Story Highlights

• Researchers found 13 toxic chemicals in the bio-fluids of the pregnant women
• Bisphenol A, "Teflon chemicals",  Mercury, "Breakdown products", found in system of every woman studied.
  
• Congress has called for a full revamping of the Toxic Substances Control Act

A first-of-its-kind study shows that chemicals from everyday products contaminate women's bodies, and that their children enter the world already exposed to known toxics.

Notable quotes:

"The degree to which children are exposed to toxic chemicals before they enter the world is still being discovered."

"We cannot say with certainty whether these particular babies were harmed by the toxic exposures in the womb."

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• Study finds that babies cry with an "accent"
• Unborn babies influenced by the sound of the first language that penetrates the womb

German researchers say babies begin to pick up the nuances of their parents' accents while still in the womb.

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• What to do if you get this virus when you are pregnant
• How to protect yourself, your baby and your family?
• Symptoms, treatment and breasfeeding advice

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers prevention tips, guidance and care advisories for the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu). This particular article is specifically geared towards pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

At this point there is still much that is unknown about how H1N1 (Swine Flu) affects pregnant women, but the CDC suggests that the possibility be taken "very seriously".

As more becomes known, check back for up-to-date advice.

Story Highlights

• Baby delivered 14 weeks prematurely from a mom battling swine flu has died
• The baby's mother, who has been placed in a coma, remains in critical condition
• CDC sees "worse complications, severe infections in pregnant women" with this flu

Pregnant women have long been a prime concern of health care officials regarding the flu virus, but are of particular concern during this outbreak of swine flu. Pregnant women have always been advised to get a flu shot because they are at greater risk because of the weakened immune system resulting from their pregnancy. But the H1N1 epidemic has seen new complications and challenges.

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• A mechanism linking smoking during pregnancy to low birth weight has been identified
• Researchers found effects of smoking negated if women quit smoking early in pregnancy

"We have known for 50 years that infants born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy have lower birth weights. But this study provides a possible explanation of why..."

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• Measuring hormone could find three-fourths of women at risk, study claims
• Approximately 13 percent of women will experience postpartum depression

"If we know early on that a woman is at high risk to develop postpartum depression, then we can implement interventions before symptoms actually occur".

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• Moms may face chance of hypertension, diabetes and blood clots, study says.
• Growing data on the link between hypertensive pregnancy disorders and subsequent heart disease

"The only reliable treatment for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby. But while delivery may 'cure' preeclampsia in the moment, these mothers are at high risk of chronic hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and blood clots for the rest of their lives".

Story Highlights

Toxic particles in cigarette smoke can remain on nearby surfaces, as well as the hair and clothing of the smoker, long after the cigarette has been put out, and small children are susceptible because they are likely to breathe in close proximity, or even lick and suck them.

Other studies have linked this exposure to learning problems in children.

Breastfeeding mothers who smoke also pass toxins on to their baby in their milk, he said.

Read the full article on BBC News Website