New study links higher sperm count to vitamin

Troubled with low sperm count, viability, motility or morphology? A recent study published in the Journal of Andrology from the American Society of Andrology cites FertilAid supplements for men may improve sperm dynamics for some men.

Recently, a 90 day blind study was conducted to determine if treatment with FertilAid improved sperm quality in men. Funded (only in part) by the makers of FertilAid for Men, 14 subjects who met the parameters of low sperm count, low percentage of motility or low percentage of normal morphology as well as those who had not taken any vitamins for at least one month were chosen to participate.

Initially, these subjects provided 2 baseline semen samples before being randomly selected to either receive the vitamin, FertilAid or be given a placebo for the following 90 days.

Under the World Health Organization guidelines, routine semen analysis was performed by the same lab at the on-set of the study and then again at the conclusion of the 90 day analysis.

After 90 days the randomly selected 8 recipients of the vitamin showed an improvement in sperm quality; specifically with the number of normally-shaped motile sperm produced; versus the 6 who consumed the placebo and showed no signs of improvement.

The conclusion is that in spite of the small size of the study, significant improvements were found in men taking FertilAid and that larger studies should be conducted to confirm the results seen within this study.

An expert in the field of optimizing reproductive health for couples trying to conceive, Cindy Ferda offers conception solutions to those experiencing fertility issues. She is the author of How to Get Pregnant Quickly & Naturally and CEO of GetPregnant.org

Freebirthing; the latest trend in delivering a baby

Unhappy with your last birthing experience at the hospital? Disappointed with the amount of meds pumped into your system? Feel like you lost control of the birth and were at the mercy of the numerous directives from medical personnel being forced upon you without your considerations? Not to mention the colossal medical expense.

There is a growing faction of women in both the US and in the UK who are rejecting traditional medical advice and hospitals, and opting to stay home and give birth with no drugs, no midwife and no medical support. Supporters’ suggest it is how having a baby was always meant to be, but doctors warn freebirthing could have catastrophic outcomes.

A supporter of home birthing, Jana Kutarna, and a contributing writer for Pregnancy Solutions says women should take charge of giving birth. “Many women don’t realize that in our culture they are trained to give away the responsibility of their birthing to doctors and to midwives. In reality, insurance companies are not responsible for the birth, only the mother is”. And with that mindset, Jana delivered a healthy baby girl at home with no help from a doctor or even a midwife; guided only by a mother’s instinct.

The Discovery Health Channel continues to air the documentary “Freebirthing”. This unassisted childbirth documentary follows the story of 3 women preparing to give birth at home without any medical assistance.

The remarkable footage of the extraordinary deliveries is shown in their entirety.

Initially, 9 pregnant women who were planning to deliver at home were interviewed for the doc and all 9 women went on to deliver successfully. 2 sought non-emergency medical care following delivery; one for stitches, the other for slow placenta.

Even celebrities are raising awareness of staying at home to birth a baby the natural way.

Actress, talk show host and activist Rikki Lake recently produced a documentary entitled “The Business of being Born”. After Lake felt disenchanted with her first child’s delivery in a medical setting, Lake opted for home delivery the second time round. Not only does she talk the talk, she walks the walk. Lake successfully delivered a healthy baby girl, cameras running, in the peace and quiet of her own home in NYC in this documentary.

Should women take Prometrium to ward off miscarriage?

To sustain a healthy pregnancy, women must maintain healthy levels of progesterone at all times.

As a woman’s body prepares for ovulation, progesterone levels go up. The corpus luteum can stimulate the production of progesterone for about two weeks and if a conception occurs, the pregnancy itself takes over the stimulation of progesterone. With no pregnancy, the lining of the uterus deteriorates and a period begins.

If a newly pregnant woman’s progesterone level begins to diminish, then miscarriage would be imminent.

Many women who have experienced one or more miscarriages or are known to have a luteal phase defect (LPD) are being presented with a new option by their providers.

Prometrium, a synthetic form of progesterone that may help maintain a pregnancy and ward off miscarriage. Normally prescribed to menopausal women requiring hormone therapy and/or women experiencing abnormal periods, Prometrium can also be prescribed to women experiencing spotting or bleeding early in the first trimester or women with a history of recurrent miscarriage.

Available in tablet form a doctor will generally prescribe a 100-200mg dose to be taken orally once or twice a day. Suppositories and cream are available as well.

To determine the efficacy and safety of progestogens like Prometrium as a preventative therapy against miscarriage, a recent study (by Haas DM, Ramsey PS ‘Progestogen for preventing miscarriage’ Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2) was conducted on 2118 women who participated in 15 trials. The study revealed no significant difference between progestogen and placebo or no treatment groups for a majority of the participants.

However, in a subgroup analysis of three trials involving women who had recurrent miscarriages (3 or more), treatment showed a statistically significant decrease in the miscarriage rate compared to placebo or no treatment.

Additionally, no significant adverse effects from taking Prometrium were reported regarding mother and child at this time, however many people feel there are not enough facts supporting its safety and warranting its overuse.

According to their own website, the most common adverse events reported in (postmenopausal) women receiving prometrium 200 mg were: breast tenderness, dizziness, abdominal bloating, vaginal discharge, chest pain, and diarrhea.

And most importantly, they actually warn not to use while pregnant. 

Further research indicated the long-term maternal and neonatal/fetal adverse effects of progestogen administration in early pregnancy also warrant further investigation.

Until then many non-supporters feel it is imperative Progestogen be removed from the treatment list for preventing miscarriage. Increasing awareness among policy-makers, health-care providers and patients about the fact that the practice is not based on evidence is a good start.

Pregnancy and gestational Vitamin D

In the last 3 years, an increasing amount of research suggests that some of the damage done by what is called Vitamin D deficiency syndrome is done in-utero, while the fetus is developing. Much of that damage may be permanent, that is, it can not be fully reversed by taking Vitamin D after birth.

This research indicates Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy endangers the mother’s life and health, and is the origin for a host of future dangers for the child, especially for the child’s brain and the immune system. Some of the damage done by maternal Vitamin D deficiency may not show up for 30 years.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), they are recommending all expecting moms to take 5,000 IU per day in addition to their prenatal vitamin. Babies who are born with a vitamin D deficiency have a higher incidence in being born with:

* Asthma

* Autism

* Cavities

* Celiac Disease

* Heart Disease

* Seizures

Moms have a higher rate of bacterial vaginitis (which causes premature deliveries) c-sections, gestational diabetes, and preclampsia.

Healthy children are needing 1000 IU per 25 pounds of body weight, above the current recommendation of 400 IU set by the AAP. Here is what else they are finding:

The announcement simply pointed out that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently recommended that all pregnant women have a 25(OH)D blood test because Vitamin D is important for normal fetal development (p. 1145):

“Given the growing evidence that adequate maternal vitamin D status is essential during pregnancy, not only for maternal well-being but also for fetal development, health care professionals who provide obstetric care should consider assessing maternal vitamin D status by measuring the 25-OH-D concentrations of pregnant women.

On an individual basis, a mother should be supplemented with adequate amounts of vitamin D3 to ensure that her 25-OH-D levels are in a sufficient range (>32 ng/mL).

The knowledge that prenatal vitamins containing 400 IU of vitamin D3 have little effect on circulating maternal 25-OH-D concentrations, especially during the winter months, should be imparted to all health care professionals.”

If you are an expecting mom, ask your doctor to run a vitamin D blood test and measure 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels and supplement if necessary. This test should be done on expecting mothers, exclusively breastfed infants, obese individuals, people over 65 years of age and those with a suppressed immunity such as those with, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer and an autoimmune disease, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Celiac Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and so forth.

New research also shows vitamin d slashes risk for cancer by 77 percent. It may also help you be successful in your weight loss efforts (and postpartum weight loss!).

The other advantage to increasing your vitamin d intake is an instant immunity booster. People with the lowest levels tend to get more colds, flus, and respiratory infections. Those with impaired respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema and chronic obstructive respiratory infections (COPD) have a much higher risk for colds and flus and more likely to be lacking vitamin D.

Read more about Gestational Vitamin D Deficiency at the Vitamin D Council website.

Jasmine Jafferali, MPH is a maternal, child and family health educator. She works as an Educational and Wellness Consultant helping women and families achieve healthier lifestyles. She is a Master Trainer for Healthy Moms(R) Fitness http://www.healthymomsfitness.com/ and a well-respected Pregnancy Health Columnist for Examiner.com

Pregnancy rates climb with fertility drug Clomid

For the latest free pregnancy, health and conception tips visit GetPregnantQuickandNaturally .com

To combat infertility, many women are turning to clomiphene citrate as their first course of action. Sold under the brand name Serophene or Clomid, it is the most commonly prescribed medication for women with ovulation issues, PCO (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and/or luteal phase defects, however it does not work for women with blocked fallopian tubes.

Treatment generally begins with a 50mg dose of Clomid. This will assist in regulating and/or inducing ovulation by stimulating hormones that will produce or release mature eggs from the ovaries.

Affordable and prescribed from your doctor or purchased through an international pharmaceutical source online without a prescription, a one-cycle 50mg dose may only cost about $50.

Studies indicate this easy to take oral medication offers great ovulation results for approximately 40% of the women it is prescribed to. Clomid can be taken for up to six menstrual cycles, but most doctors agree that if it doesn’t produce a pregnancy within the first three cycles, another treatment should be considered.

Taken orally on days 3 to 7 or 5 to 9 of your menstrual cycle, Clomid signals the pituitary gland to begin secreting more FSH and LH hormones. At this signal, the ovaries will typically begin to mature eggs and release them; sometimes even more than one.

Used alone or as part of what is known as superovulation on women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), Clomid offers some patients the chance for multiple egg retrievals or ultimately multiple births. The live birth rate for women using Clomid is climbing and thought to be between 30 and 60 percent. Studies also suggest there is a 10% increase in the birth of twins.

Monitoring your body during this treatment is vital to the success of the treatment. Work with your doctor or fertility specialist to make sure you are not developing a hostile cervical mucus environment known to affect about one third of all Clomid users. Hostile cervical mucus will adversely affect sperm on contact.

Generally with mild side effects, Clomid’s adverse reactions may range from ovarian enlargement or hyperstimulation, hot flushes, abdominal discomfort, breast discomfort, nausea, vomiting, visual impairments, headaches or abnormal uterine bleeding.

There are potential risks however with the drug. A 1994 study cites a connection with an increase in risk of ovarian cancer in women who took clomiphene (Clomid) for 12 or more months. Additionally, there are a number of women using Clomid without the advice of a medical professional who are not the right candidates for this med, thus reducing their potential to conceive.

Determining the cause, symptoms and odds of miscarriage

For the latest pregnancy, health and conception tips visit Cindy Ferda’s National Examiner column here.

Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week; usually occurring before the 12th week during the first trimester. The chances of miscarriage increase considerably as a woman ages. Some studies even suggest pregnancies from men older than 40 increases the odds of miscarriage as well. A miscarriage may occur because the embryo or fetus isn’t developing properly due to chromosomal abnormalities.

Signs and symptoms of miscarriage

Spotting or bleeding
Abdomen or lower back pain
Cramps
Vaginal fluid or tissue discharge
Fever (usually due to septic miscarriage)
Chills (usually due to septic miscarriage)
Body aches and pains (usually due to septic miscarriage)
Thick discharge with foul odor (usually due to septic miscarriage)

Causes of miscarriage

Miscarriage typically occurs due to embryonic abnormalities during the division and growth of the embryo during the first 12 weeks; not usually due to inherited issues from the parents. In some cases though, a mother with uncontrolled diabetes, uterine and cervix issues, thyroid disease, infections or hormonal problems may be at more of a risk of miscarriage.

Intrauterine Fetal Demise occurs when an embryo is present but there is no heartbeat and the embryo has died before there are any signs of miscarriage/pregnancy loss. This may be due to chromosomal and/or genetic abnormalities. This usually occurs during the first trimester.

Blighted Ovum is a very common cause of miscarriage, occurring when a fertilized egg develops a placenta and membrane but no embryo. This usually transpires during the first trimester.

Molar Pregnancy is more of a rarity and occurs in approximately 1 in 1000 pregnancies. Also known as Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, it is an abnormality of the placenta caused by an issue or problem at fertilization where the placenta develops into a fast-growing mass of cysts that may or may not contain an embryo.

Invasive prenatal testing such as CVS (chorionic villus sampling) and/or amniocentesis carry a slight risk of miscarriage. Smoking or consuming alcohol or drugs increases the risk of miscarriage greatly.

Determining miscarriage at the doctor’s office

During a pelvic exam, your doctor will check for cervical dilation. An ultrasound checks for the heartbeat and development of the embryo. Blood tests provide levels of the pregnancy hormone HCG and determination of placental tissue passing. If you have passed tissue and bring it in to your OB/GYN, it can be sent to the lab to confirm miscarriage.

Common medical miscarriage terms

Threatened Miscarriage occurs if you are spotting or bleeding but your cervix has not dilated. Some pregnancies remain viable even though they may be threatened initially.

Inevitable Miscarriage occurs when you are bleeding, your uterus is contracting and your cervix is dilated. Miscarriage is inevitable.

Incomplete Miscarriage occurs when some placental/fetal material passes but some remains in uterine.

Missed Miscarriage occurs when the placental/embryonic tissue remains but the embryo has died or not formed.

Complete Miscarriage is the most common of miscarriages. All pregnancy tissues have passed. Usually takes place within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. The entire process may take up to four weeks if done naturally.

Septic Miscarriage is when an infection develops within the uterus. A severe infection, this must be handled by medical professionals immediately. Some signs include severe abdominal pain, fever, chills and vomiting.

Medical and surgical miscarriage treatment

After medically confirming pregnancy loss or the inevitable loss, there are medical treatments available that speed up the process and get one back on track quicker like oral medications or vaginal ointments to expel all remaining pregnancy tissue. Some side effects may include nausea, cramps and diarrhea. About 70% of women will bring miscarriage to a close within 24-48 hours.

A surgical procedure called suction dilation and curettage also known as D and C dilates your cervix and suctions the non-viable pregnancy tissues. Uterine walls may be gently scraped of unnecessary tissue as well. To stop the bleeding, a D and C procedure might be necessary for some women.

Recovery

After a miscarriage, whether natural or with medical assistance, recovery time varies. For some it may only be hours, for others a few days to weeks. Generally a period will return within 4-6 weeks. Women must watch for signs of infection throughout recovery and consult a doctor immediately if symptoms develop like fever, chills, severe pain and/or heavier than normal bleeding. Additionally, doctors advise no tampons, douching or sex for two weeks following a miscarriage.

Pregnancy after miscarriage

Most OB/GYN’s recommend waiting one menstrual cycle after a miscarriage to try and conceive again; however it is possible to become pregnant before the next cycle.

Doctors advise additional testing for women who have experienced two or more miscarriages to identify underlying problems and/or abnormalities. After addressing issues, more than 60% of women will go on to deliver healthy babies.

Lowering the risks of neural tube defects during pregnancy

For the latest FREE pregnancy, health and conception tips also visit www.GetPregnantQuickandNaturally .com

Neural tube defects (NTD) like spina bifida and anencephaly are one of the most common birth defects today. Affecting the brain and spinal cord of a fetus, this can occur before a woman even realizes she is pregnant.

The health of a fetus and the mother are always the top priorities during pregnancy and although maintaining good health habits statistically reduces the risk of birth defects, the possibility of birth defects cannot be completely eliminated.

When an opening in the brain or spinal cord occurs early in the embryo’s development, it is known as NTD. The cord of the embryo begins to develop and roll into a tube approximately 28 days after the baby is conceived and with normal development, the cord will close. When the neural tube does not close completely, an open NTD occurs.

According to a published report by Duke University, NTD are one of the most common birth defects in America and occur in approximately one in one-thousand live births.

One of the best ways a woman can combat this risk is by taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acidbefore she is pregnant.

The FDA has recognized the serious nature of NTD and taken action by requiring many foods like breads, grains and cereals to be fortified with folic acid in an effort to battle this defect.

Folic acid, a synthetic form of folate and from one of the Vitamin B categories, is considered by many the most important supplement a woman can take during pregnancy.

It has become common knowledge that folic acid is essential in the development of a healthy baby.

Studies have shown that by taking folic acid in the recommended dose, usually 800 mcg to 1000 mcg, a woman can decrease her risk of a neural tube defect by up to 70%.

Depending upon family history of NTD, the dosage may vary.

Folic acid may also play a role in decreasing the risks for other serious birth defects such as cleft palate, congenital heart defects and chronic disease conditions such as heart disease, several cancers and Alzheimer’s disease.

The elimination of caffeine, alcohol and nicotine during pregnancyis of course an obvious choice by women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, but the addition of folic acid must be integrated into a daily routine immediately to help stave off neural tube defects.

Prenatal vitamins essential to get pregnant

Get pregnant by adding prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins are an essential part of the equation for pregnant women and those attempting to conceive. Maintaining proper levels of folic acid, calcium and iron as well as many other nutrients while carrying a fetus will provide the best possible health results for a baby and mother prior to delivery.

Studies indicate that low folic acid levels can cause severe birth defectsof the brain and spinal cord called neural tube defects. Low folic acid levels may even reduce the chance of a woman carrying to term.

Many women who are trying to get pregnant and not taking a prenatal vitamin find their levels well below the suggested safe levels recommended by the FDA.

They spend the first several weeks of pregnancy with unsafe levels of these nutrients in their systems increasing their risks of having a baby born with birth defects.

With this in mind, anyone even considering pregnancy should be taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 800 mcg of folic acid each day. For women with low folate levels, of advanced age or who are experiencing fertility issues, doctors may recommend a prescription prenatal vitamin that contains 1000 mcg for a more aggressive approach.

The most important nutrient in a prenatal vitamin is folic acid. Folate can also be found in green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans and citrus fruits. The FDA requires that many flour products such as breads, buns and bagels be fortified with extra folic acid. Breakfast cereals and fortified enriched grain products offer the nutrient as well.

Calcium is another important nutrient in a prenatal vitamin. A growing fetus consumes much of the mother’s calcium during pregnancy; thus creating a low level in the mother’s system that may result in bone density loss and increase the chance of osteoporosis later in life. Calcium can also be found in dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt. Many juices are now fortified with calcium as well.

Iron is also an essential nutrient for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. The mother’s body creates additional amounts of blood during pregnancy to support a growing baby. With a higher volume of blood present in her system she needs supplemental iron to maintain a healthy level throughout her blood supply. Keeping a healthy level of iron lowers the risk in pregnant women of developing iron-deficiency anemia. Natural sources of iron include meat, fish and poultry. Other sources of iron may include beans, dried fruits, whole grains, fortified cereals and enriched breads.

Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, niacin and zinc are also found in a prenatal vitamin tablet. Although most experts agree that proper levels of folic acid, calcium and iron are most essential in carrying a healthy baby to term, these other vitamins are important as well.

Some women taking prenatal vitamins have experienced mild side effects like constipation and nausea. The constipation may be caused by the iron supplement. Drinking more water than usual may ease the constipation. Nausea can be reduced by taking the prenatal vitamin with food later in the day.

Secrets of conception

Whether you are 25 or 45, conceiving a baby can often be challenging for many couples. Medical professionals, fertility experts and women who have successfully conceived offer the following advice. While some factors remain beyond ones control, making a few modifications and choosing appropriate conception aid tools may be just the ticket to pregnancy.

Discontinue birth control pills

Use alternative methods of birth control other than birth control pills for at least two months until you are ready to begin trying to conceive. Studies indicate a woman’s ovulation and menstrual cycle will be back on track within a few months after discontinuing the use of birth control pills and begin ovulating normally soon thereafter.

Birth control pills are also known to thicken cervical mucus and may prevent sperm from joining with an egg. Cervical mucus usually needs to return to its normal thickness before successfully conceiving.

Stop smoking

According to the American Heart and Lung Association, women who smoke may reduce their chances of conceiving by 40% and their chances of miscarriage increase as well. Additionally, lower birth weight may result.

In other research by fertility experts, a recent Canadian study found a higher incidence of mutations in the sperm of men who use tobacco products. Marijuana use at the time of conception or during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, birth defects and ectopic pregnancy.

Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regime

Studies across the nation cite women who maintain a proper body weight mass by eating properly and exercising increase their chances of conceiving. Maintaining a good balance will help you later on during pregnancy and labor as well.

Additional research suggested women who are under weight may reduce their chances of fertility and conception, too.

Women who maintain healthy insulin levels are more likely to ovulate normally than those with insulin-resistance or diabetes. Moderate exercise of 30 minutes each day can improve insulin levels.

If you eat processed foods or knowingly consume foods with trans fats, switch to whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Co-authors Walter Willet, M.D. and Jorge Chavarro, M.D. conducted the latest Nurses Study II monitoring health issues on 18,500 nurses; including fertility-related issues. They tell us the right diet can improve your chances of getting pregnant by 66%. One delicious perk includes regularly consuming a full-fat dairy product like ice cream. This may boost your fertility by a whopping 22%. Hello Ben & Jerry’s!

Cut the caffeine

There is conflicting research available regarding moderate to heavy amounts of caffeine.
Play it safe and avoid the caffeine. Once pregnant, caffeine may also be detrimental to the unborn child.

Cut the alcohol

The U.S. Surgeon General warns women should not drink alcohol while pregnant because of the risk of birth defects. With this in mind, women who are attempting to conceive often do not know they are pregnant for at least a month.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a critical factor worth considering when deciding to drink alcoholic beverages while attempting to get pregnant. FAS is an irreversible condition which slows the growth of vital organs in the baby due to the effects of alcohol.

The risk of fetal alcohol syndrome is greatest during the first trimester of pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the few causes of mental retardation that is preventable, yet it remains a common cause according to a report from the Mayo Clinic.

Ovulation…Know your best days

By tracking your menstrual cycle and becoming familiar with your ovulationyou will increase your chances significantly of becoming pregnant.

Investing in a Basal body temp thermometer (BBT) and charting your temp may be the answer to conception. Ovulation predictor kits offer amazing accuracy in tracking your most fertile 24-36 hours.

Prenatal Vitamins

To create a healthy environment for both you and your baby it is essential to take the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals, especially folic acid and calcium.

Prenatal vitamins generally contain 800 mcg of folic acid and 200 mg of calcium. Your Physician may recommend you begin this regimen ahead of time with 800 – 1000 mcg of folic acid to prepare your body for pregnancy.

Occupational Hazards

It is important for women trying to conceive to limit their exposure to occupational hazards such as biological agents (i.e. Rubella, Tuberculosis, Chickenpox, Herpes Simplex, HIV, Hepatitis B and Toxoplasma). Rubella, for example can infect and damage the growing fetus and cause miscarriage, deafness and even cataracts. If the pregnant worker has had the vaccination or disease itself, she is likely to be immune.

Physical hazards such as extreme temperatures, vibration and hyperbaric atmospheres are known to be a threat as well. Women exposed to high doses of radiation, especially x-rays should limit their exposure. Birth defects have been found in children born to women exposed to very high doses of radiation.

Stay away from solvents, dangerous pharmaceuticals and metals such as lead and mercury. Watch out for any label or data which carry the codes R46, R61, R63 and R64.

Finally, the risks from stress are well established and are associated with raised blood pressure which is dangerous for pregnant women and associated with infertility.

Pregnancy hazards in the workplace

For the millions of working women across the globe who are trying to get pregnant each year, it is imperative they know their workplace.

In recent findings by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up 46% (sixty-seven million) of the workforce in the United States alone, and of these women there is a sizeable amount each year that are already pregnant or trying to conceive.

Within the workplace, many women are likely to be exposed to some type of occupational hazard that may impair conception or risk the health of an unborn child. Excessive levels of exposure to the following hazards may increase the chance of birth defects and miscarriage and may lead to fertility problems in an otherwise healthy individual.

Environmental Hazards – Common everyday exposures we usually ignore should be recognized during pregnancy. These include air-pollutants, mold and asbestos, extreme temperatures, excessive noise levels, and second-hand cigarette smoke.

Chemical Hazards – The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding certain ethylene glycol ethers such as 2-ethoxyethanol (2EE) and 2-methoxyethanol (2ME) since they may cause miscarriage. Lead should also be avoided as exposure at certain levels may cause infertility, miscarriage, low birth weight, and developmental disorders. Homes and workplaces built prior to 1978 also may contain lead paint. Other solvents, pharmaceuticals and metals such as mercury are of concern as well. Learn about the effects of the products with a label or data that carries the codes R46, R61, R63 and R64 to name a few.

At least one study has cited women who work in nail and hair salons, dry cleaning establishments, medical laboratories and manufacturing plants place their unborn child at risk of birth defects due to malodorous chemical solvents. Common everyday solvents and chemicals women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should limit their skin and vaporous odor contact to are bleaches, hair color, artificial nail powders, nail polish remover, aerosol hair spray and chemical depilatories.

Women who work with solvents called glycol ethers, present in some paints, have an increased risk of miscarriage. Other solvents also suspected of causing miscarriage and birth defects include oil-based paints and paint thinners. It is wise to remember that all paints; even water-based; include several ingredients of unknown safety. Use proper respiratory protection at all times to avoid hazardous vapors. Remain in a well-ventilated area.

According to a report by the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program, three out of four women are exposed to pesticides. The perfect scenario would be to avoid these pesticides, but limiting your exposure will decrease your chances of having it affect conception, pregnancy and delivery of a healthy baby. Additionally, it is wise to be cautious of “organic” pesticides as many are derived from the same plants as the non-organic pesticides; and they too are cause for concern.

Radiation – High doses of radiation are known to lead to miscarriage or embryonic damage. Federal laws have been put in place to protect unborn babies and their mothers. The laws (NRC 10 CFR 20.1208) state that radiation exposure cannot exceed 0.5 rem at any time during a woman’s pregnancy. Radiation from an x-ray is known to affect cell division and cause defects. Since cells divide quickly as an embryo develops, it is more vulnerable to radiation.

Exposure to natural radiation while flying is generally insignificant for the average person each year. For those who are flight attendants, pilots and business travelers who fly the skies hundreds of times a year, there is only a slightly higher risk to the developing fetus. Some experts however, recommend limiting flying time during the first trimester.

Some new studies indicate concerns over cell phone use and the radiation from the batteries within; but further studies need to be explored.

Biological Agents – Biological agents are most prevalent in the workplaces of hospitals, educational institutions and daycare. Women in these workplaces may be exposed to many harmful bio-agents including, influenza, rubella, tuberculosis, chickenpox, herpes simplex, HIV and Hepatitis B.

Some of the above agents occur only once in a woman’s lifetime, so if a woman has experienced chickenpox for example, she normally will be immune to any reoccurrence.

Stress – The risks from job stress are well established and are associated with raised blood pressure which is dangerous for pregnant women and sometimes associated with infertility.

Millions of women each year work throughout their entire pregnancy and go on to deliver healthy babies. By being aware of hazards ahead of time and taking precautionary measures, women can usually remedy any potential hazard.

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