Lead is toxic and especially harmful to the nervous system. It can pass through the placenta of a pregnant woman to the baby . It can also pass through breast milk to the baby.

How can i reduce my lead exposure during pregnancy ?

You can lower your exposure to this metal before and during pregnancy by knowing  the sources of lead.

• about  75% of homes built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint.If you’re  fixing an older home containing lead based  paint, make sure the people working follow safety  procedures to protect you and your family from lead exposure
• if you work with lead at your job or  as a hobby such as making jewelry or stained glass, have your health care provider check your lead level
• eat regular  meals. It is easy for environmental lead to be absorbed in  your blood stream if you have an empty stomach
• if you live   in a house that uses well water, you should have the water checked regularly  for this metal  and other possible contaminants.
• it is important of pregnant women to eat a balanced diet and take prenatal vitamins. This is because diet poor in calcium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and zinc is associated with increased lead absorption in the blood stream
• It is also important to know some of the sources of lead in your home. These include :
  • old painted toys and some new toys and jewelry
  • lead crystal glassware and some ceramic dishes
  • some arts and crafts supplies, including oil paints, ceramic glazes and stained glass materials
  • make up such as such as lipstick, that has surma or kohl in it
  • candy from Mexico know as Chaca chaca
  • some canned foods from outside the United States. Do not eat these

You should know that lead in pencil is not the same as the metal lead.  It is actually a substance called graphite. So you should not be concerned when  exposed to it.

What is the effect of lead on my baby ?

High levels of this metal  during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. Other pregnancy complications you may encounter include the following :

• low birth weight
• premature delivery

Babies who have been  exposed  can encounter learning and behavioral disabilities. However it is unlikely for lead exposure during pregnancy to cause significant increase in the chances  of having a child with physical birth defect.

What if I’m  breastfeeding ?

Babies of breastfeeding mothers with high blood level of this metal  should be closely monitored.

A blood test needs to be performed  within two weeks of baseline measurement and then at least on a monthly basis:

For babies with a blood lead level of 5 µg/dL or greater or rising: An environmental assessment is recommended.
For babies with a blood lead level that stays below 10 µg/dL: Breastfeeding should continue.

How is lead tested ?

A blood test is used determine how much of this metal  is present. Most people will have the metal  in their system however it needs to be addressed if the level is greater than 5 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL) .

The Centers for Disease Control and prevention CDC recommends blood testing  for women and nursing moms  with high risk of exposure to this metal. They include :

• living near a source of this metal  such as mines, home remodeling , battery recycling plant
• recent immigration from areas with high lead contamination
• using lead contaminating cosmetics
• people whose work exposes them to this metal  such as painters or working in the lead industry
• environmental exposures such as soil, water or  food contaminated with lead
• using herbal or other alternative medicine
• cooking or storing in a lead glazed pottery