• Quit smoking. Avoid second-hand smoke. Remind patients that toxins in cigarette smoke increase the risk for miscarriage, infertility, and preterm birth, among other problems.
• Avoid lead. This can be simple and inexpensive, such as dust mopping daily and avoiding lead-containing lipsticks, or complicated and expensive, such as staying away from jobs or hobbies with exposure to lead, or lead paint–abatement remedies. Women with a history of lead exposure can take calcium supplements to minimize the release of lead stored in bone.
"This is not a comprehensive list, but these are some relatively simple things to do" to avoid troublesome environmental chemicals during pregnancy, Dr. Zlatnik said.
She reported having no financial disclosures.
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