Preparing for a baby, Part 2: chemicals in pregnancy and what goes ON your body

In Part 1 of this series, I looked at what goes into your body before you conceive, from weight-loss jabs to fillers, food and plastics. This week, in Part 2, I want to look at what happens during pregnancy, and in particular what goes on your body. Because the things we put on our skin every day, and the clothes we wear, get far less attention than what we eat.

Your skin is your largest organ

Skincare is where most pregnancy advice starts, and Tanyka Davson's guide for Cubbi is still one of the best examples of clear and simple advice I have found. Some things are what you might expect. Prescription acne tablets containing isotretinoin must not be taken in pregnancy, and doctors advise avoiding retinoid creams too, as a precaution. Others are more reassuring than you might think: the NHS now says most research shows hair dye is safe in pregnancy, which is a world away from the advice I was given 26 years ago. If you're unsure about a product, ask your pharmacist or midwife. It's what they're there for.

What you wear for nine months

This is the part I think gets missed. When money is tight, it's tempting to buy cheap clothes for a bump you'll only have for nine months. But some dyes and finishing chemicals used on fabric can be a concern. Certain azo dyes can release chemicals linked to cancer, which is why the UK and EU strictly limit them in clothing that sits against the skin. Formaldehyde is used for crease-resistant finishes. And when Greenpeace tested 47 ultra-fast fashion products in 2022, seven broke EU chemical limits and around a third contained chemicals of concern. That was a small study, but it's a good reason to think about where your maternity clothes come from.

You don't need a whole new wardrobe. A few good pieces, washed before you wear them, are kinder to you and your baby. Look for certifications you can trust: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests every part of a garment for harmful substances, and GOTS certifies organic fibres right through the supply chain.

What goes in still matters

The NHS food advice for pregnancy is clear and worth having on the fridge: no more than 200mg of caffeine a day (about two cups of instant coffee), no alcohol, no liver, and only cook soft mould-ripened cheeses like brie. British Lion eggs are fine runny, and keep tuna and oily fish to the weekly limits.

If giving up your morning coffee feels like a step too far, you don't have to. Brands like Mama Brew make low-caffeine and decaf coffee for pregnancy and breastfeeding: its decaf has less than 6mg of caffeine a serving and its low-caffeine blend less than 30mg, against the NHS limit of 200mg a day. It started with a simple problem: Megane was pregnant and didn't want to give up her coffee ritual. Now Megane and Harold, the husband-and-wife team behind Mama Brew, are on a mission "to create premium, vitamin-packed beverages that meet the evolving needs of women".

And if you were using a weight-loss jab before you conceived, the MHRA is clear that these medicines must not be used in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Packaging matters too. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has suggested choosing fresh food over cans and plastic containers, and keeping personal care products to a minimum.

The partner's part

As in Part 1, this is a shared responsibility. A partner can take on the decorating (the RCOG advises avoiding paint fumes), switch the household cleaning products, cook from fresh, and help cut the plastic in the kitchen. Small things, done together, add up.

What I'd love to see next

I'm not a clinician, and this isn't medical advice. But I'd love to see clear, simple guidance on clothing and textiles in pregnancy, alongside the guidance we already have on food and medicines. At the moment, a parent-to-be can find out exactly how much coffee to drink, but almost nothing about what's in the leggings they'll wear every day for nine months.

What this means for you: if you make products parents use during pregnancy, think about what's best for them and the baby they're growing. If you make maternity clothing, choose your dyes and finishes carefully and get them independently certified, then tell your customers, because it's a real reason to choose you. If you make food, drinks or supplements, take plastic out of the packaging wherever you can. And if you make skincare, be clear and honest about what is and isn't suitable in pregnancy. Parents-to-be are reading every label. Make yours one they can trust.

Part 3, on 10th November, looks at life after the birth: breastfeeding, bonding, and the products that touch your newborn. If you're a midwife, pharmacist, dermatologist or textile specialist and you'd like to add your voice, I'd love to hear from you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What skincare should I avoid in pregnancy?

Isotretinoin tablets must not be taken in pregnancy, and doctors advise avoiding retinoid creams as a precaution. The NHS says most research shows hair dye is safe. If you're unsure about a product, ask your pharmacist or midwife.

Can chemicals in clothes affect me in pregnancy?

Some dyes and fabric finishes can be a concern, which is why the most harmful azo dyes are restricted in the UK and EU. Choosing certified fabrics such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or GOTS, and washing new clothes before wearing them, are simple ways to reduce exposure.

How much caffeine can I have when pregnant?

The NHS recommends no more than 200mg a day, about two cups of instant coffee or two and a half cups of tea. Remember caffeine is also in chocolate, cola and energy drinks.

If you're a brand that supports parents-to-be and want to talk about certification, packaging or how you guide your customers through pregnancy, just get in touch with The Nest. And if you're a clinician who'd like to add your voice to the series, I'd love to hear from you.

The Nest News lands every Tuesday: three insights shaping maternity, baby and children's products, and the actions you can take. Sign up at thenest.uk.com

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