In this episode of The Pulling Curls Podcast: Pregnancy & Parenting Untangled, host Hilary Erickson interviews Samantha Radford about 5 things to avoid during pregnancy. They discuss the importance of using low VOC paint or having someone else do the painting in the nursery. They also talk about the risks associated with lead paint in older homes and provide tips on how to safely deal with it. This episode offers practical advice for pregnant women to minimize chemical exposures during pregnancy.

Big thanks to our sponsor my Safe Eating during pregnancy guide.

Today's guest is Samantha Radford:

Samantha Radford has a PhD in Chemistry from Emory University (Atlanta, GA). She is an exposure scientist who focuses on maternal-child health. Samantha has years of research into learning about how chemical exposures affect both unborn babies and children, as well as how toxicants and medications are passed through breastmilk.

Samantha also studies the effect of exposure to hormones induced by personal experiences, for example, cortisol in babies who are stressed or oxytocin in mothers bonding to their infants.

Through the years, Samantha has expanded her academic and personal studies to how exposures to different parenting styles affect the mental and physical health of children as they grow to adulthood.

Most importantly, Samantha is a busy mother of four kids 7 and under. She loves to empower other moms through combining science and wellness.

Samantha has been trying to bring back the banana clip since 1998.

Grab her Registry guide here: https://deft-writer-5597.ck.page/e2540098de

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Avoid 5 things during pregnancy; introducing Samantha. 00:06:08 Beware of lead paint; hire a professional. 00:10:11 Baby safety: watch for lead and mercury. 00:12:25 Bioaccumulation: mercury in fish from contaminated plankton. 00:16:41 Deli meat risk: commercialized vs. fresh cut. 00:20:27 Choose organic foods to avoid pesticides while pregnant. 00:22:31 Avoid sanding lead paint; eat smaller fish and organic produce. 00:24:50 Enjoyed episode on avoiding pregnancy risks. Review/share/subscribe.

Keypoints:

1. Introduction to the topic: "5 Things for Mom to Avoid During Pregnancy"
2. Introducing guest Samantha Radford and her expertise in chemistry and parenting.
3. Sponsor mention: My Safe Eating Guide for real advice on pregnancy nutrition.
4. Discussing the misconception of avoiding hot Cheetos and other specific foods during pregnancy.
5. Highlighting the importance of avoiding certain paints during pregnancy and opting for low VOC options.
6. Explaining the risks of lead paint in older homes and the need to avoid sanding or disturbing it.
7. Mentioning the option of encapsulation to safely cover lead paint if repainting is desired.
8. Samantha's personal preference of not having a nursery and the alternative of using a bassinet in the parent's room.
9. Discussion on the importance of creating a safe and healthy environment for both mom and baby during pregnancy.
10. Recap and closing thoughts on the importance of focusing on what can be controlled during pregnancy.

Producer: Drew Erickson