While homes are seemingly the safest place, there are some hidden dangers that pregnant women should be cautious of throughout their pregnancy. Here are six overlooked household dangers that expectant mothers should be aware of:
1 Wall Paint
Some types of wall paint contain low levels of VOCs, which are volatile organic compounds that can pose risks to respiratory health and potentially cause headaches, nausea, and even cancer.
Therefore, if you are planning to get pregnant and renovate your home simultaneously, it is advisable to reconsider. It is best to paint your home before conceiving to ensure the utmost safety. Moreover, when choosing paint for your baby’s room, opt for non-toxic options to ensure the safety of your newborn’s breathing air.
Wall Paint
2 Cleaning Products
Certain household cleaning and bleaching products may contain whitening agents and fragrances that can be harmful to the health of pregnant women and their unborn children. It is advisable for expectant mothers to minimize close contact with cleaning products containing the following ingredients: Sodium hydroxide, formaldhyde, ammonia, hydrochloric acid, butyl cellusolve, bleach, sulffamic acid, petroleum distillates, and sulfuric acid.
Cleaning Products
3 Cosmetics
The cosmetics you use daily may contain harmful fragrances. Specifically, nail polishes often contain chemicals like toluene, formaldehyde, and DPB, which can impact the normal development of a fetus.
Fetal exposure to toxic chemicals in cosmetics can lead to health risks. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully scrutinize the ingredient lists of your cosmetic products to ensure their safety.
Cosmetics
4 Dampness and Mold
Dampness and mold commonly occur in areas with high moisture levels, such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. The presence of mold in the home is not a good sign, as it can trigger serious reactions in pregnant women.
To address this issue, consider ways to eliminate moisture in mold-prone areas, such as using dehumidifiers and ensuring proper ventilation. Additionally, regularly inspect water pipes, leaks under sinks, and the ceiling to prevent and address dampness promptly.
Dampness and Mold
5 Rugs
Newly purchased rugs often emit a pleasant “new rug smell,” but this is actually a chemical odor that can be harmful to your health if inhaled over an extended period.
Additionally, older rugs tend to harbor dust, microorganisms, and bacteria, which can trigger allergies. It is advisable to clean your rugs regularly to eliminate built-up dirt and grime.
Rugs
6 Indoor Air Quality
The air quality indoors can be worse than outdoors due to trapped dust, toxins from daily cleaning products, and chemical fragrances.
To improve indoor air quality, take advantage of sunny days to open windows for ventilation or use air purifiers.
Indoor Air Quality
These are some overlooked household dangers that pregnant women should be aware of. We hope this information helps you take better care of your health and enables you to prevent the mentioned risks.
Source: The Bump
