A lot of people know that there are many things that pregnant women should avoid and this goes without saying. However, there are also a number of things that pregnant women are exposed to every day that could harm their developing baby. Pregnant women are told to avoid alcohol, smoking cigarettes, doing drugs and other unhealthy lifestyle choices but they are not often told about things like hidden ingredients in foods they should avoid. While it is true that just about everything can be harmful in large amounts, there are some things that pregnant women should avoid no matter what. Some of the following things could be harmful to pregnant women and developing fetuses.
Monosodium Glutamate
Monosodium glutamate, also called MSG has been a topic of controversy surrounding the effects on developing fetuses for many years. There has been some research which has shown that MSG, when consumed in large amounts could actually penetrate the placental barrier and cause developmental brain damage in the fetus. Unfortunately, because no study has been 100% conclusive as to what the actual risk is to pregnant women, the FDA has not put out any sort of official warning about this substance. MSG is found in many different foods such as potato chips, Chinese food and in many other foods as a flavor enhancer. Not only is there a certain risk of brain damage to an unborn fetus involved in the consumption of MSG but there are also many people who have a sensitivity to this food additive. When you are pregnant, it is always better to err on the side of caution. Read labels before you eat or drink anything and you may want to try and avoid foods which contain MSG.
Pesticides on Fruits and Vegetables
Everyone is told to make sure that they wash fruits and vegetables well before eating them. This is because fruits and vegetables can be covered in a variety of pesticides that were used during the growing process. Recent studies have shown that pesticides are even more dangerous in infants and fetuses as their bodies are just not capable of detoxifying themselves from these hazardous chemicals. Pregnant women should try to focus on buying fruits and vegetables that are marked organic or pesticide free. If that choice is not available, it is very important to make sure that you peel all fruits and vegetables before eating them as most of the build up of chemicals will be on the skin. Pregnant women do need a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables in order to provide their baby with the proper nutrition but the pesticide their babies can surely do without.
Emotional Stress
Many people do not realize just how detrimental extreme stress can lead to a developing fetus. When a person becomes overwhelmed with stress, the first thing that will happen is that a hormone which is called cortisol will be released into their body. Studies have shown that developing fetuses that had exposure to high levels of cortisol while in the womb may develop blood pressure problems later in life. In addition, the same studies on stress and the way it relates to a developing fetus have shown that children, who were born to mothers who suffered from high stress and were emotionally distraught during pregnancy, had a tendency to develop emotional problems. Some of these children went on to develop severe mental problems, chemical dependency, personality disorders and issues with their temper. It is very important that a pregnant woman focus on staying calm and as stress free as possible during her entire pregnancy.
Toxoplasmosis
For years pregnant women have been told that they can catch a condition called toxoplasmosis from cats. However, new studies show that cats are not the only culprits when it comes to catching this very dangerous disease. It is possible to come in contact with the disease of toxoplasmosis just from eating meat which is undercooked. Pregnant women seem to be most at risk because it is possible to transfer this disease to their unborn fetus, thereby causing an in utero infection which could lead to a variety of birth defects as well as miscarriage. If you are pregnant, you will need to do much more than stay away from the cat litter box in order to avoid possibly being exposed to toxoplasmosis. It is very important that you make sure all meat is cooked well before eating it as well.
Air Fresheners
Another area of concern which has been brought to the public’s attention recently is that air fresheners may contain chemicals which are toxic and could damage a developing fetus. Recent studies have tested about 15 different brands of air fresheners and at least 12 of them tested positive for chemicals which have been known to cause reproductive issues, hormonal problems and a variety of other undesirable conditions in unborn fetuses. One of the things that seemed so alarming about this study is that of the 12 brands that tested positive, some of them were labeled all-natural. For this reason it is a very good idea to avoid use of any sort of air fresheners in any room that a pregnant woman will be present in.
The above are just some of the things that pregnant women should avoid at all costs. There are a variety of other undesirable substances and toxins that pregnant women should try to stay away from. Properly educating yourself on the different things that may harm your unborn fetus is the best way to be sure that you have the healthiest baby possible.
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