Find out which foods may be home to hidden toxins.
How Do I Know If My Fish Is Contaminated by Ciguatera Toxin?
Since ciguatoxin is odorless and tasteless, as well as harmless to fish, it is not possible to know if a particular fish is contaminated by ciguatera food poisoning.
Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are recommended by most doctors prior to getting pregnant, throughout your pregnancy, and after you have your baby. The developing embryo and fetus need extra vitamins for healthy development. Prenatal vitamins contain iron, calcium and vitamin D, folic acid (to prevent birth defects), zinc, iodine, and vitamin A. Some prenatal multivitamins also contain other minerals and supplements like vitamin B 12 and omega-3 fatty acids.
What Are the Dos and Don'ts During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy?
2nd trimester pregnancy - Learn what you should and shouldn't do during the second trimester of pregnancy to protect you and your baby's health. Prenatal vitamins, exercise, sleep, no alcohol or smoking and more.
Smoking During Pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, premature birth and more. Secondhand smoke also increases your baby's risk of developing lung cancer, heart diseases, emphysema, asthma, allergies and SIDS.
Stages of Pregnancy: Week by Week
See pictures on the various stages of pregnancy. See and learn what changes a woman's body goes through and view fetal images of how her baby grows during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
Pregnancy: 7 Common Third Trimester Tests
Testing is often recommended during the third trimester of pregnancy. These tests are designed to ensure the health and safety of both the child and mother. Common tests during the third trimester of a woman's pregnancy include:- group B streptococcus screening,
- electronic fetal heart monitoring,
- nonstress test,
- contraction stress test, and
- a biophysical profile.
What Are the 3 Prenatal Tests?
Prenatal tests are medical procedures performed during pregnancy to assess the health and development of the fetus and to help identify any potential problems or abnormalities. The three most common prenatal tests include ultrasound, amniocentesis, and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Other prenatal tests include pregnancy test, first trimester screening, second trimester screening, noninvasive prenatal testing, fetal ultrasound, genetic counseling, biophysical profile, Group B streptococcus (GBS) test, glucose tolerance test, anomaly scan, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test.
What Can I Take for a Cough While Pregnant?
Seasonal flu, colds, and allergies are common ailments affecting most people all round the year. You must always be cautious of any medication that you take. This is especially true in pregnancy and during breastfeeding, given the effects these drugs may have on the unborn or breastfed child.
Pregnant? Don't Eat This
Do you know which common foods may be risky during pregnancy? Learn which foods to avoid, while pregnant, such as queso dip, lunch meat, coffee and more.
What Toxins Can Be in Your Home?
Toxins are substances that can harm your health when you ingest (eat or drink), inhale, or come in contact with them. While toxins in the air outdoor pose a threat to our health, indoor toxins, such as the following seven, pose an even greater risk.