This sheet is about exposure to insect repellents in a pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What are insect repellents? Insect repellents are lotions, sprays, or oils that are put on skin or clothing to lower the chance of bites from mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and spiders (“insects”). Insects can carry serious diseases such as malaria, Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. Having any …
The Baby Blog: Other Common Exposures
Lead
This sheet is about exposure to lead during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is lead and where is it found? Lead is a heavy metal. It can be found in many places, such as: soil, water, cosmetics, children’s & costume jewelry, old paint, plumbing, batteries, bullets, solders, and gasoline. Lead can leach out of pipes into drinking water. Living near metal smelters or mining …
Exercise
This sheet is about exposure to exercise in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. Can I exercise during pregnancy? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that people who are pregnant without medical or pregnancy complications consider at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most, if not all, days of the week. You may not be able to exercise while …
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
This sheet is about exposure to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the use of contrast media for MRI in pregnancy and breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)? Magnetic resonance imaging, known as MRI, is a medical procedure used to create pictures of the inside of the body to diagnose some diseases or conditions. Pregnant people and developing babies have MRIs. An MRI can …
Capsaicin
This sheet is about exposure to capsaicin in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is capsaicin? Capsaicin is the part of peppers (Solanaceae family, capsicum genus) that makes your mouth feel hot. Capsaicin has been generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food and candy. It has been used in some cosmetics, and is the main ingredient …
