10 ways to enjoy a green pregnancy
By Metro Creative Connection

Many mothers-to-be would like to adopt a greener lifestyle so their child will be born into a more environmentally friendly world. However, going green doesn’t have to begin after the baby is born; making some changes beforehand will benefit you and baby.

1. Start a garden: It’s important to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables during pregnancy. What better place to find those important foods than right in your own backyard? Use all-natural fertilizers and pesticides on your garden to ensure eco-friendly, organic food. If you don’t have the space for a garden, shop organic at a local farmer’s market.

2. Do some fall cleaning: Go through your cabinets and properly discard of any harsh cleaning chemical products. Replace them with all-natural, biodegradable cleaning products. You’ll promote a safer environment in which your child can grow.

3. Bring more plants into the home: The EPA says that indoor air is often more polluted than the outdoor air we breathe. Plants help promote cleaner indoor air by filtering out toxins and purifying your home.

4. Investigate cloth diapers and a cleaning service: Cloth diapers that are reused over and over present less of an environmental impact than disposable diapers, say experts. Proponents also say they help children eventually learn to potty train faster because they do not hide the sensation of wetness or soiling as disposable diapers can. Cleaning services can pick up and deliver cloth diapers right to the home.

5. Install a water purifier: Reduce the number of disposable plastic water bottles that need to be recycled or end up in landfills by drinking more tap water. Ensure that the tap water is clean to your standards by installing a water purifier at home.

6. Choose organic cotton for baby: When you shop for baby clothes and bedding, go with all-natural organic cotton, which will limit the amount of chemicals and pesticides with which your baby will come in contact.

7. Seek out slightly-used baby gear: Find out if friends or family members have any baby gear they can lend to you. Just don’t use cribs or other equipment that is several years old, as the safety requirements for these pieces may have changed over the years. Not only will you save money using recycled items, there will be less baby-related trash going to landfills. You may be surprised to find how many moms are eager to rid their homes of baby gear that is now collecting dust since their infants have grown.

8. Shop secondhand maternity wear: If you don’t plan on having any other children, there’s no point in spending a fortune on maternity clothing you’ll only wear once. Online swap sites, garage sales and friends may be able to provide all the clothes you need to make it through the season. Also, if you are buying new, see if you can find some “regular” clothing that is roomy enough to accommodate your growing belly. Maternity clothes tend to be expensive. So if you can make due with a standard clothing line, you’ll save.

9. Use no-VOC paint in the nursery: Many paint manufacturers now offer no-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint, which doesn’t release toxins and fumes into the air.

10. Invest in a quality stroller and baby carrier: Walking is great exercise to get you back to your pre-baby weight and also is more eco-friendly than taking the car from here to there.