Frequently Asked Questions about Lead Poisoning for Pregnant Women
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How can lead reach my unborn baby?
Lead, through ingesting lead paint chips or inhaling lead dust, can be stored in your bones for many years. When you are pregnant, that lead can be released into your bloodstream, where it can get passed along to your unborn child early in the pregnancy. In this way, your unborn child can be lead poisoned even if you never had any symptoms.
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What are the effects of lead in my unborn child?
Moderate levels of lead can cause low birth weight and premature delivery. High levels of lead can cause stillbirth and miscarriage.
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What are the possible effects of lead poisoning to my child after birth?
By being exposed to lead prior to birth, your child can have a myriad of symptoms after he or she is born. Your child is not at a higher risk of having any physical disabilities by being exposed to lead. However, there is a greater chance that your child will suffer learning and behavioral disabilities such as mental retardation and hyperactivity.
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Should I breastfeed my child if I have been exposed to lead?
Your doctor is the best reference for this question. According to the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists, who study the effects that medications and other chemicals can have on a fetus, “a mother should not stop breastfeeding unless her blood lead level is very high.”
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Should there be concern if the father of the baby is exposed?
Lead can change the shape and size of sperm making becoming pregnant more difficult. Fathers can also get lead dust on their clothing while at work and bring it home with them. If a pregnant woman touches contaminated clothing, she and the unborn child will be exposed to lead. It is strongly recommended that the father keep the contaminated clothing and any other articles away from the home.
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What can I do to protect myself and my unborn child?
a) Get early prenatal care: Let your doctor know if you have or may have been exposed to lead in the past or currently. Your doctor will have you take a blood test to measure your blood lead levels and treat accordingly. b) Eat healthy foods everyday: When a person eats a well-balanced diet, his or her body is less affected by lead. Food rich in calcium and zinc help keep lead from being absorbed in your blood stream. c) Have someone wash floors, windowsills and other dusty places with a wet mop or cloth: Cleaning surfaces with fluids is a great way to control dust and to keep it from contaminating you or other people.
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