How Low Can You Go: Lowering Your Toxicity During Pregnancy

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

Everyone will tell you that having children is expensive. From the furnishing, formula, and need for increasing finances to facilitate a comfortable lifestyle for them as they grow, you can expect your expenditures to easily increase.

But, according to experts, pregnancy, in and of itself is a pricey proposition. At least if you want to have a healthy baby and a low-toxin pregnancy.

Lowering Your Toxicity During Pregnancy:

· Stay away from home renovations that disturb old lead-containing paint (specifically those painted prior to 1970)

· Reduce exposure to aluminum. Steer clear of aluminum pots or cookware and refrain from deodorants and antiperspirants containing aluminum.

· Take care of your teeth prior to pregnancy, all dental work included. And, be sure to replace any amalgam fillings with non-amalgam alternatives.

· Use plant-based paints with low fumes for decorating the nursery. Also avoid using solvents and fume-emitting adhesives. Better yet, hire a professional to spruce up the place, while you take care of your “delicate” situation.

· Avoid coloring your hair during pregnancy, Most hair-coloring products have health warning on them advising against use by expectant women.

· Opt for organic whenever and wherever you can. At very least experts suggest replacing “regular” broccoli and grapes with organic varieties, since these both generally high pesticide crops with large edible surface areas which increases the amount of pesticide residue you wind up ingesting.

· Limit your intake of tuna, and bottoms dwelling fish and shellfish.

· Look for free-range, organic meats, poultry, eggs and dairy. Note that non-organic varieties are often fed synthetic hormones and antibiotics to enhance growth and ward off diseases. However, exposure to synthetic hormones can confuse the development of the reproductive organs and antibiotics in the chicken and eggs can oppress both the mother’s and child’s immune systems.

· Replace “regular” cleaners and scrubs with green alternatives.

· Kick the habit and steer clear of smoky environments. Cigarette smoke is full of toxins that are especially dangerous to you and your unborn child. It is linked to low-birth weight and increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)