Your beautiful pregnant body is a temple, but it turns out it's more hole-y than holy. An adult human body contains approximately five million pores. Each one is a tiny gateway that allows chemicals, toxins, and other uninvited molecules into your body.
Your pores aren't the only way unsavory substances can enter your body. Everything you eat and breathe makes its way into the perfect ecosystem inside you. If you're worried about what you might be letting in, it's time to think about detoxing your home for pregnancy.
You have much more control over your future baby's health than you might think. We've created this list to share ten tips to help rid your living space of substances that can harm you or your sweet little one. Each one provides a hint of wisdom that can help you keep your home safe from toxins that can cause neurodevelopmental issues in children and can even help you protect the planet.
Read on to begin enjoying your detoxified home.
1. Clean Up Your Cleaning Products
Nearly all commercial cleaning products contain chemicals that have the potential to cause asthma and other breathing problems in children. Pregnancy is a great time to audit your cleaning products and make a change. Some of the safest products are also the most effective, and mixing them up at home can save you money.
Instead of brightly colored products, try baking soda and white vinegar. They may not be pine or lemon-scented, but they'll keep toxins out of your body, womb, and water supply.
Remember to read all labels to confirm claims about "green" or "all-natural" products. These terms aren't regulated, and those products may not be as safe as you think.
2. Place Plastics on the Blacklist
BPA and other chemicals are estrogenic and have the power to disrupt human hormones, which can be problematic for pregnant men and women. Even products labeled BPA-free reveal estrogenic properties upon testing. Researchers have found traces of plastic in cord blood and breast milk, suggesting these chemicals linger.
Now is an excellent time to switch to glass, invest in a home water filter, and invest in a high-quality reusable water bottle. They'll help keep the ocean healthy, so your little one can grow up in a more beautiful world.
3. Wave Farewell to Fragrances
You can name your favorite scent, but can you name the chemicals that cause that sensory experience? Unless you're using all-natural candles, lotions, and body sprays, you're likely exposing yourself to all manner of sneaky chemicals. These chemicals are highly allergenic and can even harm reproductive development in the womb.
Put your scented products away for now and try essential oils, natural beeswax candles, and all-natural fragrances.
4. Say Sweet Dreams to Your Mattress
When was the last time you thought about your mattress? The odds are good that you're slumbering on synthetic fibers and foams that break down to produce volatile compounds and chemicals often found in insecticides. Ironically, these substances disrupt sleep, making it difficult for your body to repair and refresh itself.
Switch to non-toxic or organic mattresses, pillows, and bedding. It will keep you and your baby safe and provide years of better, more restful sleep.
5. Put Away the PFAs
PFA stands for "Polyfluoroalkyl substances," which you can find in many common cooking utensils. These chemicals don't break down quickly, allowing them to remain in the air, water, and human bodies for thousands of years. Unfortunately, they also cause birth defects and can lead to preeclampsia.
To detox while pregnant, put away your favorite non-stick cookware and invest in cooking sprays instead. Try wooden or mineral-based utensils, too.
6. Evict Sneaky Pesticides
Chronic pesticide exposure leads to chronic illness, decreased cognitive function, behavioral issues, and even cancers. The biggest source of pesticides is in the food you eat. Choose organic foods, wash all produce with safe cleansers, and prioritize Non-GMO Verified proteins and dairy products.
You can also detox your home by choosing to forego pesticides when landscaping while pregnant.
7. Investigate Your Vitamins
Did you know that most vitamins and supplements, including prenatal vitamins and supplements, are not regulated by the FDA? When choosing these products, investigate the company's certificates of analysis. These are laboratory-produced documents that will disclose precisely what you're ingesting when you choose that product.
8. Skip the Cigarettes
This may be obvious to some moms-to-be, but it bears repeating that quitting smoking is one of the kindest things you can do for your unborn baby. Research suggests that mothers who quit three months before becoming pregnant have babies as healthy as those born to non-smokers. If you don't smoke, do all you can to avoid second-hand smoke exposure.
9. Inspect Your Skincare Routine
Taking care of your skin is important, but so is limiting your chemical exposure. Research suggests women with a skincare routine expose themselves to 163 chemicals every day, many of which disrupt hormones. Begin researching non-toxic skincare products so you can make small but significant changes to your daily beauty routine without harming your baby.
10. Turn Out the Florescent Lights
Florescent lights are everywhere, but they are toxic and contain mercury. Exposure to mercury in the womb can cause birth defects, which is why doctors recommend pregnant people avoid exposure through diet and environment. Make the switch to energy-efficient, mercury-free bulbs and save the planet while prioritizing your sweet baby's health.
Start Detoxing Your Home for Pregnancy
Everything you consume during pregnancy interacts with the cells and systems of your body. Your sweet baby needs that body to remain in top shape so they'll have a safe and supportive place to grow during their nine months in your womb. Detoxing your home for pregnancy is a compassionate way to make your environment and body as safe as possible for your precious little one.
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