The majority of pregnant women worry about something harming their baby in utero. What should I stay away from? Is this safe for my baby? Here are a few answers to the frequent questions asked by moms around Kansas City.
Is it safe to…
- Smoke? As soon as a woman discovers she is pregnant, she should quit smoking. The risks to the fetus are preterm deliveries, miscarriages, low birth weight and poor lung function. Smoking cessation tips are available at www.LungUSA.org. A 2006 Surgeon General's Report concluded there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. According to the American Lung Association, “Do not allow smoking around your baby. Secondhand smoke is especially harmful to young children, particularly those whose lungs are still developing.”
- Paint? Jennifer O’Hara, pediatric nurse and pregnant mom, said her OB/GYN gave her “brochures that said not to paint, but I know many other women who paint every room in the house with Latex when they are in the nesting phase and they are okay.” However, it is recommended to avoid exposure to oil-based and lead paints. If you have someone else paint for you, keep the house well ventilated and don’t return until the air is clear.
- Refinish furniture? Just don’t do it. Ask someone else to tackle the project AND preferably not in your house! Almost every study and website tells you not to refinish furniture pregnant because of the noxious fumes of the stripping materials, stains and varnishes.
- Use cockroach or ant spray? Both are toxic and aren’t good for anyone to inhale directly. You should wait twice the amount of recommended time before entering your house after fumigation. Removing pests without sprays, by using traps or outdoor powders, is preferable.
- Use cleaning supplies? Proper ventilation is key. If you start to feel nauseous or light headed, or a headache starts, you need to leave the area and breathe in fresh air until you feel better. O’Hara says she was advised “to not to be in confined spaces with bleach. Also, it’s dangerous for anyone to be around bleach combined with ammonia.” Baking soda and vinegar can be healthy substitutes.
- Use insect repellent? If manufacturer guidelines are followed, insect repellents containing DEET are safe for pregnant women. Applying the pesticide to clothing rather than directly on your skin is recommended. Others suggest using Avon’s Skin-so-Soft lotion or citronella oil instead of DEET products. The longevity of these products is much shorter, so reapply frequently. Check with your provider on what’s recommended for you.
- Highlight your hair? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say hair dyes are “probably safe to use during pregnancy” since minimal dye is absorbed through the skin. However, some providers ask pregnant women not to use permanent hair color.
- Be on feet all day? As long as you are moving around, most women benefit from the exercise. If you are stationary, you might consider wearing compression hose or a maternity belt to support your back. Taking breaks to remove pressure off back and feet is beneficial. Jennifer O’Hara, Kansas City, MO pregnant mother and RN says, “Working all day on my feet in a good pair of shoes makes a difference. I went shopping for a few hours in heels and was much worse than working a full shift.”
- Be around computers all day? There are not any conclusive pregnancy studies showing ill effects by working at a computer all day. Your risk again is back pain and blood clots from not stretching out your legs. Frequent walking breaks are therapeutic.
- Change the cat’s litter box? Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection found in some cat feces. Pregnant women shouldn’t change litter boxes and be cautious working in outdoor gardens where cats may have left “surprises.” Toxoplasmosis in pregnant moms can be passed onto fetus.
- Lift heavy items? It won’t hurt baby, but can hurt Mama since weakened tummy muscles don’t assist effectively in lifting. Wendy O’Connelly, Overland Park mother of two, said, “I avoided it (heavy lifting). I even implored strangers in parking lots to unload jumbo-sized dog food into my car trunk! During my second pregnancy, however, heavy lifting was unavoidable. I had a thirty pound toddler to tote around!” Check with your provider on what is best for your pregnancy.
- Drink caffeine? The American Pregnancy Association (APA) states, “Moderate levels of caffeine have not been found to have a negative effect on pregnancy. Avoiding caffeine is your safest course of action.” You should discuss amounts with your health care provider.
- Consume alcohol? “Alcohol crosses the placenta to your baby. When you drink alcohol, so does your baby. There is no safe amount of alcohol to consume while you are pregnant,” recommends the APA.
- Be in a hot tub? According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AGOG), becoming overheated in a hot tub is not recommended during pregnancy. The mother can pass out and overheating slows down uterine blood flow, stressing the baby.
If you are worried whether something will harm your baby, always weigh on the “better safe than sorry” side. So until someone invents a magic eight ball that gives you the correct answers, it’s up to you and your medical provider to decide what’s best for you and baby.
Stacey Hatton, RN is an Overland Park freelance writer and mother of two.