7 Tips on Detoxing for Pregnancy | Ruan Living | Sophia Ruan Gushée

I was shocked when I found this out…

Did you hear about this study that found 287 chemicals in umbilical-cord blood? 

Of the 287 chemicals, 180 are known to cause cancer in humans, and 217 are known to be toxic to the brain and nervous system. 

Now, the good news is that there's a lot you can do to reduce your toxic exposures—and this is especially important if you are pregnant, look forward to getting pregnant, or take care of young children. 

If you've already detoxed what you put in, on, or around your body, then stop reading now. But if you're brand new or just getting started and you want to save time trying to figure out how to protect your baby from toxic exposures, then stay tuned. 

My Journey:

I didn't start learning about my toxic exposures until after I had my first daughter. It was heartbreaking because the more I learned, the more I regretted a growing list of things. My challenging and sometimes painful learning curve has motivated me though…

“to empower parents who want to provide their children and future children with the healthiest start possible.”

So in this blog, I'm going to share the seven essential tips that I wish I knew sooner, especially before I even started trying to get pregnant. 🤰

So let's get to it!

Nontoxic Castile Soap

One product that stands out as changing my life is Castile soap. 🧼

I started with Dr Bronner's Castile soap, and I never found a reason to try any other brand. I prefer buying at least a gallon of Dr Bronner's Castile soap at a time. I use it to:

• Wash my dishes
• Clean the floors
• Clean surface areas in the home

There are also recipes to use in the dishwashing machine and the laundry machine.

So this one gallon replaces many other products! It also comes as bar soap, and I use the baby mild for my face, and body, as well as for the children to clean their retainers. 

“It's the most nontoxic soap that I've come across.”

Moisturize with Oils that are Safe to Eat

Second, I wish I knew that oils that are safe enough to eat are great for the body. I often use coconut and olive oils as that has worked best for me. 🥥 

But when the weather and my skin are really dry, I also use shea butter.

Clean Beauty Products

I have been slower to figure out clean beauty because it takes a while to determine what is truly nontoxic, what works well on your skin, and what still looks good. 

The one beauty product that I am comfortable sharing is by RMS. They have pots of color. I love that it's nontoxic, works great, looks really natural, and is multi-purpose. You can dab some on your cheeks and lips and blend layers to create different colors, and mix and match—it's my favorite! 

I also avoid perfume and instead use essential oils. My current favorite is a rose essential oil. I also love formulas that have essential oils, but with crystals in them. 

Drinking Clean Water

Next, I wish I were more informed about drinking clean water. 

When I was pregnant in 2007, I was drinking lots of water, but from plastic bottles. After I realized that it was safer to avoid plastic water bottles, I started drinking from stainless steel. 

But it took a while to realize that filtering your water is a good thing to do. There are various options for water filtration…

“but the best one you can afford is better than nothing.” 

Eat Homemade Organic Meals

Next, eat as much as you can of homemade organic meals. You're not going to be able to have everything you eat be homemade and organic, but the greater the portion of what you eat that's homemade and organic, the better. This will help ensure that what your baby is consuming through you is as nontoxic and nutritious as possible.

Avoid Wireless Radiation

Last, avoid unnecessary wireless radiation. 📵

Let's focus on your cell phone. When you're sleeping at night, you don't usually need wireless connectivity, so you can use airplane mode to disable cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. This is especially important for a young life like a baby in your belly, infants, and young children. 

When you do need these wireless devices enabled, then remember that distance is your friend. The further they are away from your body, the less the radiation exposure. 

In Summary

So let's recap those seven tips:

1. Castile soap can replace many products in your home that probably have toxic chemicals in them.
2. Think about what you're putting on your skin. Edible oils are safe enough to eat so they're safe enough to put on your body.
3. And when your skin is extra uncomfortable, like from a growing pregnant belly, then organic shea butter is an effective, great option, at least for me.
4. Detox to your beauty and self care products. The Environmental Working Group has really great resources to help you identify the best ones for you. 
5. Be mindful of the water you're drinking. Try to drink filtered water that is stored in glass or stainless steel. 
6. Eat homemade organic meals and snacks as much as you can.
7. Be mindful of the wireless radiation. Turn wireless off as much as you can, and when it's on, try and keep at a distance. 

Following these seven tips will effectively protect you and your growing family from many toxic chemicals.

Thanks so much for reading my blog. If you don't want to miss out on new content to help you detox your home, diet, self-care and technology, then check out the link and make sure you stay connected: CONNECT

I'll see you next time,

Sophia Ruan Gushée

 

 

 

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