Concerns about pregnancy

Experts estimate that although there's about a 4% risk of birth defects in any pregnancy, only about 6% of these are related to the environment—meaning anything a woman took, did, or was exposed to. The vast majority of birth defects have genetic origins.

Here's a quick guide to some common early pregnancy exposures that shouldn't worry you—and a warning about a few that should. Pregnant women should always discuss their concerns with their obstetricians.

• Alcohol. Although women will no doubt be advised to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy, there’s little danger from occasional social drinking early in pregnancy.
• Birth control pills. Some women become pregnant while taking oral contraceptives, usually because of missed pills or antibiotic medication, which can lower the contraceptive’s effectiveness. These women may continue taking contraceptives for weeks, not realizing they’re pregnant.
  
  There's no known increase in birth defects if a woman stops taking oral contraceptives before the eighth week of pregnancy. There is a small risk—1% or less—of external genital abnormalities if the fetus is a girl. Spermicides used with diaphragms and condoms aren’t considered risks.
• Chemicals (hair dyes, insect repellent, mothballs, nail polish remover, paint fumes). Essentially, if you don't get sick from the exposure, your baby won't either. Common sense dictates avoiding fumes and other potentially hazardous chemicals while pregnant, but if you just finished painting your bedroom before finding out you were pregnant, there’s probably no need to worry.
• Cigarettes. Quit as soon as you know you're pregnant. Cigarettes are associated with low birth weight. Smoking is a bigger problem after your little is born because lung development goes on for eight years.
• Hot tubs and saunas. Pregnant women should avoid soaks in hot tubs or spas or sitting in a sauna.
• Medications. When taken occasionally, common medications, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, allergy and cold medicines, cough suppressants, and antacids, don’t pose real threats early in pregnancy. However, the pain relievers aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided; acetaminophen (Tylenol) is considered safe.
  
  Certain prescription medications (such as the acne drug Accutane) as well as megadoses of vitamin A (more than 10,000 IU per day—many times more than what’s in a daily multivitamin supplement) do pose birth defect risks. Consult your obstetrician to find out whether any medications or vitamins you've been taking may mean an increased likelihood of problems.
• X-rays. Diagnostic X-rays, such as dental X-rays and mammograms, aren’t associated with any increased risk during pregnancy. In fact, experts say that only high-dose X-ray exposure directly to the abdomen—as with radiation treatment for gynecological cancers—could harm the fetus.

This article brought to you in partnership with Studio One Networks.