Is Nail polish dangerous to the fetus' development? Please advice

Hi,

I am kind of freaking out here.
I went to the mall 3 days back and after a couple of hours had terrible leg pain.I thought I should I get a pedicure as it would be relaxing to soak feet and the massage.

The place was pretty roomy,not cramped and 2 men were getting pedicures on each side of where I sat.
The beautician said since I was pregnant she wouldnt do a massage at all.I was disappointed.She did everything else,feet scrubbing,soaking and painting my nails.

Now when I came back I read online that nail polish can harm the fetus' genital development,especially if its a baby boy.I am 26 weeks with a baby boy.
I am so worried.Many articles said nail poish fumes have some chemical which can do that.

I know I did not inhale any fumes,because I didnt paint my nails myself,didnt get a manicure, and there were 2 men next to me so both were not getting any nail paint.
The mancure area was about 12 feet away.

I am still getting very scared.

Please tell me if you have heard something like that?

What do I do now? Remove the nail pain with a non-acetone remover or leave it?

Hey Sabiha,

This is a news to me.. i have never heard manicure or pedicure has anything to do with the fetus.. I may be wrong.. But why do you say it is wrong only if it is a boy??? I have also seen people doing cleaning using not harsh chemicals.. and they have had beautiful healthy babies... Do not worry.. nothing would happen with something you do outside on your body..

Heres a link from babycenter.. check it out...

Is it safe to get a manicure while I'm pregnant? | BabyCenter

Getting a massage during pregnancy is always a good relaxation technique to the muscles and am not sure why that lady refused to do it.. The only thing is they have to be gentle as all the veins are popped out..!!

Never heard applying nail polish is harmful. I have got manicure and also massages the only thing is you have to tell them that you are pregnant and not to press very hard. Also there is no scientific proof that nail polish is harmful for you or your baby. But just be careful in the later part of third tri massages may trigger labor.

even i am so suprised to know that nail poilsh could harm a baby. Even I am carrying a baby boy and recently i had manicure and pedicure. I should ask about this to my gynec in my next visit.
-Priya

I am also waiting till my next appointment to find out. I never used nailpolish much before and got this pedicure after almost a year so am regretting it even more as its not a usual routine for me.

Also,I read that there are some trigger points around the ankle area that can trigger labor if pressed hard and thats why it seems she did not want to massage at all.

Here's an article about nailpolish and how it could harm the fetus.

CNN.com - Health - Group links nail polish to birth defects - November 29, 2000

When I was in US I used to go to a Internal Medicine doctor for my thyroid treatment and were just asking about pregnancy and what to avioid,etc and since I also knew that cosmetics in general is harmful to all I wanted to hear from a doctor,she said cosmetics are bad since they contain a lot of chemicals but she specifically told me not to put nail polish during pregnancy and said u can use other cosmetics during pregnancy but will def.have some effect,so that day I stopped using nail colors,I am 4 months pregnant now and for the past 3 yrs I've worn them onlt for 2-3 occasions,even for baby shower I am wearing very minimal makeup and will wash it as soon as the bangle ceremony is over.Though there is no evidence I think we can be a little careful,but dont worry.

I had my awarness about cosmetics and its harmful chemicals about 3 yrs back,the website has list of cosmetics products and the chemicals it has and the effect they can do to the body,they also say that prolonged use of cosmetics causes cancer.I dont remember the website exactly I used to type skin deep and it takes me to a cosmetics database site where they have all list of cosmetics brands,their prodcuts,the chemicals it contains and their effects.

Hi Sabiha,

It is ok now since you didn't know anything about nail polish. In case you are in two minds just remove the nail polish with the acetone and wash your hands thoroughly. Kindly refrain from applying nail polish during your pregnancy. Reason being is the nail polish contains chemicals like all others mentioned and may chip off when you are having your meals. All these can be done once your LO arrives. I till date don't apply nail polish. Though I have applied it before my pregnancy. I have become more particular after my delivery too.

Do not worry. Everything will be fine.

Satin,

Skin deep is a very informative site. Thanks.

What about lipstick and chap stick?? Any thoughts on them. I use them when i go to work or outside.
-Priya

I guess lipstick should be fine as long as its lead free.Sometime back they had to recall a lot branded lipsticks because of the lead it contained.
I also read that red lipstick had the most lead.
But I guess now with awareness all the brands have become safe.

It seems even nail polish with the harful chemicals are banned in UK but in USA they are still doing research on them.

Chapstick,I think that should be fine. I never use any chapsticks with flavors and fragnance though.In fact I think vaseline is the best,old and trusted.

Thanks Sabiha. I dont know if my lipstick is lead free or not. I guess i will stop using it totally. Somehow my DH likes lipstick and keeps insisting that i use it whenever we go out.
chapstick too i use a cherry flavour one. Maybe i will go to CVS today itself and get a leadfree lip stick and vaseline chapstick.
I hope that i havent harmed my LO with useage of all these.
-Priya

Originally Posted by Sabiha123

I guess lipstick should be fine as long as its lead free.Sometime back they had to recall a lot branded lipsticks because of the lead it contained.
I also read that red lipstick had the most lead.
But I guess now with awareness all the brands have become safe.

It seems even nail polish with the harful chemicals are banned in UK but in USA they are still doing research on them.

Chapstick,I think that should be fine. I never use any chapsticks with flavors and fragnance though.In fact I think vaseline is the best,old and trusted.