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Step 1
MERCURY. The major source of mercury contamination you will probably be exposed to is from consuming fish. While eating fish is actually good for your developing baby, you should take the following precautions: -Limit fish consumption to 12 ounces (2 meals) per week. -Stay away from fish containing high levels of mercury (refer to link below). -Limit consumption of hunted game that eat fish. -If you plan to eat fresh caught fish, generally the smaller the fish the safer. -Limit your caught fish consumed to 6 ounces per week -Check to see if your state has a fish consumption advisory for the lake where the fish was caught. Other precautions: -Don't get vaccinations with Thermasil, which contains mercury. -Get composite instead of mercury- containing silver fillings.
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Step 2
RADIATION. Avoid medical or dental X-rays. Keep your house well ventilated (radon). The radiation exposure from flying in airplanes while pregnant is not considered dangerous, but for other reasons the American College of Obstetricians recommends not flying after your 36th week.
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Step 3
LEAD. If your house or apartment building was built before 1978, it likely contains lead paint. If there is also cracked or peeling paint, there is even more cause for concern. -Have your blood level checked by your doctor. -Have a lead risk assessment done on your house. -Let your tap water run for at least 30 seconds before using it for drinking or cooking.
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Step 4
PESTICIDES. Many pesticides are classified as endocrine disruptors and teratogens, potentially risking developmental effects. -Avoid any use of pesticides at home during your pregnancy. This includes lawn pesticides (sometimes combined with fertilizer), insecticides,and rodent poisons.
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Step 5
FOODBORNE ILLNESSES. This includes listeriosis and e-coli. Pregant women are 20 times more likely than other adults to get listeriosis. Make sure any meat you eat is well done. -Avoid the following foods: smoked refrigerated seafood, refrigerated pates or meat spreads, soft cheeses from unpasturized milk,lunch meats and deli meats.
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Step 6
MOLD. Mold exposure while pregnant may be linked to birth defects, SIDS, and asthma in your child. -Avoid any rooms or areas where mold is found. -If it is present in your house, have a specialist address the issue as soon as possible.
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Step 7
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS. -Avoid oil paints or latex paints unless they are labeled as no-VOC products while you are pregnant. -Wait to install any new carpeting. -Avoid use of perfumes, air fresheners and cosmetics. -Avoid products with stain repellants and flame retardants. -Avoid drycleaning clothes. -Avoid paint stripper products.
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Step 8
map of high nitrate areas in the USNITRATES. If you drink well water or live in an agricultural area, your water could be high in nitrates. High levels can cause blue baby syndrome. -Avoid well water. -Check with your city's water supplier to find out its nitrate level from its last annual test. -Avoid hot dogs, ham, bacon and lunch meats. -If you have a private well, have it tested for nitrates. -If your home water supply is high in nitrates, do not use it for baby formula.
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Step 9
INSECT CARRYING DISEASE. -Avoid potential disease carrying mosquitos (encephalitis) and ticks (Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, encephylitis) by staying away from wooded or undeveloped areas and outdoor areas with standing water.
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Step 10
TOBBACCO, DRUGS, CAFFEINE & ALCOHOL. -Don't take ANY drugs, including prescription as well as over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements without first checking with your doctor. -Avoid cigarettes,coffee, caffeinated beverages and alcoholic beverages.
