Pregnancy is, perhaps, one of those critical times in a woman’s life where extra care needs to be taken since we are talking about two people. Everything starting from the diet to medications and health care, all need to be given special attention since the condition of the mother will determine the condition of the baby.
The use of pesticides is on the rise. Almost all food items like fruits, vegetables and crops come loaded with pesticides. This, on a regular basis, can be quite harmful to the mother and the foetus. Given in this article are the ways by which the harmful chemicals used in growing food crops affect the health of pregnant women.
Agricultural pesticides:
The first three to eight weeks is when the neural development of the foetus is taking place. The lady carrying the bay cannot, under any circumstances, put herself and her baby at risk by living in a place where there is an abundance of agricultural chemicals being used. It is advised to migrate to a better and cleaner place at least until the baby is delivered so as to avoid any unwanted circumstances.
Domestic pesticides:
Statistics show that almost 75% of the pregnant women are exposed to some form of chemicals or another, even at home. Such continuous exposure to pregnancy results in birth issues like limb defects, oral cleft, and neural tube and heart defects too. Miscarriage or pre-mature delivery may also occur if the mother stays in the vicinity of these harmful toxins.
Organic or natural pesticides:
These pesticides, unlike the synthetic ones, are produced solely from substances of the plant origin. Having said that, this does not mean that they are better or safer to use than the chemical ones. They consist of toxins and are as harmful to the pregnant lady and her foetus as other types of pesticides. Your best bet here is to make use of boric acid for killing pests at home. It is less harmful and more effective. Ask for the blue form of boric acid at any hardware store.
How can one reduce the exposure to pesticides?
As is said, prevention is always better than cure. Which is why it is better to lessen your exposure to pesticides than to treat its consequences later on. Some of the effective methods are:
- Use organic food:
Organic foods have the least amount of pesticides on them. Also, these foods are quite nourishing and the best bet for the health of both the mother and baby.
- Wash your eatables thoroughly:
Fruits and vegetables must be completely washed to get rid of even the slightest trails of pesticide that might be there. Even organic food must not be consumed without first washing it.
- Limit the use of pesticides at home:
Bugs and pests at home can be a real pain, but make sure to not overdo the use of pesticides especially when there is a pregnant lady in the house.
- Take precautions while sprays for pests are being used:
Remove all items of everyday usage like utensils and other stuff when the pesticide is being used. You don’t want traces of the chemicals to be left on them so that they can later enter your body and harm the unborn foetus directly.
- Don’t handle the chemicals yourself:
The best way to stay away from the fumes of the pesticide is to remove yourself from the area it is being used. Stay away from the place form the stipulated period of time mentioned on the package.
Pesticides cannot be completely eliminated from the process of growing and cultivating crops. It is the need of the hour, given the rise in the demand for food crops. Having said that, precautions can be taken by pregnant women and new mothers as to not expose themselves and their kids to the harmful effects of pesticides and insecticides.
Consuming organic food is on biggest advantage a pregnant woman can have and is also the best way to dodge the toxicity of insecticides. A little care and concern goes a long way in preventing even the slightest bit of exposure of women to pesticides during their pregnancy.
