During pregnancy, your unborn baby has a heightened sensitivity to everything you are exposed to during the day. While many pregnant women are aware of the dangers of smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy, many have not been informed of the effects common household chemicals can have on their unborn babies. Many chemical cleaning solutions have not been proven to directly cause birth defects and pregnancy complications, but most of them have not even been tested for these things.
Most chemical cleaning solutions and disinfectants that you can find at the store have a variety of potent chemicals inside them. The effects of many of these and the combination in which they are used are virtually unknown. Pregnant women should be especially cautious when using cleaning products. There are a few chemicals that have been tested and were discovered to have adverse effects on humans. Be careful to avoid Alkylphenol Ethoxylates, Volatile Organic Compounds, and Triclosan. Frequent exposure to any of these chemicals may cause health problems. It would be best to avoid these chemicals entirely while you are pregnant.
Not only can toxic fumes from chemical cleaning solutions be dangerous, but they can also be irritating and unpleasant to use, especially when you are pregnant. Chemicals such as bleach and ammonia are especially strong, and may cause dizziness and nausea in pregnant women. The best way to avoid these effects is to avoid chemical cleaning completely. However, if you are going to clean with chemicals, there are some tips you can use to make it safer and less unpleasant.
Make sure you are cleaning in a well-ventilated area. Open the windows and doors in the room where you will be using chemicals. Also, wear plastic gloves and a mask when you clean with chemicals. These will protect you from direct contact with the chemicals. Remember, anything you come in contact with can be absorbed by your body and transferred to your baby when you are pregnant.
You can also swing for natural cleaning solutions as a method of avoiding chemical cleaners altogether. Many stores offer all-natural brands of cleaning products. You should still check the labels before buying these to make sure you know what you are getting. Many pregnant women find it simple and inexpensive to make their own cleaning solutions at home. Vinegar and baking soda can be used in a variety of ways to clean and disinfect. These two items can replace almost all of your household chemical cleaners. You will most likely find they are so cheap and easy to use that you will continue to clean with them even after pregnancy.
It is also important to keep in mind that essential oils should not be used during pregnancy. While essential oils are useful for natural cleaning and disinfecting when you are not pregnant, they can be dangerous to use during pregnancy. Avoiding them completely will be safest for you and your baby.