Pregnant and nursing mothers, you must know these things about mercury!

If you are a mother who is expecting a baby or breastfeeding, you are probably thinking twice about what you are eating these days, right? It is very normal. Because some of the things we eat can have certain effects on the baby in the womb or the baby who is breastfeeding. So, something that we should be especially careful about, but perhaps not talked about much, is 'mercury'. Simply put, it is a heavy metal. Let's talk about this in a little more detail today.

How does this mercury get into our bodies?

You may be wondering, "How do I eat mercury?" Mercury is actually something that is naturally present in the environment. It is added to the environment through volcanic eruptions, from the ground, from factories, and from burning fossil fuels. Imagine, the mercury that is added to the environment in this way ends up in rivers, streams, and oceans. Then, when the small fish there eat these plants that contain mercury, the mercury is deposited in the bodies of those fish. Then, when a big fish eats these small fish, all the mercury that was in the body of that small fish is deposited in the body of the big fish. In this way, as we go up the food chain, the amount of mercury that is deposited in the body of the fish also increases. If we eat big fish that have accumulated a lot of mercury like this, that mercury ends up in our bodies. The most dangerous type of mercury that enters our bodies through food in this way is methylmercury . It is not only fish, there are other ways.

• Skin-lightening creams: Some substandard skin-lightening creams may contain mercury . When applied to the skin, the mercury can be absorbed through the skin and even damage the kidneys .
• Old appliances: Some old lamps, clocks, and batteries may contain mercury.

Is mercury really dangerous during pregnancy?

Yes, pregnancy and mercury are not a good combination. The world learned this from a tragic incident in the 1950s near Minamata Bay, Japan. Mercury from a factory in that area was released into the sea, and children born to mothers who ate fish from that sea suffered severe neurological problems. Here's what happens: When a pregnant mother eats food containing mercury, the mercury (especially methylmercury) enters the bloodstream, crosses the placenta, and enters the body of the baby in the womb. The condition that occurs in children born from exposure to mercury in this way is called 'Congenital Minamata disease'.It is said that the child may have various problems there. Sometimes these effects are not so severe, but can be more subtle. For example, the child may experience difficulties with concentration, decreased language skills, and poor memory.

So how do we protect ourselves from this mercury?

This is the most important thing. As we discussed earlier, the main way mercury enters our bodies is through eating fish. But that doesn't mean you should "stop eating fish completely." Fish is a superfood that's packed with nutrients like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein, iodine, and iron, which are essential for your baby's brain development. The key is to choose your fish wisely.

Other safety measures

• Dental fillings : Some materials used to fill teeth (amalgams) may contain mercury. If you are going to have dental treatment during pregnancy , ask your dentist to use a mercury-free filling.
• Breaking equipment: If an old mercury vapor lamp or some type of light bulb in your home breaks, never vacuum it up. Doing so will cause the mercury to become airborne in small particles, making it even more dangerous. If you are not pregnant, wrap it in paper, put it in an airtight container, and dispose of it carefully.
• Workplace: If you work in a place where you may be exposed to mercury, such as in a laboratory or dental clinic, ask for another job that will avoid that exposure during pregnancy .

The effects of mercury during breastfeeding

Your baby's brain continues to develop after birth. This is a very sensitive time. If you are a breastfeeding mother, mercury in your body can pass to your baby through breast milk. Therefore, it is very important to stay away from fish and other sources of mercury that are high in mercury, both during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.