Jan 10, 2021

​Household items that can be toxic for your unborn baby​

Pratishtha Tiwari

​Getting pregnant

The moment you realise you are pregnant, you want to do everything you can to keep the baby safe and protected.

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​Common things to protect your baby

Giving up coffee and alcohol, exercising regularly and eating healthy are some of the common things moms do for the good health of their babies.

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​Household items that can harm the baby

Composition and ingredients in some commonly used household products are linked to birth abnormalities and can impact baby's health.

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​Wall paint

Wall paint and upholstery agents may have traces of lead, which can increase the risk of premature birth. So ask someone else for help, do not take the nursery painting yourself.

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​Mosquito repellant sprays

Mosquito repellents are not usually pregnancy-friendly. Replace these repellants with natural ones or choose products that are tested and certified.

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​Naphthalene balls

Naphthalene balls have 98 per cent naphthalene, which is a toxic chemical. It can cause side effects like nausea, dizziness and other complications in the fetus.

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​Cat litter box

Cat litter boxes contain a parasite called toxic plasma gondii, which if ingested can lead to serious birth complications in babies.

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​Plastic

Plastic may have traces of dangerous chemicals like phthalates, which can be easily absorbed through the skin. It can lead to severe fetal complications.

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​Nail paint

Formaldehyde is a chemical used in nail paint and other few cosmetics. The chemical can be harmful for your baby, thus make sure to choose the nail paint that does not have the chemical.

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