3 Things To Know About Chemical Exposure During Your Pregnancy

When you're pregnant, you tend to worry about a lot of things — what foods you put into your body, what vitamins you should take, and how much exercise you should do. However, what you may not have stopped to think about is the chemicals in your environment. Certain types of chemical exposure during pregnancy can have serious effects on you and your unborn child. Take a look at some of the things that you need to know about chemical exposure during your pregnancy.

Pesticides

No expectant parent wants to bring their newborn into a home with bugs, so if you live in an area that's prone to pest problems, you may want to prepare by calling exterminators or being especially zealous with DIY pest control products. However, it's important to be mindful of how pesticides can affect your unborn baby. For example, there is some evidence to suggest that certain types of pesticides are associated with preterm birth.

Luckily, there are many ways you can keep pests under control without resorting to dangerous chemicals. You can use natural pesticides like neem oil or diatomaceous earth yourself or use the services of an exterminator who specializes in non-toxic pest control. If you do find yourself in need of heavy-duty pesticides, make sure to limit your exposure by arranging to be out of the house during application and several hours following the application.

Solvents

Sure, you want to get the nursery ready for your new little one, but you may want to be careful when it comes to mixing paint and refinishing furniture. Organic solvents found in products like paint and turpentine have been linked to birth defects like spina bifida, deafness, club foot, and low birth weight.

While limited exposure is not likely to cause problems, overexposure to these solvents is thought to be what increases the risk of these birth defects. That means that pregnant people need to be careful not only about not overdoing it at home but also need to be aware of which chemicals are used in their workplace. A wide range of workers, including factory workers, veterinary technicians, and social workers, just to name a few, are exposed to solvents in the course of their work days.

Lead

The dangerous effects of lead exposure are well-documented and well-known, and the risks are especially high when it comes to unborn babies and small children. Unfortunately, many people think that lead exposure is largely a problem of the past. However, the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, which continued for several years even after becoming known to the public, shows that lead contamination is still a very real concern.

It's a good idea to find out what kind of water pipes your home has. Lead pipes or lead solder on copper pipes may be cause for concern. Brass faucets contain some lead as well, which can end up in your drinking water. You can have your state health department conduct a test for lead in your water if you have reason to be concerned.

Lead in the paint in your walls may also be a concern. Although lead paint has been out of use for several decades, it may still be on the interior walls of older homes under newer layers of paint. Pregnant women in older homes should steer clear of areas where paint is peeling and have someone else vacuum up paint chips. Sanding, scraping, and repainting of lead-painted walls should be done while you're out of the house.

It's important to talk to an obstetrician like Xiao-Mei Zeng MD about your environment at home and at work and about what sort of chemicals you may be exposed to in that environment. Your obstetrician can help you come up with a plan to limit any dangerous exposure to protect yourself and your unborn baby.