Limiting Toxins in Surrogacy… Clean Living Guide
Ok… here is what we know. Exposure to chemicals and toxins during pregnancy can have serious negative effects on both the surrogate and the developing baby. Many environmental toxins—such as pesticides, heavy metals (lead, mercury), air pollutants, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (like BPA and phthalates)—can interfere with fetal development. These substances have been linked to birth defects, preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental delays. Additionally, certain chemicals can disrupt hormonal balance, increasing the risk of miscarriage and pregnancy complications. Avoiding processed foods, using natural cleaning products, and limiting exposure to environmental pollutants can help reduce these risks and promote a healthier pregnancy. So how do we try and combat these things in surrogacy?
Healthy habits are created with small changes that can greatly affect the quality of a surrogate’s health and the health of the baby. If parents are interested in having their surrogate access more information and healthier products, we will discuss this on the match call to make sure everyone is aligned. Once we determine everyone is onboard, Roots has put together a Clean Living Menu of products and services that a surrogate and parent can access. Parents will be responsible for the costs associated with these purchases but Roots will manage all the administration including shipping, billing, payments, etc. We are also a resource for the surrogates to help them navigate their specific needs.
Clean Living Menu
Organic Foods:
Toxic chemicals, pesticides, additives and ultra-processed foods can have negative impacts on the health and wellness of both surrogates and babies. Roots and Intended Parents can agree on a multitude of options to allow surrogates more access to organic foods including delivery services, stipens for grocery shopping and even personal chefs.
Surrogate Beauty:
The FDA has minimal regulation in the United States related to beauty products. Without oversight and little regulation, the U.S. beauty industry add hundreds of toxins into makeup, deodorant, lotions and other beauty products. Some of these toxins can negatively affect pregnancy outcomes. Swapping beauty products is one quick and easy way to add to a healthy lifestyle and pregnancy.
Household Cleaning Products:
Cleaning products including dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, kitchen and bathroom cleaning products and diswasher detergent all have harmful chemicals and toxins. There are now several mainstream companies creating these products without the harmful addatives.
Water:
A basic life necessity and can be truly toxic depending on the city in which you live. Adding a water filtration to your shower and sink can hugely benefit the safety of your tap water. Along the same lines, even filtered water out of your fridge can contain toxins at higher levels (depending on the tap source). Filtered water bottles are a safe and effective swap for regular water bottles and allow you to keep hydrated and healthy!
Candles and air fragrance:
Who doesnt like a home that smells fresh and inviting? The issue is that most air fragrance “plug ins” and candles release harmful VOCs. Alternatives such as beeswax candles are a safer alternative.
Kitchen Supplies:
Plastic containers can leach BPA and phthalates into food. Exchanging these for glass container will help elimate toxins in stored food. Similarly, Non-stick pans release PFAS (“forever chemicals”). Replacing these with cast iron, ceramic or stainless steel cookwear can reduce harmful chemicals in cooking.
Both Intended Parents and Surrogates that are clients of Roots Surrogacy have access to our curated Clean Living Menu that identifies dozens of products and their links that surrogates can choose from in order to assist in a cleaner and more healthy pregnancy overall!