Tap/Drinking Water
Should I avoid it? Not necessarily. Before you go out and buy a 9-month supply of bottled water, tell your doctor where you live and whether you have public water or well water.
It's also important to note that just because water is bottled doesn't necessarily mean it's safer. Although bottled water (which is regulated by the FDA) may often taste better or just different, tap water meets the same Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.
What are the risks, if any, to my baby? Different studies show different things, according to the March of Dimes. Some have found that the chlorine used to treat public water can turn into chloroform when it mixes with other materials in the water, which can increase the risk of miscarriage and poor fetal growth. But other studies have found no such links. Also of concern to some is the potential for the water to be contaminated by things like lead and pesticides. If you have well water you should probably have it checked regularly, such as once a year, whether you're pregnant or not.
What can I do about it? If you're concerned, contact your local water supplier to get a copy of the annual water quality report. If you're still concerned and/or have private well water, have your water tested by a state-certified laboratory. This can cost anywhere from $15 to hundreds, depending on the number of contaminants you want to have your water tested for.
To help ease your mind, you could also buy a water filtration system to help reduce the levels of lead, some bacteria and viruses, and chemicals such as chlorine. But be sure to read the product's label thoroughly, as some do more than others.
Countertop pitcher and faucet-mounted units are fairly inexpensive (some for under $50), whereas systems used to treat your entire home's water supply are much pricier (up to thousands of dollars). You can also have refillable water coolers delivered to your home, often through wholesale — or bulk items — stores.
It's also important to note that just because water is bottled doesn't necessarily mean it's safer. Although bottled water (which is regulated by the FDA) may often taste better or just different, tap water meets the same Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.
What are the risks, if any, to my baby? Different studies show different things, according to the March of Dimes. Some have found that the chlorine used to treat public water can turn into chloroform when it mixes with other materials in the water, which can increase the risk of miscarriage and poor fetal growth. But other studies have found no such links. Also of concern to some is the potential for the water to be contaminated by things like lead and pesticides. If you have well water you should probably have it checked regularly, such as once a year, whether you're pregnant or not.
What can I do about it? If you're concerned, contact your local water supplier to get a copy of the annual water quality report. If you're still concerned and/or have private well water, have your water tested by a state-certified laboratory. This can cost anywhere from $15 to hundreds, depending on the number of contaminants you want to have your water tested for.
To help ease your mind, you could also buy a water filtration system to help reduce the levels of lead, some bacteria and viruses, and chemicals such as chlorine. But be sure to read the product's label thoroughly, as some do more than others.
Countertop pitcher and faucet-mounted units are fairly inexpensive (some for under $50), whereas systems used to treat your entire home's water supply are much pricier (up to thousands of dollars). You can also have refillable water coolers delivered to your home, often through wholesale — or bulk items — stores.
posted by jasdeep_grover26 @ 8:05 PM
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