Toxins
Now that you are pregnant, you may be worried about being exposed to toxins as you navigate through your day. Things that once seemed commonplace, like your cat's litter box, can now pose a real danger to your developing baby. All the warnings on the news and "helpful" advice about potential hazards from family and friends may have you wanting to get into a plastic bubble for the next 9 months, but what do you really need to be concerned about? Below you will find a helpful guide to keep you and your baby out of harm's way.
The first thing that all pregnant women should be aware of is certain substances that are proven to cause birth defects. These substances are called "teratogens". Drugs, chemicals, and infections are among the most common teratogens.
Known Teratogens
Alcohol
Cigarettes
Illicit drugs (i.e. cocaine, heroin)
Aspirin, Advil & Motrin (unless advised by your physician)
Lithium
Accutane
Organic Mercury
Tetracycline
Vitamin A
ACE inhibitors
Folic Acid antagonists
Syphilis
Toxoplasmosis
Rubella
Varicella
Mercury
It is also important to examine your diet. Babies born with high levels of mercury in their system are at risk for neurological and developmental problems. Mercury poisoning is most often caused by eating diets high in contaminated fish. Fish are an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy, but there are some precautions you should take to keep your baby safe.
The most recent guideline issued by the Food and Drug Administration recommends that pregnant women and nursing mothers eat no more than 6-12 ounces per week of canned "light" tuna and other cooked fish. Below you will find an easy-to-read list of other fish that are safe to eat in portions smaller than 12 ounces a week.
Safe
Salmon in all forms, except from the Great Lakes
Farmed trout
Sardines
Herrings
Pilchards
Flounder and sole
Farmed catfish, stripped bass, and tilapia
Cod
Haddock
Mahi mahi
Perch
Crab, shrimp, scallops, clams, oysters, mussels, crayfish
Fish at the top of the food chain accumulate high levels of mercury in their body because their food source, other smaller fish, contains mercury. Avoid these fish all together during pregnancy.
Avoid
Shark
Swordfish
King mackerel
Tilefish (golden or white snapper)
Tuna steak (fresh or frozen)
Spanish mackerel
Marlin
Grouper
Large and small mouth Bass
Walleye
Northern Pike
Lake Whitefish
Salmon from the Great Lakes
Bowfin
Gar
Toxic species such as puffer fish (fugu), blowfish and sea squab
Other Foods to Avoid
Deli Meats
Raw Meats (i.e. steak tartar)
Smoked Salmon
Soft Cheeses and Unpasteurized Milk
Raw Eggs
Unwashed Vegetables
Liver
Caffeine (more than 300 mg a day)
Teflon
Cooking with Teflon is safe as long as you use low temperatures and non-abrasive cooking utensils.
Plastic Wrap
Plastic wrap is safe to use, as long as you don't put it in the microwave!
Pesticides & Fertilizers
Organic produce has been championed for years as being the healthiest choice available. But, organic fruits and vegetables can be quite expensive and the levels of pesticides in conventionally grown produce are considered to be safe. It's more important that you make fruits and vegetables a regular part of your diet rather than avoiding them entirely because you can't afford to buy organic. Just remember to wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly to prevent ingesting Listeria, a bacteria known to cause complications during pregnancy.
Fertilizers used on your lawn do not pose a risk when they are used occasionally; however, prolonged exposure to fertilizer may cause a problem for women. Women who work in the agricultural field are particularly at risk.
Beauty Products
Most beauty products pose no risk if there is only moderate exposure. For example, it is ok to get your nails done while you are pregnant. Alphahydroxy, Glycolic acid, and lactic acid are also safe. Additionally, you can continue using sunscreen that contains the following ingredients:
Titanium dioxide
Zinc oxide
Avobenzone (Parsol 1789)
Oxybenzone
Dioxybenzone
Benzophenone
Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC)
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
Octocrylene
There are some products and ingredients that should be avoided:
Retiniods(Differin (adapelene)
Retin-A, Renova (tretinoin) Retinoic acid
Retinol
Retinyl linoleate
Retinyl palmitate
Tazorac and avage (Tazarotene)
Salicylic Acid
Beta hydroxy acid
BHA
Dry-Cleaning
Dry-cleaning your clothes is okay, but be sure your dry cleaner meets OSHA standards.
If you have any lingering questions or concerns about possible toxins, it is best to speak with your physician. They are not only trained to answer these questions, but they also have access to the latest information on the effects of toxins during pregnancy.
