Go to a hospital right away and contact your doctor/midwife if you have any of these symptoms! Adapted with permission from: Your environment - home & workEnvironmental concerns when pregnant | Working through your pregnancy | Environmental concerns when pregnantExposure to certain substances in the environment when you are pregnant may affect your pregnancy or the health of your baby. Toxic substances increase the risk for birth defects, low birth weight, prematurity and miscarriage. It's important for you to be aware of the things you come in contact with in your environment that may affect you or your pregnancy. Harmful substances can enter your body if you breathe, touch or swallow them. Toxic SubstancesSome chemicals can circulate in the mother's blood, pass through the placenta, and reach the developing fetus. Other harmful agents can affect the overall health of the woman and reduce the delivery of nutrients to the baby.
X-RaysAvoid having medical and dental x-rays or CT scans while you are pregnant. Radiation can pass directly through the mother's body and harm the baby. Make sure to let your health-care provider know that you are pregnant to prevent unnecessary x-rays during pregnancy. Hot TubsWhen you are pregnant, extreme heat can make your body temperature too high. If your body temperature is elevated for a prolonged period, it can cause birth defects in the baby. Be safe. Avoid hot tubs and saunas. Bisphenol A (BPA)Pregnant women should take steps to minimize their exposure to all chemicals. If possible, avoid eating and drinking from tableware or bottles made of polycarbonate plastic. Follow Canada's Food Guide and eat a variety of food. Fresh or frozen foods are preferable to canned foods, if possible. Use glass dishes for microwaving foods. Never microwave polycarbonate plastic dishes. For more information: Region of Peel - Public Health Caledon residents call free of charge at 905-584-2216 Pesticides and Pregnancy Revised: Monday August 12 2019 |
Potential hazards and pollutants may lurk around almost every corner – they may be in a child’s toy, in the air, in the water and food they eat, or in everyday household items.
But armed with information, pregnant women and parents can take steps to limit their children’s exposure to environmental hazards and give them a healthy start in life.
Two leading experts in the field of children’s environmental health separated reality from the myth about health hazards in every day life.
Frederica P. Perera, DrPH, director of the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health and Maida P. Galvez, MD, MPH, FAAP, director of the Mount Sinai Region 2 Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) presented the latest research on long-term health consequences of exposure to plastics, air pollution, lead and pesticides.
“We have learned a lot in recent years about what we can do to protect babies from environmental hazards and there are steps parents can take to lower their children’s exposure to pollutants,” said Dr. Diane Ashton, March of Dimes deputy medical director.
The March of Dimes urges pregnant women avoid known hazards, such as:
- Cigarette smoke, including secondhand smoke by quitting smoking and asking people not to smoke around them.
- Chemicals with strong smells, like turpentine, paint thinner or paint by wearing gloves or a face mask.
- Insecticides and pesticides, such as bug spray and weed killer.
- Plastics with the number 3, 6 or 7 on the bottom which means that they are made with phthalates, polystyrene foam or bisphenol A, which may have a harmful affect on children’s development.
- Let your health care provider or dentist know if you are pregnant before getting an X-ray.
For more information visit Your baby's environment page on marchofdimes.org.