Last week the Great NEWS blog post covered the Perfect Health for Conceiving Parents A – Z guidelines and this week you will learn about creating Perfect Health for Pregnant Women. This is another segment of the Perfect Health Mastery series for creating happy and healthy families.

During pregnancy it is essential for women to focus on extra special precautions to insure their perfect health and that of the developing child. This Perfect Health for pregnant women provides important guidance and information for the entire family so that each person knows their role in encouraging and supporting a women going through a pregnancy.

Support for the Developing Baby

Pregnant TummyWith the additional emotional, mental and physical demands and stress of going through a pregnancy it is important for everyone around the mother to be extra aware and careful for the well being of the women and the developing child. This is the time for each family member and friend connected to the pregnant women to understand their duties and responsibilities. Each member of the family, extended family and even friends’ community has a valuable direct and indirect role to play. These guidelines are provided to help each person be a better resource and support person to assist and help contribute to a healthy pregnant woman and developing baby.

Most people are aware that the world has become quite industrialized, polluted and toxic. What most people do not seem to realize is how serious the situation has become with regards to the harmful impact of these changes to our short and long term well being. It is now estimated there are over 75,000 man made synthetic chemicals and compounds in our environment. Most of these are harmful and have many known and as yet unknown side effects and toxic impacts to our health and well being. When you factor in the potential for an almost infinite number of combinations of chemicals in our bodies at any one time, you begin to see the unlimited number of harmful consequences we might be facing.

Even medical doctors and pharmacists with all their experience and training are almost clueless when it comes to the almost infinite potential interactions of prescription and non prescription medicines. Not only are these approved medicines causing large numbers of adverse reactions but when you add in the other tens of thousands of synthetic chemicals you begin to see the enormous potential for harmful poisoning and toxicology.

Therefore, it seems obvious so share a warning to the wise women that resides within you.

In fact, every man, woman and child should learn this important concept known as “Caveat Emptor” which is Latin for “Let the buyer beware”.

With a little common sense it is obvious this means to be sure to read the label and understand the ingredients on every product you accept or buy and allow into your home.

Each member of the family and friends community should take an active role in participating in common sense and sound judgment regarding creating a protected and safe environment. Ultimately it is the expectant woman’s full responsibility to look out for her health and that of the unborn child. Therefore you must be vigilant and guard your body and home as if you health and life depended on it because they do. Only you can make the ultimate decision to allow or not allow items into your home. Once they come through the door they can start a chain reaction of consequences and events that you may not be able to undo.

It is best to deal with choices, decisions and issues ahead of time before the products come in the home rather than deal with the adverse consequences after the fact. Think of a security system on the doors and windows design to keep unwanted people out of your home. Well you are the security system for your self, developing child and family so you must be vigilant and stand guard at the door to stop harmful chemicals, compounds and corporate experiments from entering your body and home.

Identifying Problem Areas

Maybe it would be helpful to identify some common products and the health risks you and your unborn child face so you can better comprehend the magnitude of the problem.

Most synthetic air fresheners contain harmful chemicals which are carcinogenic and can cause lung problems. Additionally they may contain substances known as endocrine disruptors which can harm your glands and hormone system.

Wine contains alcohol and also may contain sulfur dioxide (SO2) known as sulfites. While it does occur naturally additional amounts are added which affects some people more than others. Unfortunately no amount of alcohol is really safe when it comes to pregnant moms.

Antibacterial soaps and wipes usually contain harmful substances which are toxic and also lead to the creation of “superbugs” that are antibiotic resistant. You could actually breed stronger varieties of bacteria as a result of using them. Vinegar and baking soda have been found to be great cleaners and disinfectants. Some research on copper metal strips used on doors has been shown to kill pathogens naturally.

Cosmetics are often loaded with synthetic compounds and toxic substances. Avoid any product unless you have done the research to verify that it is totally safe to you and the developing child. Why risk the exposure during pregnancy?

Body care products often contain parabens. Body care products such as after shave, cologne, conditioners, deodorants, fragrances, lotions, soaps and shampoos are usually loaded with toxic chemicals. Even many of the brands which say healthy, natural and safe are loaded with harmful chemicals and compounds.

Candles often contain harmful synthetic compounds, fragrances, heavy metals and petroleum products that can damage the brain, hormone, immune, nervous, and reproductive system. Essential oils use in a diffuser may be a safer option. Be sure to research the different essential oils as some should be avoided during pregnancy.

Chlorine bleach is corrosive and potentially deadly if mixed with other chemicals. Why risk using it when there are safe alternatives?

Chemicals and cleaners for the home often contain compounds that are harmful. They may be toxic when breathed and if you come in contact with them. Why take the risk when there are natural and safe alternatives such as vinegar and lemon essential oil? (Note: Some essential oils are not recommended during pregnancy) Be sure to choose green and safe alternatives. You and your child deserve it and the environment will be better as a result.

Dry cleaners use perchloroethylene (PERC) to dry-clean clothes. This toxic substance is a VOC and classified as a probable human carcinogen and a national institute for Occupational Safety and Health learned that dry cleaning workers were 25% more likely to die from cancer. The plastic bags also contain harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates which have been shown to disrupt hormones and cause birth defects.

Crops like GE corn, soy, canola, cotton and sugar beets are usually sprayed with herbicides that contain dioxin. People are also spraying and treating private and public lands as well as yards with herbicides like Roundup. Dioxin is a known carcinogenic toxin and also causes miscarriages, stillbirths and birth defects. Review the Agent Orange article in Wikipedia on dioxins for more details and warnings.

Fluoride is in a significant percent of the municipal water systems in the US. Fluoride is known to be carcinogenic and toxic to humans. Be sure you use a filter to improve the quality of water you drink and use for food preparation. Research has found that even bathing, showering and swimming for extended lengths of time increases the amount of chlorine and fluoride your skin absorbs. Save water while you reduce your exposure to treated water. BTW much of the bottled water sold is actually municipal water. Plastic bottles leach harmful chemicals into water and is therefore not a healthier choice.

To see the skull and cross bones toxic warning label, click > Sodium Fluorosilicate is used in water treatment.

Most vegetable oils and margarine have been chemically treated, deodorized and heated to high temperatures creating a product that is more like a plastic than a food. Use cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil or sesame oil. Read Fats that Kill, Fats that Heal by Udo Erasamus for more details.

Plastic Bottle PollutionSoy is often promoted as a healthy food. While some times it may be healthy as in the case of organic bean sprouts, edaname, miso, natto and tempeh most of time it is an unhealthy choice. This is because most of the soy grown is GMO and has been treated with dangerous and harmful chemicals and herbicides. In addition it usually not prepared properly using the ancient Asian process of extensive fermenting the soy beans to remove harmful protective compounds designed to protect the soy seeds by harming those that eat them. Soy formula, soy milk and tofu should be avoided for these and other reasons.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are emitted as gases from liquids and solids and may have short and long term adverse effects on your health. They are frequently in paints, lacquers, thinners, cleaning supplies, pesticides, furniture, adhesives, glues and other products.

For more information, click  >  Volatile Organic Compounds

Flame resistant, stain resistant and wrinkle free treatments of clothes, fabrics and furniture use chemicals that are know to be harmful to your health. According to the EPA perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) in “wrinkle-free” clothing may cause cancer.

Preservatives like sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, sulfides (sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfite and potassium hydrogen sulfite), disodium EDT and others common in many lunch meats, salad dressings, soups and other foods. The FDA does not currently require produce labels to list the type of chemical preservative used.

Sun screen is often a smorgasbord of toxic chemicals and compounds that may do more harm than good. Extensive research is now revealing that the toxic chemicals in the sunscreen may be the cause of the significant rise in skin cancer. This is evident by the almost identical increase in skin cancer correlating to the use of sunscreen over time since its introduction. Vitamin D is essential to health and sunscreens are inhibiting the natural production of it.

Tobacco and tobacco smoke contains over a hundred chemicals and harmful additives. Obviously you want to avoid smoking before, during and after pregnancy as well as avoid second hand smoke which is also been found to be very dangerous.

Many compounds have been found to be endocrine disruptors. This means they disrupt your glands and hormone system. There is evidence that some chemicals are “obesogens” which refers to dietary, industrial and pharmaceutical compounds that can alter your metabolic systems and predispose a person to gaining weight.

Knowledge When Combined with Action

Checking the IngredientsRemember that knowledge and action is power. We must learn about the environment in which we live to make better informed decisions. We can no longer stick our head in the sand and ignore the toxic environment that has been created by the introduction of tens of thousands of chemicals. Even though this list seems moe than a bit scary it is up to each of us to do our part to avoid buying and using harmful substances.

As more people wake up to the chemical toxicity and vote with their buying power the world will shift to even more healthy choices. With the desire and determination for a happy and health family you will sleep better knowing you are doing your part to create a better and safer world for your family and the world.

Mastery Action Plan

  • Have a Happy Valentines Day and be sure to read those labels before you let any harmful substances in the home.
  • Read more about avoiding fungicides, herbicides and insecticides on various foods, flowers and plants, click >  Organic Consumers Association Website.
  • Learn more about Obesogens, click > Obesogens and how they can affect your child’s health and weight.
  • A great resource to learn more about body care products, cleaners and cosmetics by clicking > The Environmental Working Group

Our next blog post will share: Perfect Health for Moms