Lower your toxic load before and during pregnancy

The three months before conception, and the first trimester, are when the developing embryo is most sensitive to endocrine disruptor exposure. The good news is that many of these chemicals clear from the body within days to weeks of stopping exposure. Small sustained changes now have outsized effects. This page covers what the evidence supports, in priority order, without overwhelming you.

Start here

The five changes that make the biggest difference. In order.

1. 1

   Replace personal care products with fragrance-free, paraben-free versions

   Skin absorption bypasses initial liver metabolism. Personal care products are the single highest daily source of paraben and phthalate exposure for most women.

2. 2

   Switch deodorant to aluminium-free, fragrance-free

   Applied daily to thin underarm skin adjacent to breast tissue. Switch now rather than during the first trimester when nausea makes changes harder.

3. 3

   Glass food storage, no microwaved plastic

   BPA and phthalates migrate from plastic into food faster with heat and fat. Simple mechanical swap, measurable body burden reduction.

4. 4

   Filter your drinking water

   A carbon block at minimum. Reverse osmosis if you have known PFAS or are near industrial or military sites.

5. 5

   Cast iron or stainless cookware

   Non-stick releases PFAS when scratched. Replace before pregnancy if you can, not during when your sense of smell will make new cookware off-gassing unpleasant.

Most relevant chemicals

What matters most for your situation, and why. Each links to a deeper guide.

Guides and articles

Where to focus in your home

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