« Media reports in the UK | Main | Amazing what you can learn here...... »

Not so frequently asked questions

I am often impressed by the trouble some women will take to avoid hazards during their pregnancies. The desire to have a healthy baby is a powerful motivator for women and many will go to sometimes extraordinary lengths to protect their unborn baby.

A woman phoned me today wanting to know who she could contact to have her microwave oven checked for any leakage of microwaves that might pose a danger to her as yet unconceived child. This was a question I had not been asked before and I had to quickly think of possible leads for her. In the end I suggested she contact the Australian Consumers Association because they test all kinds of household products, especially electrical appliances, and surely one of their technical staff could answer this question for her.

I would think the risk from microwave ovens would be negligible and there would be far greater concern about exposure to the chemicals that we ingest in various ways every day. Recent reports in the UK suggested that aerosol air fresheners and deodorants etc could be behind the rise in several childhood illnesses, including allergies. We live in a potentially toxic world and avoiding hazards can be difficult, given our lifestyle choices and living environments.

Good luck to the woman who called me - I hope she is reassured by the information that she is able to obtain. To be really sure of keeping her unborn baby safe however, she may have to consider living in an isolation bubble, avoiding many foods, contact with other people and lead a spartan, basic existence. On the other hand, babies are remarkable resilient and exposure the chemical cocktail in which we live, even if filtered through to the womb, may help them better prepare for life on this planet. I’m sure that this mother will do her best and that her baby will achieve its potential according to Nature’s grand plan.

As I said to my newest staff member - working for Birth International can be a challenge when we try help people with all kinds of questions. Working here will definitely broaden your outlook and encourage lateral thinking!

Posted by andrea at October 28, 2004 01:08 PM

Post a comment