The following are some of the more common infections that can create concerns if a woman is exposed to them during her pregnancy. We have dealt with sexually transmitted infections and herpes in other sections.
Chicken pox (varicella), shingles
Cytomegalovirus (or CMV)
Hepatitis A, B and C
Listeriosis
Measles
Mumps
Parvovirus (B19 - 5th disease or slapped cheek syndrome)
Rubella (German measles)
Toxoplasmosis
Lead exposure
Lead is a metal, which is found in many day to day products and in many places in our environment. However, lead poisoning can cause many serious long term health problems, especially for babies and young children. Lead can accumulate in the human body and is mainly stored in the bones. A woman's body changes during pregnancy and when she is breastfeeding. These changes can allow any previously stored lead in her bones to be released and possibly passed on to the unborn or breastfeeding baby. If the levels are high enough to cause lead poisoning, there may be increased risks of miscarriage, premature birth, the baby being stillborn.
The risks of exposing an unborn or breastfeeding baby can be increased if the woman's diet does not have adequate calcium, iron and zinc. This is because lead is absorbed more easily if the body lacks these essential minerals.
Radiation and electromagnetic fields
Radiation and electromagnetic field emissions have become a virtually inescapable part of our modern environment. The information we have currently available about the effects of these exposures and their possible effects on a woman's pregnancy or her unborn baby, are well known in some areas but not fully understood in others. The fast development of new technologies means they often become part of our lives long before we have a chance to fully evaluate them.
VDU's, microwaves
X-rays and CT Scans
MRI's
VDU's, microwaves.