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Safety Before Beauty

Personal Care Products and Pregnancy

By Teri Brown

"Some of the phthalates found in personal care products are suspected developmental toxicants," says Dr. Natan. "Again, any one of these products might not cause problems, but phthalates were found in 10 of the 24 personal care products we tested, and none of those products listed phthalates on the label."

Dr. Natan is quick to point out that he does not want to make it seem as though there is danger lurking in every bottle. "A good rule to follow is to use as few products as you need, and use as little of them as you can," says Dr. Natan. "Read the warning labels, and use them as directed."

According to Dr. Natan, it is the cumulative effect that may cause problems. Using one product that contains a small amount of suspicious chemicals probably does not pose a threat to a developing baby, but if you are using 10 products a day that all contain a small amount of the same chemical, you may be putting your baby at risk.

Awareness is the key to making informed choices about what we expose ourselves and our unborn children to. The following tips will help limit overexposure to any one chemical:

• Try organic alternatives to basic personal care products. Your local health food store can point you in the right direction.
• Use only small amounts of your favorite products or consider using them every other day.
• Go for the natural look for a while! Cut down on the amount of makeup you use – the baby won't care anyway!

Want to see more?

• The Bed Rest Blues: Moms Share Their Tips on How to Survive
• Being a Laid-back Mama: Beating Stress is Good for Expectant Moms
• Just for Fun: Pregnancy Video Guide
• Talk about it!

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