Bhakti Paun Sharma
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Written By: Bhakti Paun Sharma | Updated : November 13, 2015 6:10 PM IST
Read this in Hindi.
Is it ok to use deodorants, antiperspirants or perfumes when I am pregnant? I like strong perfumes. Would the fragrance have any effect on my child? Please advise.
Personal hygiene is important and taking care of body odour is a part of it. Every woman wants to smell good but the commercial antiperspirants, deodorants and perfumes may pose a threat to your baby and you considering the number of chemicals used in its manufacture. Watch out for these harmful effects of perfumes.
To start with, deodorants, perfumes or antiperspirants may result in nausea due to your heightened sense of smell during pregnancy. This nausea may further lead to vomiting, fatigue, headaches and even shortness of breath. Hence, use them sparingly and choose mild fragrances suggests Dr Ragini Agarwal, Clinical Director, Obstetrics and Gynaecology at W- Hospital. In the first trimester, using a lot of deodorants and perfumes can aggravate morning sickness and must be avoided during this time. You can opt for natural fragrances in case you want to. Try these all natural deodorants to ward off body odour.
Perfumes are made up of several chemical compounds like phthalates which cause hormonal, respiratory or skin problems. A perfume with high alcohol content must be out of your list. Some fragrances contain parabens which are associated with birth defects in some cases. Phthalates and parabens can act as endocrine disrupters and can impair fertility in women and testicular development in a male child. Check the ingredients listed on the can or bottle and avoid these chemicals, especially phthalates because they enter the blood stream and may cause complications. You can even make perfume at home without chemicals or preservatives.
It is better to use natural fragrances or mild or citrusy essential oils, sparingly, if you need to. Read: Essential oils A natural way to deal with pregnancy niggles.
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