You want to do everything you can to protect your baby and that protection begins when the life first begins growing inside of you, not when the child is born nine months later. That being the case, it’s likely that as you get used to the idea of being pregnant, you’ll begin to question everyday practices that you never thought twice about before you got pregnant. From cleaning the toilet to getting your nails done, it’s easy to get wrapped up in worrying about whether or not you’re doing what’s best for your unborn child. Here are some things that you may want to avoid, and others that you may have thought you needed to avoid that aren’t actually as bad as you believed.
Keep your baby safe while cleaning and remodeling
Hopefully the father of the child will take it upon himself to help you with household chores during your pregnancy, but if he’s reluctant to do so here is some information that will sway the argument in your favor. Turning a room into a nursery is a lot of work but it’s also a bonding experience between yourself, your unborn child and the father. While you should knock yourself out as far as designing and most aspects of decorating, it’s best to leave the painting to someone else. The fumes from the paint itself and paint thinner are quite noxious and largely untested with regard to their effects on pregnant women.
Don’t hesitate to ask your partner to pitch in around the house a little more during your pregnancy. Even mild smells can bring on nausea, and you’re going to be more tired than your non-pregnant self as your body channels that energy into the baby you’re going to give birth to.
Keeping it natural
Oven and window cleaning agents also emit fumes that are potentially harmful, so while you’re pregnant, keep the windows open while using these products and wear gloves for extra protection. You can also switch to all natural cleaning products for the duration of your pregnancy to avoid harsh chemicals. Going natural can also save you some money, as there are a number of do-it-yourself products you can mix up in your own kitchen.
Take a well-washed empty spray bottle and fill it with equal parts white vinegar and water to create a non-toxic all purpose cleaner that can be used on countertops, tile and more. To remove hard water stains in the shower and bath tub, soak a cloth in white vinegar and wipe down the area you plan on cleaning. Make sure you wear a pair of gloves to keep the smell from soaking into your skin. Next, douse the area with a hefty amount of baking soda, and then scrub the stains off with the cloth soaked in vinegar.
Pesticides are also a concern, so be sure to thoroughly wash any produce you eat. If you use pesticides to maintain your lawn or garden, consider discontinuing use while pregnant.
Staying safe while you treat yourself
Pregnancy can leave a lady feeling less sexy than her usual self, so you may be loathe to forego your normal beauty regimen, but you don’t have to do so entirely. Manicures are still an option while you’re pregnant, but be sure to keep a window open to let the fumes out.
When it comes to coloring your hair, you may want to avoid it while pregnant. The chemicals can penetrate the scalp and get into your bloodstream and the potential effect on the fetus is not known, but it’s not worth the risk, especially during your first trimester when the organs of the child are just starting to develop. Highlights are a safer option, as chemical contact with the scalp is limited. There are also natural options for coloring your hair such as vegetable based henna hair dye. If you color your hair on your own, wear gloves and keep a window open to increase ventilation.
If you have questions about your first prenatal OB visits, or just need a reminder checklist of important questions to ask, download our free Guide to Prenatal OB visits. Just click below.
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