• Tobacco (see below).
• Methylates. Found in hot dogs and lunch meats, they unwind DNA that’s not supposed to be unwound.
• Alcohol.
• Marijuana.
• Phthalates. These chemicals, found in plastics and cosmetics, mimic estrogens and have been linked to feminized fish; they increase when you microwave foods in plastic.
• Aerosolized products such as turpentine, toluene, and paint thinner. Let your partner paint the baby’s room. And aggressively air it out before you and the baby come near it—breast milk can carry such stuff too.
• Radon. This radioactive element comes from the ground and gets trapped in modern houses. It needs to be ventilated away if found.
• Fluorotelomers. These are found in paints and coatings and in stain repellents applied to materials such as carpets, paper, packaging, and textiles.
• Bisphenol-A. Found in hard plastic bottles; none is commonly obtained when you drink water from undamaged plastic bottles.
• Other bad hydrocarbons, such as those found in unmarinated grilled meats.
• Mercury, lead, and other heavy metals. Stay away from coal-fired power plants.
Also, if your occupation exposes you to chemicals, find out what chemicals are involved and seek advice as to their fetal safety.
Put Out the Fire. You knew you were going to get the talk at some point, so now’s as good a time as any. Please don’t sentence your child to nine months inside a smoky bar. Tobacco turns on genes that are later linked to the growth of cancers, as well as inflammation in arteries, which in turn leads to heart attacks, strokes, wrinkles, and impotence. Most important for you, smoking also limits blood flow to the uterus by causing inflammation in the uterine arteries, thus making it harder for beneficial nutrients to travel from mom to child. If you’re currently a smoker, please see www.realage.com for our Breathe-Free, addiction-busting program.
Know the Limit. In doctors’ offices, message boards, and nail salons everywhere, debates rage about the role of alcohol in pregnancy. Surely we all know that excessive alcohol during pregnancy is the biological equivalent of a lightning storm, tornado, and tidal wave all wrapped up into one. But still, many ask: Is one drink okay? While moderate alcohol has many health benefits, we don’t recommend any alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol is a toxin to developing brain cells even at minor levels, so don’t take any chances. Further, a little alcohol changes brain functioning, predisposing your baby to alcohol problems later in life, as well as decreasing her brain development. A big reason to avoid it: If something does go wrong, you don’t want to be guilt ridden thinking that you didn’t do everything you could have to ensure the health of your child.
Squash the Radiation. To protect your baby from the toxic effects of radiation, you should avoid X-rays and other forms of radiation during pregnancy. Radiation alters the DNA of cells as they replicate, which is why it is used in cancer therapy (cancers reproduce faster than regular cells). Fetal cells reproduce the fastest and are the most susceptible to injury, which may lead to miscarriage or birth defects, or predispose your child to cancer later in life. Avoiding radiation may also mean that you should consider your flying habits. Flying for thirty hours exposes you to the same dose of radiation as one chest X-ray. Does that mean that you’re automatically harming your child if you whisk off to the Caymans when you’re four months pregnant? No. But if you’re being diligent about taking all precautions, it’s worth thinking about whether each trip you are planning can wait.
See the Dentist. You’re more likely to be thinking about your appointments with your ob/gyn or midwife than you are about those with your dentist. But you should get your teeth cared for and cavities filled, ideally, six months before you become pregnant. While you are pregnant, maintain your schedule of regular checkups for dental health. However, try to wait to get any new cavities filled until after your baby is born, unless the procedure is absolutely necessary. (To be extra cautious, you can avoid breast-feeding for two weeks after dental work.) Traditional fillings contain mercury, which releases mercury vapor that you absorb, and even the composite ones have been associated with releasing phthalates (see page 38) when they harden. Even though no conclusive studies link fillings to fetal health abnormalities, one can surmise that these chemicals may be harmful to a developing fetus.
Figure 1.6 Miracle Grow Amazing milestones happen at every step along the way as a fetus develops. Heartbeats, taste buds, fingernails, the sense of touch – when you consider everything that develops in utero, you really can appreciate that is a womb with a view.
The Time of Your (in Utero) Life
Mark the milestones in your baby’s development. All ages are based on clinical age; that’s two weeks from the first day of your last period.
6 WEEKS
Heart is formed, circulation is established. A big part of the lungs is formed, as well as the fingers, toes, and parts of the face, like the lips.
7 WEEKS
Fetus can produce urine. Bubbles in the eye area collapse into cuplike structures.
9 WEEKS
Immune system starts to develop, with the formation of B cells, a type of white blood cell that assists in fighting infection. Nostrils are formed. Baby is the size and shape of a kidney bean.
10 WEEKS
Eyes move to the front of the face, and the eyelids form and fuse shut (they separate late in the second trimester). Fetus begins to squint, open its mouth, and make small movements with its fingers and toes.
11 WEEKS
The chin, eyelids, and arms can all sense touch.
12 WEEKS
Taste buds develop and mature. Easy on the anchovies, mom.
14 WEEKS
Immune system ramps up, with the formation of T cells. Lots of gut chemicals can be detected, including bilirubin from the liver and insulin from the pancreas. Baby starts to develop skin, hair, and nails. Swallowing begins. The entire surface of the body can sense touch. Fetus size: about that of an orange.
16 WEEKS
External genitalia spotted. The 100 million neurons that form in the primary visual cortex develop between now and twenty-eight weeks. Respiration develops. Size: about that of a grapefruit.
20 WEEKS
Ears stick out of the head. Downy hair covers the body. Size: 300 grams, or the weight of two iPods.
25 WEEKS
Fetus can respond to sounds. Be careful what you say.
26 WEEKS
Ability to suck. Ability to hear sounds. Eyebrows and eyelashes detectable. Size: 630 grams (the weight of about three oranges). Almost half of babies that reach this age will survive if delivered.
29 WEEKS
Lungs with fluid in them begin to expand and compress, simulating breathing movement.
30 WEEKS
Eyes