Exposure to Toxins During Pregnancy: Care Instructions

Overview

Toxins are things that can harm your pregnancy. They may be chemicals or fumes in your home. Or you may be around things in your community that can be harmful. Some foods and medicines may also be dangerous.

Some toxins could hurt the fetus right away. Others are harmful if you or your child are around them for years.

The best way to stay safe is to know what is dangerous. Then you can be careful to avoid those things as much as possible.

Some things that can be harmful include:

• Prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
• Marijuana and other drugs.
• Vitamins, herbal supplements, and home remedies.
• Alcohol.
• Tobacco smoke and vaping.
• Fish with high levels of mercury. These include shark, swordfish, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, and bigeye tuna, as well as tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico.
  • It's okay to eat up to 8 to 12 ounces a week of fish that are low in mercury or up to 4 ounces a week of fish that have medium levels of mercury. Some fish that are low in mercury are salmon, shrimp, canned light tuna, cod, and tilapia. Some fish that have medium levels of mercury are halibut and white albacore tuna.
• Dry cleaning solvents, pesticides, and paint remover. Fumes from these chemicals can be harmful.
• Radiation. The level of radiation in most X-rays is too low to be harmful. But while you are pregnant, it is still best to avoid X-rays. Many X-rays can be delayed until after pregnancy. Some long airplane flights can expose you to radiation. If you have to fly often, talk to your doctor.
• Lead in old pipes or paint in older homes. Lead can increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• If you use alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs, quit or cut back as much as you can. It's safest not to use them at all. Talk to your doctor if you need help decreasing your use.
• If you smoke or vape, quit. If you can't quit, cut back as much as you can. Try not to let others smoke around you. Smoking and vaping can be harmful to your pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you need help to quit.
• Check your home for peeling lead paint.
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Change the batteries as recommended by the manufacturers.
• Do not use pesticides or herbicides.
• Limit remodeling, painting, and craft projects if they involve toxic chemicals.
• Avoid fish that are high in mercury. These include shark, swordfish, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, and bigeye tuna, as well as tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico.
  • It's okay to eat up to 8 to 12 ounces a week of fish that are low in mercury or up to 4 ounces a week of fish that have medium levels of mercury. Some fish that are low in mercury are salmon, shrimp, canned light tuna, cod, and tilapia. Some fish that have medium levels of mercury are halibut and white albacore tuna.
• Do not take any over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, or home remedies without checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
• Ask your doctor or midwife about any medicines that another doctor has prescribed.
• Keep your follow-up appointments. If you think you are being exposed to something toxic, ask your doctor about it.