Products That Are and Aren’t Safe During Pregnancy

With the recent introduction of beauty treatments such as laser hair removal, gel nails and spray tans. How do pregnant women really know whether these treatments are safe or not? This article will give you factual information about Products That Are and Aren’t Safe During Pregnancy , including information on beauty treatments like spray tans, using lap tops and mobile phones and about natural herbal products also.

Other Things To Avoid During Pregnancy

Taking the time to research into what you choose to use and do to yourself during your pregnancy, can go a long way in protecting and ensuring your developing baby’s health and safety.

Remember many products have either not been around long enough to have been studied and assessed to ensure their safety for pregnant women, or alternatively, evidence of harm is being quietly swept under the rug because of money hungry corporations e.g mobile phone and laptop use concerns for the developing foetus.

Below are two lists. The first, is a list of products that have not yet been fully tested for safety in pregnancy, and precaution and avoidance is recommended by health care professionals. The second list, is of products that have been proven dangerous during pregnancy.

Once your have read through the information below, please jump across to my articles that offer helpful advice on choosing safer products and lifestyle choices for keeping you and your baby, healthier and safer during your pregnancy.

Read Staying Safe During Pregnancy. Safer Beauty Treatment Options For Pregnancy .

and Avoiding EMF, Eating Organic Food & Cleaning Your Home Safely During Pregnancy.

Common Things To Avoid When Pregnant

- Alcohol, drugs and cigarettes
- Toxoplasmosis by washing your hands after touching cats and being sure to avoid kitty litter. To not handle raw meat and always wear gloves when gardening.
- Listeria by avoiding white and moldy cheeses, raw fish, sushi, unpasteurized products, mayonnaise, and meats. Avoid salad bars and washing fruit and veg thoroughly.

What Else You Shouldn’t Eat While Pregnant

The majority of pregnant women would know to avoid the above food, but when it comes to food additives, colourings and preservatives, pregnant women often don’t have an understanding about the dangers associated with these ingredients.

Avoiding food additives, preservatives and colours when pregnant makes perfect sense, as they are harmful to us, even when not pregnant – see Artificial Additives and Preservatives In Food Causing Us Serious Harm.

Also since the nuclear meltdown in Fukushima Japan (which leaked out into the Pacific Ocean for many years), I would recommend that not only pregnant women, but everyone, avoids seaweed sheets and Japanese products. The Australian Government no longer test foods coming in from either Japan or harvested from the Pacific Ocean. See Japanese Seaweed Products And Radiation Contamination

Products NOT YET TESTED FOR SAFETY in Pregnancy

Laser Hair Removal During Pregnancy

Not yet been tested for safety in pregnancy.

Having Electrolysis & Using Depilatory Creams When Pregnant

Have not been tested for safety in pregnancy either.

Having A Spray Tan Pregnant or Applying Tanning Lotions

Are something that I would advise avoiding altogether when pregnant, even if a more organic and safer product as they still have to have an active DHA to make the tan semi-permanent and while pregnant their is simply just no need, stay paler, safer and beautiful. – see article by Babycenter UK and see my article Fake Tanning Risks & Dangers What You Should Know

Herbal Remedies & Some Herbal Teas

Can be dangerous in pregnancy and most have not been scientifically tested, so caution is vital. Always first check with a health professional.

Stevia avoid while pregnant

This relatively new natural sweetener has not been tested for safety in pregnancy.

Solarium’s & Tanning Beds Best Avoided During Pregnancy

Really they should be avoided at any time, as they have been proven to cause cancer. There have not been many studies done on how they affect the foetus, but without a shadow of a doubt these artificial tanning beds are dangerous for everyone! If you want to read more about tanning during pregnancy this article on Sunbathing and Sunbeds during pregnancy by Babycenter is helpful. Also again see my article Spray Tans, Solarium’s and Tanning Lotions are they Safe?also has some good information on the dangers of Solarium’s.

Hair Colouring During Pregnancy

Is a tricky one – as there is no scientific evidence to say if it is safe or not. It would be worth reading my article on Hair Colouring How Safe Is It?

Products That Have Been Tested And Proven NOT SAFE IN PREGNANCY

EMF Exposure During Pregnancy

Electromagnetic Radiation is being taken seriously by medical scientists. See an overview of their findings on how Mobile Phone use, Laptops and other sources of EMF, even in neonatal units in hospitals can adversely affect babies.

Read this report EMF and Reproductive Health Risks by CHE and also read Mobile phone radiation linked to brain tumors in children.
Mobile Phone use is not considered overly safe for pregnant women- see what Babycenter.com has to say about mobile phone use in pregnancy. In another article by WebMD it seems there are risks to the unborn child if women use a mobile when pregnant. If a pregnant women uses a laptop computer and holds it close to her body, or directly on her lap, then according to a study published by the respected Pub Med there is cause for concern. Read their report Exposure to electromagnetic fields from laptop use of “laptop” computers.

Saccharin and Cyclamate Dangerous During Pregnancy

Pregnant women should be very careful to avoid artificial sweeteners Saccharin, which is a known carcinogen and also Cyclamate(which is now banned in the USA).

According to Baby Med “pregnant women who have high levels of Phenylalanine in their blood.

Phenylalanine is a component of aspartame, and it may not metabolize correctly in anyone who has these conditions.” read full article here. So those addictive diet cokes and zero cokes are probably best avoided.

Dangerous Skincare Ingredients For Pregnant Women

Pregnant women should avoid skincare products with Retinoids & Salicylic Acid. You really must read the ingredients in ALL your skincare products, as Retinoids are commonly used in anti-aging skincare products, toners and cleansers and treatment creams for acne. Read more at Babycenter.com.

It pays to always remember, that your skin is the biggest living organ on your body and absorbs what you put on it.

Other hazardous ingredients commonly in skincare are parabens, propylene glycol, sulphates, petrochemicals and artificial fragrances and colours. Also avoid Aluminum based Antiperspirants/Deodorants.

Perfume Use During Pregnancy

Synthetic perfumes are best avoided at all time. read toxic scents, but even natural perfumes made from essential oils are best avoided when pregnant unless a trained practitioner deems them safe to use. Read my article Synthetic Perfumes Making Us Sick

Vitamins With Retinol

Pregnant women should also avoid multivitamins, or any vitamins containing Retinol (a form of vitamin A).

Essential Oil Dangers During Pregnancy

Many essential oils are very dangerous in pregnancy and should not be used. Only a medical professional should advise you which oils are safe and you must make sure you know how much is safe to use of your chosen oil and that the oil you choose to buy is 100% pure. This article by Pharmapress.com is also very enlightening. http://www.pharmpress.com/files/docs/AromaSciCh07.pdf

Chemical Exposure During Pregnancy

Avoid using these common household chemical products e.g Household Cleaners, Bleaches, Solvents and De-greasers, Insect Repellents and pesticides, Lead Paint – many older houses will often have lead paint.

Mercury In Fish & Pregnancy

High levels of Mercury are found in some Fish and Fish Oil see article by NHS UK about what fish to avoid while pregnant- this is due to Mercury and other contaminants.

PVC & BPA Plastics Avoid When Pregnant

Avoid drinking out of and storing food in plastics labelled no.3 PVC, or no.6 Polycabonate. PVC contains phthalates that release carcinogenic Dioxins and Polycarbonate releases Bisophenal A a known hormone disruptor. Read articles How To Minimize Your Babies and Childrens Exposure to Toxic BPA and PVC Plastic Toys and Why Children Should Not Play With Them . This March of Dimes article Environmental Risk and Pregnancy, covers things such as lead paint and m

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See more health and safety articles from my Babies, Pregnancy and Childrens sections;
Minimizing Radiation Exposure In Your Home

Mobile Phone Radiation Linked To Increase In Brain Tumors In Children – Mobile Phone Safety Tips

Dangerous Synthetic Air Fresheners And Choosing Safer, Healthier, Natural Options

Why Organic Food Really is Healthier.

Keeping Your Home Free of Toxic Air Pollutants

Toxic Chemicals & Fire Retardants In Mattresses Making Us Sick