Youve probably heard about phthalates, the chemicals that make plastic soft and flexible. Theyre practically in everything, but a new study reveals another reason pregnant women should try to avoid them.
What Mali Land really wants is a healthy baby. It seems like thats not easy these days with a minefield of things to avoid.
Ayanna Woltz, MD, from Somerset OB/GYN, told Ivanhoe, There are a lot of things pregnant women have to look out for.
Woltz cautions her patients to check everything around them, even the sweet air they breathe, because so many household items like air fresheners contain chemicals known as phthalates.
When it comes to phthalate exposure studies have shown that women who are of reproductive age are the people with the highest amounts of phthalates in their bloodstream, Woltz told Ivanhoe.
Cosmetics with phthalates as an ingredient are a major cause of exposure for women. And now, a Columbia University study found that moms with high phthalate exposure were more likely to have children with asthma, with almost an 80% increased risk of developing the condition between ages five and 11.
There is no way right now to be completely phthalate free, but you can try to minimize your exposure, Woltz told Ivanhoe.
Use glass food containers, make sure your babys bottle is phthalate or BPA-free. Dont use plastics in the microwave, and buy fragrance-free whenever possible.
Mali Land prefers to let the glow of her pregnancy shine.
Land told Ivanhoe, No makeup, or just very light. If anything just a lip gloss but nothing heavier than that.Submit
Because in three short months, she wants a healthy baby brother for little Eva.
Animal studies show phthalates exposure affects the liver, kidney and reproductive systems of developing organisms.