In our digital age, it is easy to find an abundant amount of information for every stage of your pregnancy. While most of the content you find can be informative and reassuring, there are bound to be articles that can make you nervous or cause you to worry needlessly. So which information should you trust… and which can you toss?
Los Angeles obstetrician Anthony Chin, MD, went through a list of potential concerns and dissected each one.
ULTRASOUNDS Internet Findings: An August 7, 2006, Reuters article states that, “Ultrasound disrupts the brain development of unborn mice, U.S. researchers said in a study published on Monday that adds to growing evidence that too many ultrasound scans could also affect human fetuses.”
Dr. Chin: This study has been making the rounds, and although its effects should not be ignored, there are several reasons why the authors stress that this data should not be translated to human fetuses. First, prolonged ultrasounds of this sort are not done on human fetal brains. Second, human brain tissue is much denser and larger. Third, migration of cerebral cortex cells stop migrating in the first half of the pregnancy, and finally, there is an unknown effect of what neuronal migration actually does to mice.
The bottom line is that research that pertains to animals does not necessarily pertain to humans. Actually there has been no study definitely linking ultrasound in pregnancy to any negative outcome. If there were any, we would cease to do ultrasounds in pregnancy. There have been studies that actually show a benefit to ultrasound such as increasing language testing ability, but also the study is not definitive.
Given the unknown element, frivolous or social ultrasounds especially by non-medical personnel should be avoided, but as the authors of this study note, “I want to emphasize that our study in mice does not mean that use of ultrasound on human fetuses for appropriate diagnostic and medical purposes should be abandoned. On the contrary; ultrasound has been shown to be very beneficial in the medical context.”
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS Internet Findings: On Mercola.com, possible symptoms of aspartame consumption are listed (from the Aspartame Consumer Safety Network Fact Sheet), along with a suggestion that, “Consumption by pregnant women and children under 7 is not recommended.” The site also details the “secret dangers” of sucralose (Splenda), claiming that no studies have been done on pregnant women.
Dr. Chin: This labeling comes from Mexican labeling of diet soda. It is a blanket statement made, as most products, medication or otherwise, will have this general recommendation. Nothing magical happens after the age of 7 to 8 that allows a child to all of a sudden tolerate aspartame. Like most medication, no studies have been specifically done of children or pregnant women, as it is hard to find volunteers to participate in such a study. It is true that some people will get headaches and potentially seizures, but this only affects a small population and people can be allergic or intolerant to anything. For most people, they can tolerate aspartame and there has never been any documented scientific evidence that artificial sweeteners negatively affect pregnancy.
In addition, Dr. Mercola is not an MD, but a DO [doctor of osteopathic medicine]. Not to say that he is not a good doctor, but DO’s have a naturalistic and holistic approach to medicine as opposed to MDs. As an aside, the FDA has ordered Dr. Mercola to stop making illegal claims both in his books and on his website.
HOT TUBS
Internet Findings: In 2003, The American Journal of Epidemiology reported the findings of a 1996-98 study that showed a relationship between hot tubs and miscarriage.
and
Planned Parenthood’s website advises against saunas, whirlpools or hot tubs, stating, “Even though they can feel relaxing, heat above 102°F can damage a developing fetus.”
Dr. Chin: Whirlpools and hot tubs usually don’t get as hot as steam rooms or saunas. We ask that pregnant women refrain from saunas, but hot tubs and whirlpool baths are okay provided that it is less than 30 minutes and not above 100 degrees, especially after the first trimester.
VITAMIN A
Internet Findings: Drug manufacturer Merck notes on its website, “Too much vitamin A can cause toxicity. Taking daily doses 10 times the RDA or greater for a period of months can cause toxicity due to excess vitamin A.” The site goes on to state, “Women who are or who may become pregnant should not consume vitamin A in amounts above the safe upper limit (3,000 micrograms) because birth defects are a risk.”
Dr. Chin: Vitamin A comes in 2 forms:
1. Retinol form which is seen in Accutane and Retin-A, both acne medications.
2. Beta carotene form, which is also found in carrots.
As long as the vitamin is in the carotene form, it is safe to use. It is the retinol form that can cause birth defects. NON-STICK PANS(Specifically, PFOA found in Teflon) Internet Findings:A January 26, 2006, article in The Washington Post explained that “PFOA – a key processing agent in making nonstick and stain-resistant materials – has been linked to cancer and birth defects in animals and is in the blood of 95 percent of Americans, including pregnant women.” On January 25th, DuPont Co, and seven other US companies agreed to “virtually eliminate [this]."
Dr. Chin: Although there is no causative data, experts recognize that PFOA is probably a human carcinogen. PFOA is found in the making of Teflon and is in small quantities of Teflon. However, it is also found in other sources such as popcorn bags etc. Those who have suffered children with birth defects are people who either drank contaminated water sources near these manufacturing plants or people who worked in those plants. However people in general (not just pregnant women) should refrain from overheating Teflon pots and pans and never use any non-stick pots or pans that are scratched or chipped. Another alternative would be to not use non-stick cookware at all.
SIMILARLY, PBDEs & PFCs (Found in popcorn bags, frying pans, mattresses, and other household products)
Internet Findings: November 2, 2006: According to the University of British Columbia’s School of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, “Chemicals contained in these and other common household items may affect maternal thyroid function and may lead to impaired fetal brain development.” Dr Chin: As with PFOA, researchers are looking at PBDE’s and PFC’s and their relationship with thyroid disease and neurologic brain development. This study will not be completed until 2008, but it is possible that these substances are also carcinogenic. However, the researchers are not expecting any dramatic findings and “the effects, if any, will be subtle but may still be important, and show a trend that should be monitored," says Webster. "I think it's important to start looking at connections so we can take precautionary measures if needed. Even if effects are subtle, because virtually everyone is exposed to these chemicals, any small effects may still represent a public health concern.
About The Author
A graduate of UCLA’s School of Medicine, Dr. Chin now serves on their academic faculty where he received the Golden Apple Faculty Teaching Award in 2002. During his residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, he received a number of honors, including the Chief Resident Teaching Award, the Standing Ovation Award for Excellence in Patient Care, and multiple research awards.
Dr. Chin continues to work at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he serves as the Secretary of the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, as well on the department’s Performance Improvement Committee.
He is a member of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, a Fellow of the Los Angeles Obstetrics & Gynecology Society, and a Fellow and Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Dr. Chin is in private practice in Beverly Hills and is a member of The Cradle's Board of Advisors.
es, there can be too much information!
Los Angeles obstetrician Anthony Chin, MD, went through a list of potential concerns and dissected each one.
