Gardening is a wonderful hobby and it can even be a good exercise depending on how large your garden may be. Growing a garden filled with flowers, or fruits and vegetables is also a healthy way to tend to your nesting needs when you are pregnant. However, if you are using fertilizer in your garden, you need to be aware of some gardening hazards during pregnancy.

Fertilizers vs. pesticides

The first thing to know is that fertilizers are very different from pesticides. Fertilizers are available in liquid and dry forms and their purpose is to nourish the plants and help them grow. They contain vitamins and nutrients necessary for optimal plant health. 

Pesticides are much more dangerous and can bring more potential harm to a growing fetus.

Pesticides, on the other hand, are designed to kill pests, such as insects, snails, mildew, etc… which might kill the plants. Pesticides are much more dangerous and can bring more potential harm to a growing fetus. However, there are certain precautions, you should take when using fertilizers as well.

There are different types of chemical and organic fertilizers. Complete inorganic fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and even though these are natural substances, absorbing them through your skin can have adverse effects. You must also protect yourself from any existing pesticides that may already be in the garden.

Check out our Pregnancy Safety Guide!

Gardening precautions

• Wear rubber gloves. Keep all fertilizers, liquid and dry, from coming into contact with your skin.

• Wear a hat and sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays and protect yourself from overheating.

• Take it easy. Gardening can be back-breaking work and with an added growing belly, you should practice slow and careful movements when bending down and getting up.

• Wash your hands and forearms thoroughly after every outing.

• Change your clothes when you come back in the house to get rid of any residual chemicals, which may have brushed up against pants and sleeves.
• Stay Hydrated. Your body is experiencing so many changes and utilizing so much energy during pregnancy, so you must keep supplying it with enough liquids to sustain yourself. The body can deplete the water reserves in just a small amount of time while exerting yourself out in the sun.