Endocrine disruptors and pregnancy: how to protect mom and baby?
Laboratoire AiméePregnancy is a unique and precious time. But it is also a period that requires vigilance, with new habits to adopt to protect the life growing inside us.
The threats are many, but here, we will talk about endocrine disruptors; these invisible enemies capable of influencing our hormonal balance. They are present in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the furniture we touch, the cosmetics we use… from the very beginning of pregnancy, they must be tracked, eliminated, and minimized in our daily lives because they can significantly disrupt the development of the unborn baby.
So, how can you reduce exposure to these substances while continuing to take care of yourself and fully enjoy motherhood? Let’s explore together the right actions to protect both mother and child with complete peace of mind.
Why are endocrine disruptors dangerous during pregnancy?
Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to confirmed endocrine disruptors. These substances can cross the placental barrier and accumulate in the umbilical cord blood or amniotic fluid from the very start of pregnancy. While the placenta partially filters, it does not block everything and can even trap certain compounds, such as bisphenol A.
These molecules mimic or block the action of hormones, disrupt their binding to receptors, or alter hormone production, transport, and elimination. The fetal liver, still immature, cannot neutralize these intruders. The effects of endocrine disruptors can be varied: neurological development disorders, obesity, diabetes, hormone-dependent cancers, endocrine diseases…
Research conducted by ANSES in France confirms the role of certain persistent organic pollutants (PCBs, pesticides, PFAS) and chemical compounds like phthalates or bisphenol. These substances, sometimes considered endocrine disruptors, persist in our bodies for months or even years, with consequences that can affect several generations. Exposure before pregnancy can also influence the ability to conceive, in both women and men, as shown by research on the link between endocrine disruptors and fertility.
Main sources of exposure to avoid
Disruptors hide in very common products, sometimes even associated with softness and care:
- Endocrine-disrupting cosmetics: preservatives (parabens), chemical sunscreens (benzophenone), fragrance agents
- Plastics: containing bisphenol A or phthalates, found in packaging and accessories
- Household products: some detergents include harmful chemical compounds
- Food: pesticides and organic pollutants in fruits, vegetables, and processed products
These substances enter the body orally, through respiration, and through the skin.
As a pregnant woman, learning to avoid endocrine disruptors is a conscious choice for yourself and your child, reducing exposure and better preventing the harmful effects of endocrine disruptors on fetal development. Choosing simple and natural alternatives becomes a protective and committed act for a serene motherhood.
What precautions should be taken during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, simplicity becomes your ally. To limit exposure to endocrine disruptors, favor organic food, peel fruits and vegetables, and soak them in water with baking soda. Avoid ready-made meals: home cooking remains the best option.
To act concretely, it is useful to understand how these substances enter our bodies. Food, skin, breathing… each entry route requires adapted habits. And since some exposure remains unavoidable, it can also be helpful to know the actions that help the body eliminate endocrine disruptors.
Here are the main protective actions to adopt daily:
- Orally: use glass or stainless steel containers to store and reheat your meals. Avoid plastics, especially in the microwave. Filter water if possible to reduce chemical residues.
- Through the skin: carefully read labels and decode the INCI list of products to choose better. Prefer natural care products formulated with safe ingredients, especially for anti-stretch mark creams, serums, and massage oils. Choose those with a short ingredient list containing neither complicated words nor vague terms like “fragrance.”
- Through respiration: air out your home twice a day to limit persistent organic pollutants. Remove air fresheners, synthetic and scented candles, which you can replace with our natural home fragrances and candles, free of any toxic products. This vigilance also applies to daily body perfumes, which can also contain problematic substances, including endocrine disruptors found in conventional perfumes, such as certain phthalates or synthetic musks, still common in these formulations. Also avoid painting before, during, and for some time after pregnancy to protect your child from chemical compounds released by paint. If you must, choose natural paint and rely on labels to support your choice. You can also equip yourself with an air purifier.
Regulation and vigilance in France
In France, the national strategy on endocrine disruptors aims to reduce exposure of pregnant women by limiting certain compounds in food containers, toys, and baby products. The ban on bisphenol A in baby bottles and certain phthalates in toys marks important progress. However, many chemical substances remain present in our daily lives, notably in some cosmetics, textiles, and packaging. The regulation on endocrine disruptors is advancing, but it is not yet sufficient.
Individual vigilance remains essential to avoid the effects of endocrine disruptors and protect the health of women and future generations.
Protecting your baby after birth
Endocrine disruptors are harmful at any age, but especially during developmental periods, and a newborn is just beginning development at birth, with their hormonal system still forming.
After delivery:
- Choose products free of controversial chemical substances, whether baby care products, laundry detergents, or cleaning products.
- Wash new clothes at least once before use to remove dye and textile finishing residues.
- Maintain healthy air by limiting synthetic fragrances, airing out twice a day, and avoiding scented candles or sprays. If possible, use an air purifier.
- Favor toys without phthalates or bisphenol A, often found in plastics.
Also read: Everything you need to know about endocrine disruptors in children
Choosing products free of endocrine disruptors is a conscious decision that connects health, well-being, and the environment. When every action reflects your values, motherhood becomes a journey of love for yourself, your baby, and the Earth.
Aimée de Mars supports you with creations respectful of life, free from suspected endocrine disruptors, organic pollutants, and unnecessary ingredients.
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