What affect could chemicals have on a developing baby?

Some chemicals can affect a developing baby.

If a pregnant person is exposed to lead it can cause:

• miscarriage
• preterm birth
• babies that are small
• harm to the developing baby’s brain, kidneys or nervous system

Some types of fish or shellfish contain high levels of mercury. People who are planning a pregnancy or could become pregnant should limit their exposure to mercury in fish. This is because mercury can affect a developing baby. During pregnancy, mercury can pass through blood to the fetus through the placenta. In a developing baby, too much mercury can harm the brain and nervous system.  For information about choosing fish lower in mercury see Eating Fish in Pregnancy.

A common household chemical that has the potential to harm a pregnancy and developing baby is pesticide. If you are trying to get pregnant, it would be best to avoid any exposure to pesticide. For more information, check out these links: Exposure to Toxins During Pregnancy and Pesticides – MotherToBaby.