INTEGRATIVE, HOLISTIC APPROACH TO A MOTHER' S HEALTH

INTEGRATIVE, HOLISTIC APPROACH TO A MOTHER' S HEALTH

Effects of Healthy nutrition on Fetus

Pesticide use is widespread in agriculture. Several studies have shown that pesticides used in agricultural fields can contaminate the domestic environment and thus be an important source of pesticide exposure of populations residing nearby. Studies have shown that agricultural activities in the municipality of residence may have negative effects on cranial growth. Cultivation of pea crops and, to a lesser degree, potato and wheat crops, may negatively affect head circumference.

Pesticides and insecticides contain chemicals that are used to attack the nervous system of insects and cause them to die. During the first trimester of pregnancy, the nervous system of the fetus is rapidly developing, which is why a pregnant mother should avoid pesticides specifically in this timeframe even more. Some studies show that the greatest risk to exposure and harm from pesticides in from weeks 3-8 in the first trimester, when the neural tube is developing in the fetus. Being in contact with pesticides is harmful, especially during pregnancy. It may lead to miscarriages, preterm births, low birth weight, birth defects and learning problems in children. Living or working in an area with crops, you may be exposed to large amounts of pesticides. During pregnancy it is very important to avoid being exposed to pesticides. Taking precautions even when not pregnant is vital, but especially so if you are planning to be, or if you could be.

All pesticides have some level of toxicity and pose some risk during pregnancy. The risk depends on the toxicity of the pesticide ingredients and how much of the pesticide you and the baby are exposed to while pregnant. During pregnancy, the baby's brain, nervous system, and organs are developing rapidly and can be more sensitive to the toxic effects of pesticides. Because of this, it is important to minimize exposure to pesticides during pregnancy. Early exposures to environmental chemicals can result in subtle changes that affect functioning but are not evident until much later in a child's development. These subtle changes that occur during fetal development and in early childhood contribute not only to adverse neurodevelopmental and behavioral changes but also to adult diseases, including obesity and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer disease. This is why it is important to minimize exposure to potentially toxic chemicals early in a child's life.

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