Expecting Moms Didn't Expect This

By drodriguez Jan 18, 2011

Women often go to great lengths to keep themselves healthy during pregnancy.  Eating a balanced diet, cutting out alcohol and certain foods, exercising, and taking multi-vitamins are all a part of the routine for many pregnant women.  But women are now finding out that harmful toxins are present in their systems and there may not be too much they can do about it.

A study being released by the Program on Reproductive Health and Environment at the University of California - San Francisco is revealing some startling information about the toxic chemical currently being found in nearly 100 percent of pregnant women. A report from Time magazine about the study reports that of the 163 chemicals they tested the women for, 43 of them were present in more than 99 percent of the women.

One of the chemicals found in 96 percent of the women was Bisphenol A (BPA), which is a plastic-hardening chemical and currently used in the lining of metal food containers and beverage cans.  BPA is known to cause hormonal disruptions and “adverse brain development”.

Scientists are not sure exactly what all of the toxins in our systems mean for our unborn children, but the findings from the study have prompted many to call for further research on the subject. Director of the university’s program, Tracey Woodruff, explains why we need to further look into the matter. Woodruff says, “We should be concerned about the number of chemicals pregnant women have in their bodies and we should be taking steps to find out what the implications are for exposure to multiple chemicals.”

Women involved in the study who were not pregnant had even more chemicals present in their system. Even though we are not yet sure how these chemicals are effecting us, there are a few things we can do to reduce our exposure to them. For one, we can eat a healthy, low in fat diet. According to Woodruff, chemicals often like to “hang out” in fat and will stay in your system longer when you eat fatty foods. Washing your hands can greatly reduce chemical exposure since toxins are often found in dust and dirt. And when you choose your personal care and beauty products always look at the label and choose items containing the least amount of harmful chemicals.

What do you think of the study being released about harmful chemicals being found in most pregnant women?

What ways do you think women can reduce their exposure to toxins?

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Comments

by MyEmptyCanvas | KOSCIUSKO, MS

Feb 17, 2011

Seems like everything these days is put in a plastic container, some of the best items I used to buy "back in the day" came in glass jars, etc... and now ... plastic containers... only because it's cheaper to use it... not thinking about the people consuming the products. Oh well.

by cindylsf | mahwah, NJ

Jan 27, 2011

I am a RN and have been working with women for 30 years. As some of you are aware, we are surrounded by toxins. It doesn't matter how organic or how healthy you are. What you need to do is cleanse your body. I have a nutritional cleansing program that I do every week. It rids your body of toxins so you feel great, release weight and have tons of energy!!

by tashar27 | fanrock, WV

Jan 26, 2011

I think that we could eat fresh or frozen veggies to reduce the risk of BPA intake. Of course buy BPA free plastics to store food in and BPA free bottles and pacies for babies. I know there is BPA free plastics out there because I own some.

by Texmel | COLORADO SPGS, CO

Jan 26, 2011

I am so glad to see this information reaching a wider audience. I first learned about this issue about 7 years ago, when my son was a baby. I was shocked to discover all the potentially unhealthy or even dangerous chemicals present even in baby products, like BPA-lined baby bottles! I would rather live in America than anywhere else, but I applaud the EU on the careful steps they take to protect citizens from unhealthy chemicals in children's toys or products and women's cosmetics. I hope the US can take steps to learn what needs to be kept out of our cosmetics, plastics, cleaning products and even home furnishings. Thanks, SheSpeaks, for posting this artlicle!

by shelly_noble24 | SULLIVAN, MO

Jan 22, 2011

we need to have more regulations on whats put in stuff we use thats a for sure.i mean i know we get alot of stuff from over seas but some things we could make ourselves in the u.s.a. if we did that wed be greatly reducing the harmful toxins if we went by a different guideline.it would also give more people jobs here in the states. the gov need to push that on business people to have more of there stuff made in the u.s.a by a certain guideline.

by CrystalBurgard | N TONAWANDA, NY

Jan 21, 2011

We are all becoming more toxic by the minute. Everything in our homes releases toxins from the paint on the walls to the rugs on the floors and everything else in between. With many products coming from foreign countries that do not have the same types of regulations that we do, we are all exposed to toxins every single day. It is no wonder that there are so many people dying from cancer and other major medical conditions and as the years progress and more products are introduced, more diseases will be born. No one is safe, look at a few years back when the baby formula was tainted with the exact same chemical that was found in pet foods. Its really scary to think that with a country as advanced as ours that we would have to worry about such things, but we do. That is really sad

by josmommy | toledo, OH

Jan 21, 2011

How disturbing.We have pobally been drinking and eating bpa in out food and drink for years or by heating food in plastic and all.never knowing we were,now it will probaly be told to us we really should be more careful once the damage is already done.

by MadHatter | Whitestone , NY

Jan 19, 2011

hm....its no wonder why my mum is soooo persistant on us using glass bottles, ceramic or glass storage containers and such... glad i followed her advice.

by msfriendly | MONROE, WI

Jan 19, 2011

I think we all need to be more aware about what we are buying. I have been much more careful about label reading and I am buying more natural and organic items.