The time before your placenta develops is a delicate time for your baby. When research looks at toxicity’s role during pregnancy, we know that harmful substances can directly disturb your baby early before the placenta is fully developed-around week 12. The placenta is an organ that develops during pregnancy that both protects and separates you and your baby. The placenta acts as a barrier and blocks various substances from passing to your baby, such as infections, and allows others to pass through like nutrients and antibodies. The placenta is often referred to as the gatekeeper that determines which particles are allowed in.
Prior to week 12, there is not barrier and the embryo receives it’s nutrients from your corpus luteum your the uterus. Research suggests that because there is no barrier, the chance of a miscarriage is greater during your first trimester. Early within your pregnancy, and even before you are pregnant, is a critical time to start thinking about the environmental factors that support or inhibit development.
The best way to approach toxins is to evaluate your home for environmental toxins. Toxins can be absorbed, inhaled and ingested.
Absorbed
Typically absorbed through your skin and normally consists of health and beauty products such as lotion, soap, sunscreen and deodorant. Look for companies like The Honest Company, Greener Path Unscented Body Lotion, Seventh Generation Free and Clear Natural Hand Wash and Badger Sunscreen.
Inhaled
Many companies falsely advertise products as nontoxic. Keep a look out for parabens and sodium laurel sulfate. Check out https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners for a ranking system of cleaning products, but keep in mind that the system is not regulated and is to be used as a general guide only. A good rule is to remember that if you can smell the product, you are inhaling it. The most common in home inhaled environmental toxins includes air fresheners and candles. Healthy alternatives include essential oils, and the brands—Aura Casia and Earth Friendly Products. Mrs. Myers is a popular healthy alternative brand for cleaning products.
Ingested
Anything that you eat or drink has the potential to affect your developing little one. While the placenta blocks many things, it does not block alcohol or certain medications from passing to your baby. A recent study confirms the role that the uterus plays in supplying nutrients to the embryo during the first trimester. Recommended diets include one high in quality protein, essential fats and low in sugar and processed foods.
About Dr. Bob Mason
Dr. Bob has owned and practiced at Active Life Chiropractic since 2012. Known as a family based practice, he has a special interest as a pediatric chiropractor and a prenatal chiropractor in Ballantyne. Dr. Bob has a passion for empowering families to achieve wellness. He teaches several courses on healthy pregnancy and healthy newborn/toddler techniques with his efforts centered around helping families focus on living optimally instead of treating recurring illnesses.
The most reasons that pregnant women seek care at Active Life Chiropractic include a breech presented baby, fatigue, low back pain, hip pain, sciatica and overall wellness to aid in the labor/delivery process.