We all want to make the world a better place, but when you are pregnant, reality often sets in. You are about to bring a new life in this world, and this little person will have to inhabit our planet for the coming decades. Implement small changes into your life that will allow you to have a greener pregnancy while simultaneously making a big difference when it comes to improving the environment.

Here are some ideas to spark things off!

Choose Organic Paint for Your Nursery

Whether you painting your nursery a soft pink or lavender, bright baby blue or using the timeless, gender-neutral shade of pale yellow, choose a paint that is good for you and for your baby. Many paints contain Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Choose a paint brand with low VOCs. Ventilate the area by keeping windows open and blowing fans in the room.

Make Your Own Household Cleaners

Before you purchase an ovulation calculator and begin the process of trying to conceive, eliminate as many chemicals as possible from your home. Making your own household cleaners will not only make your home more eco-friendly, but it is also safer for you and everyone in your home.

Cleaning products sold in stores contain chemicals that not only pollute the environment, but those same chemicals can be harmful to your health, according to Web MD. Vinegar, water and a few drops of scented essential oil can be combined to make an all-purpose cleaner that can be used throughout your entire home. Baking soda also is a powerful cleaning agent that can be used on surfaces such as countertops, tile and grout.

Choose BPA-free Products

Since the 1960s, bisphenol A (now affectionately known as BPA) has been used in plastic products and resins across the country, according to the Mayo Clinic. This chemical has since been discovered to seep into food products, especially when the plastic product is heated, and can cause adverse effects on a person’s health.

In particular, BPA impacts the function of a person’s brain and prostate. It’s especially harmful to fetuses and infants. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, make an effort to purchase BPA-free plastic products. Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers if you aren’t sure whether they are BPA-free or not.

Give Yourself a Green Thumb

Start your own personal garden to grow your very own fruits and vegetables while you are pregnant. Fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs contain essential nutrients that promote the healthy growth and development of the tiny baby inside your belly. However, many people don’t realize that growing a garden also is good for the environment.

A garden helps with soil erosion and it also minimizes air pollution. To make your garden as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible, utilize organic fertilizer and avoid spraying pesticides on your new plants. This will ensure they are filled with the vitamins and nutrients you need without including the chemicals that could harm you and your growing child.

Related reads:
– Rooting For Green: Eco-Friendly Baby Products
– Green Shopping For Kids
– Save the Earth – Green Cleaning

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