Protecting Mother and Baby: The Importance of Filtered Water for Pregnant Women

If you’re pregnant… Congratulations! Your body is on a remarkable journey of growing new life. It’s essential now more than ever to show extra care to both yourself and the precious life developing within you. But what does this look like exactly? Perhaps you’re taking your prenatals, and beginning to think of pregnancy exercises, but one important aspect that often goes forgotten is the importance of keeping hydrated, as well as doing everything you can to reduce your toxic load.

Hydration is not only crucial for the development of the placenta, which supplies nutrients and oxygen to the growing fetus, but it’s also important to prevent common pregnancy symptoms such as constipation, fatigue and headaches.

Unfortunately, in the world that we live in today, tap water contains far more than just water… It is often loaded with chemicals, pesticides, microplastics, heavy metals, chlorine and other contaminants that will end up causing more harm than good.

This means that you are not achieving proper hydration when you drink tap water.

In fact, many of these chemicals can have the opposite effect on the body, as they add on a heavy toxic load that can be taxing on the organs. As the years go by, it is evident that we are only just beginning to truly unravel how harmful these substances can be on human health.

Take the recent news reports on forever chemicals, for example. Light has been shed on the alarming presence of forever chemicals in tap water, raising significant concerns among the public. These chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), have been detected in Australian tap water, sparking widespread attention to the potential health risks associated with their consumption. PFAS compounds are notorious for their resistance to degradation, which means they accumulate in the body for extended periods and pose serious health risks.

How forever chemicals can impact the health of your pregnancy:

• Increased risk of reproductive and developmental issues: PFAS have been linked to various adverse health outcomes in studies on development of the baby. Exposure to these chemicals during pregnancy may increase the risk of complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia.
• Placental Transfer: PFAS can cross the placenta, exposing the developing fetus to these harmful substances. Once in the fetal bloodstream, PFAS may interfere with normal development and growth, potentially leading to long-term health implications for the baby.
• Hormone Disruption: PFAS have been shown to disrupt endocrine function, which regulates hormone production and signaling in the body. Disruptions to hormonal balance during pregnancy can interfere with fetal development and increase the risk of birth defects and other complications.
• Weakened Immune System: Prenatal exposure to PFAS may weaken the developing immune system of the fetus, making it more susceptible to infections and illnesses both during infancy and later in life.
• Neurodevelopmental Effects: Some studies suggest that exposure to PFAS during pregnancy may be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and impaired cognitive function.

Chemicals exposed: more than just forever chemicals in tap water

Unfortunately, forever chemicals are not the only concern for contamination in tap water. Heavy metals that leach from pipes, pesticides, and even microplastics can infiltrate water supplies through various routes, including runoff from landfills, leaching from pipes, wastewater treatment plants, and plastic pollution in oceans and rivers. Given these uncertainties, we recommend taking precautions to reduce your exposure to microplastics by opting for filtered water.

What is even more alarming is the fact that microplastics are now being found in 100% of human placentas that are being tested. As the placenta is the source of nutrition for baby throughout pregnancy, many researchers are worried about the long term health impacts this may have on human health.

Increasing water intake is vital for you and your growing baby, and opting for filtered water is an excellent choice to support the health of yourself and your family.

The benefits of drinking filtered water

By using a quality water filtration system, expectant mothers can enjoy several benefits:

1. Toxic Free Water: Water filters are designed to eliminate a wide range of impurities, including heavy metals, chemicals, microbes and other contaminants. This purification process ensures that pregnant women and their babies are not exposed to harmful substances that may compromise their health.
2. Improved Taste: Filtration systems also enhance the taste and odor of water by removing chlorine and other additives commonly found in tap water. This makes filtered water taste better!
3. Peace of Mind: Knowing that the water you’re drinking is clean and safe can provide you peace of mind. Filtered water reduces the risk of ingesting harmful pollutants, allowing you to focus on nurturing your own health and the well-being of your baby without unnecessary worry.
4. Higher Mineral Content & Optimal pH: Many expectant mothers choose to drink alkalised water as it adds minerals back into the water which assists with optimal hydration for both mother and baby.

Choosing the right water filtration system

Filtered water guarantees pure and healthy water for you and your entire family. Many of our filters are suitable for both home-owners and renters alike, with countertop and under-sink options that can be tailored to your needs.

See our variety of water filters that are able to remove forever chemicals, heavy metals, microplastics and other contaminants from your water.