Pregnancy is a period filled with joy, excitement, and meticulous care. Mothers-to-be, during this period, think of all the ways to keep themselves and their unborn child healthy and happy. You might be doing that, too.
Swapping out caffeine for herbal tea and stocking up on prenatal vitamins sounds like a good start. However, one aspect that often flies under the radar is the quality of the drinking water. Ninety-five percent of the drinking water in the U.S. contains toxic contaminants at unsafe levels. That was discovered by a study led by Johnnye Lewis of the University of New Mexico (UNM).
Imagine the harm your unborn child would suffer if you drank water contaminated with harmful substances. Prenatal exposure to contaminated drinking water can cause serious complications, from miscarriage and stillbirth to congenital anomalies. Thus, steering clear of them is important.
In this article, we’ll discuss a few water contaminants you should avoid during pregnancy.
#1 Lead
Lead—a toxic heavy metal—is a well-documented neurotoxin. Exposure to this chemical in the prenatal period can interfere with the developing brain of your unborn child and result in functional impairment.
It often leaches into tap water through old, corroded plumbing systems. Your home’s pipes could be corroded. Or, the pipes that bring water to your neighborhood might cause lead to enter your tap water.
Exposure to lead, even at low levels, can lead to serious complications. Per the findings of the CDC, lead exposure in the prenatal period can increase the risk of miscarriage. It can also cause the baby to be born too small or too early, lead to behavior or learning problems, and hurt the brain, kidneys, and nervous system.
Another study published in the JAMA Network suggests that prenatal exposure to lead, along with genetic factors, might contribute to cognitive developmental delay (CDD).
To safeguard against lead exposure, have your water tested, especially if you live in a house built before 1978. Also, consider using a water filter to remove lead from your drinking water so that you and your unborn baby receive clean and safe drinking water.
#2 Trichloroethylene
Trichloroethylene, or TCE, is a volatile organic compound commonly found in industrial solvents, degreasers, and household products. Exposure to this chemical during pregnancy has been associated with adverse health effects, including birth defects and developmental abnormalities.
During an NIEHS lecture, an assistant professor of environmental health at San Diego State University, Elana Elkin, revealed that TCE exposure can contribute to low birth weight. Maternal exposure to TCE can cause abnormal development of embryo hearts, resulting in various defects. These include atrioventricular tube malformations, atrial septal defects, and ventricular septal defects.
The Camp Lejeune water contamination tragedy deserves mention in this regard. The military base’s water was contaminated with TCE along with more than a dozen VOCs between 1953 and 1987. Children who were conceived and born at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune during this period had congenital heart defects.
About 500 Camp Lejeune plaintiffs have experienced birth defects, which included cardiac birth defects. Possible complications with this condition, TorHoerman Law explains, include blood clots and stroke, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and cyanosis or bluish tint on the baby’s lips, skin, and nails.
More than a thousand veterans and civilians have filed the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit since the passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. According to a recent Reuters publication, about 1,500 lawsuits and 150,000 administrative claims have been filed.
It further revealed that the first trials over contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune may take place this year. The settlement amount for Camp Lejeune, legal experts estimate, can range between $10,000 and over $1,000,000 per claim.
If you live in areas where TCE contamination is widespread, you should take precautions to minimize exposure. This may include using activated carbon filtration, which effectively removes TCE and alternative water sources, such as bottled water.
#3 Arsenic
Arsenic is another contaminant found in drinking water. This naturally occurring element seeps into the groundwater from natural deposits in the earth’s crust or through the discharge of industrial and agricultural waste products.
In an animal study, it was observed that prenatal arsenic exposure in males can adversely affect the immunometabolism of offspring. This, in turn, can promote kidney damage later in life.
The findings of a study published by NIH disclosed that expectant women exposed to >100 mcg/L of arsenic are more likely to experience stillbirth and miscarriage. The study further disclosed that in-utero arsenic exposure displayed congenital anomalies in fetuses. Prenatal exposure to arsenic also increases the risk of stillbirth and might cause low birth weight.
You must prioritize regular testing to monitor arsenic levels, especially if you rely on well water, which is more susceptible to arsenic contamination. Also, install a water filtration system, such as reverse osmosis. It can effectively remove arsenic from drinking water.
To wrap things up, maintaining good hydration is essential during pregnancy. But the quality of the water you drink matters just as much as the quantity. Water contaminants such as lead, TCE, and arsenic can harm your health and that of your unborn baby.
Consider testing your water sources and invest in certified water filtration systems. Boil water before drinking, or buy bottled water to ensure you drink clean and safe water throughout pregnancy. These proactive measures will help you mitigate exposure to water contaminants while ensuring a healthy pregnancy.