Toxins are things that can harm your unborn baby. They may be chemicals or fumes in your home. Or you may be around things in your community that can be harmful. Some foods and medicines may also be dangerous for your baby.
Some toxins could hurt your baby right away. Others are harmful if you or your child are around them for years.
The best way to keep you and your baby safe is to know what is dangerous. Then you can be careful to avoid those things as much as possible.
Some things that can harm a growing baby include:
Take care during pregnancy to protect your developing baby (fetus) from harmful chemicals.
Fumes from these substances can be harmful to a baby, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Use chemical-free cleaning alternatives while you're pregnant. If you must use chemical cleaners, wear gloves, ventilate the area, and avoid inhaling fumes.
Lead may be present in old paint, metal water pipes, and other substances. Lead can cause miscarriage. It can also be passed by a pregnant woman to her baby.
If you have concerns about lead exposure, talk to your doctor. A simple blood test can find out the amount of lead in your blood.
Do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, bigeye tuna, or tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico. They have high levels of mercury, which can harm your baby.
Limit some other types of fish, such as white (albacore) tuna to 4 oz (0.1 kg) a week.
There is not very much research about the use of products such as nail polish, artificial nails, hair dyes, and hair permanents during pregnancy. But they all contain strong chemicals.
It's a good idea to reduce your exposure to these chemicals. If you use them, be sure the room is well-ventilated.
During pregnancy, try to avoid unneeded X-rays. Many X-rays can be delayed until after pregnancy. But a single X-ray will not harm your fetus. If X-rays are needed, be sure to tell the technician that you are pregnant.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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