When pregnant, one may experience a worrying amount of anxiety about how to stay looking their best and feeling great. Luckily, there are many things that one can do so that they themselves and the growing baby remain in good health. Here are some expert tips on things you can do today.
Many people say that security starts at home, but when it comes down to pregnancy, this saying should also be observed. While the comfort of your own home is a place where you can relax in peace and quiet, there are many concerns about the safety of an unborn child when chemicals are involved.
Take the time to learn more about chemical safety and how you can minimize your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Avoiding harmful chemicals at home is not just good for pregnancy, but also safe for all ages! There are some household hazards that you may come across every now and again, like pesticides or paint fumes, but there are ways to protect yourself and your family while staying safe around chemicals.
Let’s discuss some everyday household items that you may not expect to cause hazards to your baby and the mother during pregnancy.
Cosmetics and toiletries. During your pregnancy, you will undoubtedly feel horribly ugly, and the only way to wash that feeling away is by using cosmetics. However, makeup and other toiletries can be hazardous while pregnant. The chemicals they contain such as parabens and phthalates can cause premature birth. Such products also cause sperm damage. Additionally, you may experience allergies if you use these products.
Paints. Many modern homes with latex paints contain harmful chemicals like mercury, which are known to bring about health problems for the mother, her unborn child and even their future children down the line. Besides, previously applied coats of old paints often require sanding before re-painting can be done effectively, which releases dust particles into the air that could cause potentially serious complications in one’s health.
Cleaning items. Triclosan, alkylphenol ethoxylates, volatile organic compounds (VOC), can affect a pregnant woman’s ability to bear healthy offspring. Products tainted with these chemicals may cause neurological problems, retarded growth and developmental problems in their babies. Xylenes and Tuolene are two examples of VOCs. Alkylphenol ethoxylates are know as endocrine disruptors which can interfere with human hormone function. These substances may be found in baby shampoos, anti-dandruff shampoo, hair colorants and skin care products among other things.
Mercury exposure. Mercury exposure is detrimental to a pregnant woman’s health and development. Broken light bulbs, worn out batteries and latex paints can be potential sources of mercury exposure in the household. As well as eating certain types of fish such as King Mackerel or Tuna which could be contaminated with high levels of mercury due to their location or natural habitat.
If you are healthy before getting pregnant, you will most likely stay healthy throughout your pregnancy. However, it’s not uncommon to feel tired, nauseous and anxious early on during pregnancy. To continue looking and feeling your best, be sure to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about the steps in routine health maintenance that could be helpful during pregnancy.
