When we discover we are pregnant, the foods we eat take on significance like never before. In addition to making changes in your diet to include a variety of healthy foods, consider what is in the foods you eat. Two potential issues are pesticides used in growing foods and artificial additives.

 

Many studies have demonstrated the danger of pesticide exposure on the fetus. Some of these studies looked at people that handle pesticides in their work, such as exterminators and farmers. A study in California found that mothers who live or work in agricultural areas of the state had an increased risk of having children born with defects of the limbs. Other studies have shown an increase in cleft palate and other birth defects with pesticide exposure.

 

Other studies have linked exposure to pesticides with health problems such as an increase in childhood cancer, neurological disorders and hormone disruption. For more information on these studies: http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/mnchec/articles/pesticides.htm. The studies have shown that the risk increases according to exposure. If the child is exposed to pesticides through food, in sprays and pest control products used in the home and in the community, the risk would be higher. For this reason, it is best to reduce or eliminate exposure to pesticides both during pregnancy and after the baby is born.

The advice on caffeine in pregnancy varies depending on the source. Some books and articles will tell you that a small amount of caffeine is fine, while others recommend skipping it altogether. The same is true among health care professionals. Some say a limited amount of caffeine is not dangerous, while others say to eliminate it entirely. With advice differing, it can be difficult to know what to do.

 

The issue becomes even more confusing because studies of caffeine use in pregnancy are not consistent. An FDA study in the late 1980s showed that caffeine consumption had an impact on miscarriage rates. The study was later refuted due to the fact that rats were used in the study. Later studies on humans were criticized because they failed to control for other contributing factors such as tobacco and alcohol use.