What I'd Be Ditching If I Were Pregnant or Trying to Conceive (And Why Toxic Load Matters)

If I were pregnant or trying to conceive (or just living my life), these are the everyday exposures I'd be reducing.

Hormones are incredibly sensitive to what we absorb, inhale, and consume. Unfortunately, we don't always have control over everything we're exposed to - which is why toxic load matters.

You don't have to eliminate everything at once. Starting with small changes usually means many of these things fall away naturally over time.

1. Tap Water

Tap water can contain fluoride, chlorine by-products, trace pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and heavy metals, to name a few.

While tap water in Australia is generally considered safe to drink, the presence of these compounds - even in small amounts - can add to your overall toxic load, especially when you're trying to conceive or pregnant.

Why it matters for fertility and pregnancy:

• Fluoride and chlorine can interfere with thyroid function, which is essential for ovulation and maintaining pregnancy

• Heavy metals like lead can accumulate in the body and affect fetal development

• Pharmaceutical residues, including synthetic hormones from contraceptives, may have endocrine-disrupting effects

What to do instead: Using a good-quality water filter is one of the simplest ways to reduce daily exposure and support overall health. Look for filters that remove chlorine, heavy metals, and ideally fluoride (though fluoride removal requires specific filtration).

2. Artificial Fragrance

Synthetic fragrance is a common source of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and it's found in everything from perfume to laundry detergent, candles, air fresheners, cleaning products, skincare, and haircare.

The term "fragrance" on an ingredients list can hide dozens of unlisted chemicals - many of which are known hormone disruptors.

Why it matters for fertility and pregnancy:

• Phthalates (often hidden in "fragrance") can interfere with reproductive hormones in both men and women

• Synthetic musks can accumulate in body tissue and have been detected in breast milk

• Regular exposure to fragrance chemicals can contribute to overall toxic burden

What to do instead:

• Choose fragrance-free or naturally scented products

• Use essential oils sparingly (and only pregnancy-safe ones during pregnancy)

• Switch to fragrance-free laundry detergent and cleaning products

• Open windows for fresh air instead of using air fresheners

3. Plastics

Plastics can interfere with hormonal and metabolic signalling, especially when heated or scratched.

They're in everything from takeaway coffee cups to cling wrap to activewear, swimwear, and non-stick coatings on cookware. Small swaps here can make a meaningful difference.

Why it matters for fertility and pregnancy:

• BPA and BPS (found in plastic containers and receipts) mimic oestrogen and can disrupt hormone balance

• Phthalates (used to make plastics flexible) are linked to reduced fertility in both men and women

• Microplastics can cross the placental barrier

What to do instead:

• Use glass or stainless steel water bottles and food containers

• Avoid heating food in plastic containers

• Choose natural fibres (cotton, linen, wool) over synthetic activewear when possible

• Use beeswax wraps or glass containers instead of cling film

• Swap non-stick cookware for stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic

4. Food Additives

Artificial sweeteners, colours, and additives can disrupt gut health, blood sugar regulation, and nervous system balance - all of which matter for hormones and fertility.

Why it matters when trying to conceive:

• Artificial sweeteners can affect insulin sensitivity and metabolic health

• Food dyes have been linked to hyperactivity and may impact hormonal balance

• Many additives contribute to inflammation and gut dysbiosis

What to do instead:

• Choose whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible

• Read ingredient labels and avoid products with long lists of numbers and unrecognisable ingredients

• Cook from scratch when you can

• Choose organic when possible, particularly for the "Dirty Dozen" fruits and vegetables

5. Toxic Beauty Products (Personal Care)

Conventional skincare, makeup, and haircare products can contain hormone-disrupting ingredients that are absorbed through the skin daily.

Simplifying your routine can significantly reduce exposure.

Why it matters for fertility and pregnancy:

• Parabens (preservatives) mimic oestrogen and are found in most conventional cosmetics

• Triclosan (in antibacterial products) disrupts thyroid function

• Heavy metals in some makeup products accumulate in the body

What to do instead:

• Simplify your skincare routine - less is often more

• Choose products with recognisable, natural ingredients

• Check products on the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database

• Make some of your own products (body butter, hair masks, face oils)

If you're trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding, it's also worth carefully considering cosmetic injectables. The long-term effects of many of these substances during preconception and pregnancy haven't been thoroughly studied.

6. Seed Oils

Highly processed seed oils can contribute to inflammation and metabolic stress.

Fats are foundational for hormone production, and quality matters. Swapping vegetable oils for traditional fats like grass-fed butter, ghee, or tallow, and using good-quality olive oil, is a simple place to start.

Why it matters when trying to conceive:

• Seed oils (canola, soybean, sunflower, corn oil) are highly processed and oxidise easily

• They're high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation when out of balance with omega-3s

• Quality fats are essential for sex hormone production and cell membrane health

What to do instead:

• Cook with grass-fed butter, ghee, coconut oil, or tallow

• Use extra virgin olive oil for dressings (not high-heat cooking)

• Avoid deep-fried takeaway foods

• Read labels - seed oils are hidden in most packaged foods, condiments, and restaurant meals

Why Toxic Load Matters When Trying to Conceive

Your body's toxic load is the total burden of chemicals and environmental toxins it's dealing with at any given time.

When you're trying to conceive, reducing toxic load matters because:

• Your body prioritises detoxification over reproduction when under stress

• Many environmental chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with ovulation, sperm quality, and implantation

• Toxic burden affects egg and sperm quality months before conception

• What you're exposed to preconception can affect early fetal development

• Reducing exposure now means less toxic burden to pass to your baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding

The good news? You don't have to be perfect. Small, consistent changes add up over time.

Start With One Small Change

You don't need to overhaul your entire life overnight.

Choose one area from this list that feels manageable - maybe it's buying a water filter, switching to fragrance-free laundry detergent, or swapping your plastic water bottle for glass.

As that change becomes normal, add another.

Over time, these small shifts significantly reduce your overall toxic exposure - and that matters for your hormones, your fertility, and your future baby's health.

Personalised Support for Preconception Care

If you're trying to conceive and want personalised guidance on preconception nutrition, reducing toxic load, and optimising your body for pregnancy, I offer 1:1 consultations via Zoom Australia-wide (and in person on the Nambucca Valley by request).

We'll look at:

• Your current exposure levels and where to focus first

• Nutrition to support detoxification and hormone balance

• Herbal medicine to support fertility

• Preconception protocols tailored to your unique health history

I've also created a free Preparing for Pregnancy Guide that explores the essentials of preconception care - from nourishing your body and restoring nutrients to supporting hormones and understanding your cycle.

When you're ready for personalised care, you're welcome to book a free discovery call to see if we're the right fit.

What's One Small Change You Can Make Today?

Reducing toxic load when trying to conceive doesn't have to be overwhelming.

Start with one swap. Then another. Then another.

Your body - and your future baby - will thank you.