How to Enjoy a Healthy, Happy, Eco-Friendly Pregnancy

Most expectant mothers are looking for ways to ensure that the environment they’re bringing a new life into is safe. They want to do everything in their power to ensure that they remain healthy and happy during the course of gestation so as to give their babies the best chance at life. To that end, finding ways to go green while you’re pregnant is a fantastic idea. Not only are you making a positive change in your own life (and protecting your unborn child from the get-go) by taking up the mantle of eco-friendly living, but you’re also taking the first steps towards a greener future for everyone. Here are just a few ways to get started.

Eat organic. These days DDT is out of the picture (thank goodness, since it is thought to cause birth defects or even miscarriage). But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other chemical pesticides and fertilizers clinging to your food. Even thorough washing leaves behind traces of these chemicals that you ingest along with your foods. And the hormones and antibiotics in meat are no picnic, either. Consider cleansing your body of these toxins, at least during pregnancy, so that your baby can avoid chemical exposure as long as possible. You might be surprised by how good fresh, organic foods make you feel (although you may want to avoid unpasteurized dairy while pregnant).

Quit the dye jobs. Most women know that they’re supposed to avoid harsh, chemical dyes (for hair) when they’re pregnant. But considering how many chemicals come in contact with your body in an average day, you may be fooling yourself if you think you can protect your baby simply by cutting out this one thing. The truth is, it’s a good idea to stop dying your hair (with chemical dyes), but you also need to take a look at other products you’re using and change them up, as well. Soap, shampoo, hair products, makeup, lotions, laundry detergent, and household cleaners all contain chemicals that can enter your body through respiration or skin contact. Even your clothing may have chemicals lurking in the fibers. So make an effort to go organic with all of your products if you want to do the most to protect the health of your unborn child.

Go green in the nursery. There are many ways to create an eco-friendly nursery before you bring home baby. Use low- or no-VOC paint, reclaimed furnishings (or those manufactured with green materials), and organic linens. This will make for a beautiful bedroom that is less likely to cause your infant harm.

Throw a green shower. Eco-friendly baby showers are all the rage lately, so start by sending out Evites (skip the paper), cater with organic hors d’oeuvres, play verbal games, and ask guests for items like cloth diapers and gift cards to green baby stores.

Home birth. The last thing you can do to make your pregnancy green is deliver your child the old-fashioned way: at home. Secure the services of a midwife and think about doing a water birth, which many women claim is a more relaxing and comfortable method of enduring labor and delivery. You can enjoy a happy and healthy pregnancy that also does less to harm the Earth, while at the same time creating a chemical-free environment that’s better for your whole family. And what expectant mother doesn’t want that?