Pregnancy Safe Candles: Risks & Benefits

A lot of products go off limits during pregnancy. As an expecting mother, you have to be very cautious about the products you use. When you’re pregnant, some candles can have a negative effect on your health, so you have to make sure to use pregnancy safe candles.

Even today, some candles emit harmful synthetic chemicals into the air. Inhaling them has negative consequences to your health.

Especially when you’re pregnant, you have to stay mindful of products that can negatively affect not only you, but your baby, too.

We know how special this journey is for expecting mothers. A lot of questions and a lot of varying answers. We’re here to shed light on what kind of pregnancy safe candles you can use in your daily life and to help you understand how certain candles can be harmful.

You have to understand that pregnancy changes your body. It makes you more vulnerable to toxic chemicals. Understanding the dangers allows you to make an informed choice when purchasing candles so that you can still enjoy them – and to enjoy them safely.

Candles aren’t the only thing that can negatively affect your health during pregnancy, but we’re here to explain how and why certain candles can cause considerable health issues.

Even so, purchasing pregnancy safe candles also means that you’re purchasing candles that are safe for the environment. In the following article, we will discuss both the positive and the negative side of candles and how to use them safely and responsibly.

Understanding the Dangers

In what way can a candle harm your pregnant body?

It all comes down to chemical dangers.

A candle that is made from paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum, is harmful because it contains chemicals that we know as toluene and benzene, recognized as highly volatile aromatic hydrocarbons.

In combination, toluene and benzene add to an increased risk of cancer, but they also produce adverse reproductive effects, otherwise known as the inability to conceive or a premature termination – an abortion.

Now you see why they’re considered dangerous.

A candle often contains synthetic fragrances, especially phthalates.

Phthalates are used to soften plastic, but inhaling these toxic fragrances leads to many health issues. They are capable of damaging your liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system.

That’s why pregnancy safe candles don’t use paraffin wax or synthetic fragrances.

What other concerns should you keep in mind?

Lead is known to be very toxic to pregnant women. A candle is sometimes made with lead; to be more exact, it can be found in the wick of a candle. A burning candle releases lead into the air and, when inhaled, endangers not only yours, but your baby’s health, too.

Pregnancy safe candles don’t include lead at all, because it can cause a numerous amount of health issues, such as developmental delays.

That’s why expecting mothers have to be very cautious when it comes to the materials involved in the process of candle-making.

Not all wicks are made from lead. A much safer alternative utilizes cotton.

We also have to take into consideration the very smoke that a burning candle releases into the air. For example, paraffin wax creates black smoke that can lead to respiratory issues when inhaled. During pregnancy, you want to avoid toxic fumes and smokes at all costs.

In fact, you want to avoid them anyway – pregnant or not.

Paraffin wax can be extremely toxic, so that makes it a hard no when you’re using candles during pregnancy. These harmful particulates are no joke, and they can cause serious health issues. Therefore, you want to use safer, non-toxic and pregnancy safe variants.

Understanding the potential danger provides insight into what products are safe to use during pregnancy. A candle can be perfect when you’re looking to create a self-care ambiance to relieve stress, but you have to make sure to use pregnancy safe candles.

Choosing Pregnancy Safe Candles

Now that you know the risks and the dangers – what makes them safe for expecting mothers? First of all, pregnancy safe candles use natural wax, because natural wax, such as soy or beeswax, is free of harmful substances and made from organic materials.

Using pregnancy safe candles also helps the environment. How come? By purchasing all-natural candles scented only with essential oils, you’re adding another eco-friendly product into your life, a product that’s as good for your home as it is for your health.

Don’t forget to take into account the wick of a candle. As opposed to lead wicks that a candle often has, pregnancy safe candles include wicks made from cotton or natural alternatives. Wicks made from cotton, hemp or wood ensure a clean-burning process.

Make sure to keep a burning candle away from drafts in order to prevent the candle from producing soot. What does soot mean, exactly? Well, soot is released into the air in the case of incomplete burning of organic matter. That’s why drafts can be a headache.

Take all the steps necessary to ensure that a burning candle doesn’t release any black fumes or soot into your home. Even with all-natural toxic-free pregnancy safe candles, you have to keep in mind the exact location where you’re going to be lighting them.

When you’re at your local shop looking for pregnancy safe candles, consider the melting point, as well. Safer variants include a lower melting point. That means that a candle burns at a lower temperature, more slowly, and in doing so releases less chemicals.

The most fun part about using candles during pregnancy is choosing scents, but with a little baby on the way, you have to ensure that you prioritize safety above all else.

To some degree, every candle releases chemicals into the air. In order to reduce the amount, you have to place your pregnancy safe candles in an open area inside your home. Place it in a ventilated part of your home, but consider the duration of the burning, too.

The longer a candle burns, the more particulates it releases into the air.

Even with pregnancy safe candles, you want to make sure that they are burning for shorter periods of time so as to minimize any unnecessary health risks to yourself and your baby.

Here’s a breakdown of what you should look for in pregnancy safe candles:

1. First things first, you have to make sure that they’re made from natural waxes. Though there are many natural waxes, the safest options include soy wax, beeswax or coconut wax. Using candles during pregnancy is only safe when there are no harmful chemicals.

2. Additionally, remember to look for pregnancy safe candles that have a lower melting point. That implies less toxic chemicals released into the air, which means that it’s a great choice for expecting mothers, especially since black smoke can cause respiratory issues.

3. Pregnancy safe candles utilize essential oils extracted from plants, fruits and flowers. While there are many scented candles for you to choose from, essential oils don’t contain synthetic fragrances which can be harmful to anyone, and not just pregnant women.

4. Aside from natural waxes and essential oils, you want to make sure that the candles you burn have natural wicks and are free from any kind of toxic metals, especially lead, because lead is known to produce black smoke which releases additional chemicals.

5. Keep in mind that pregnancy safe candles come in great variety and they also may include other natural benefits. For example, some pregnancy safe candles use herbs and spices so as to provide aromatherapy, which can be beneficial for expecting mothers.

By following these guidelines, you can still enjoy all the benefits of pregnancy safe candles at your home. Just make sure to shop with your and your baby’s safety in mind.

Another thing to note is the fact that pregnancy safe candles may be falsely labeled as ‘organic’. As such, we advise familiarizing yourself with all the key ingredients so as to ensure that you’re actually purchasing products free of toxic and harmful materials.

In other words, read the ingredients.

The Importance of Use and Placement

Let’s say you went to the shop and purchased pregnancy safe candles with the resources and information provided above. There’s still something left for you take into account.

You have to be careful about placement when using candles during pregnancy.

Even the best pregnancy safe candles release smoke into the air. Therefore, the very placement of the candle matters, because you can additionally lower the risks and exposure to harmful chemicals by being smart about how and where you place it.

Even though you may want your pregnancy safe candles to match the aesthetic and the ambience of the room you’re in, it’s important that you place them in an open area. An airy, well-ventilated room makes for a perfect location for pregnancy safe candles.

The flame may look tiny and harmless, but it’s still a flame. With poor placement, you risk the danger of your surroundings catching fire. As such, make sure to place them away from curtains, children or even pets, if you have them. As always, prioritize safety.

The question remains as to how long should pregnancy safe candles burn. Well, the longer they burn, the more chemicals get released into the air, the more smoke and more soot. For those reasons precisely, we advise keeping a candle going for an hour at the very most.

Suffice to say that you should never leave your candles burning unattended. Additionally, keep a careful eye over them as they burn and watch out for overheating and dripping.

Before you light your pregnancy safe candles, check the wick. Is it properly trimmed? A well trimmed wick helps prevent black smoke and soot from being produced and contaminating the air. Don’t forget to make sure that it’s distanced from the wax, too.

Keep all of these things in mind and you’re good to go. Using candles during pregnancy can have a positive effect on your mental well-being, so it’s important that we mind the risks and the dangers so as to allow you to use these products safely and smartly.

Candle Benefits During Pregnancy

Pregnant women can safely enjoy candles and all the benefits they provide. During pregnancy, it’s important that expecting mothers take good care of their mental well-being due to the amount of stress and anxiety that they may experience on this unique journey.

A little bit of self-care goes a long way. As your body and life change, you may easily find yourself feeling overwhelmed. Assuming that you’ve properly familiarized yourself with the risks and reduced them sufficiently, pregnancy safe candles can help you relax.

After all, it’s why you’re getting them in the first place.

Dealing with stress and anxiety can be extremely difficult, but a scented candle adds that hint of soothing ambience that positively uplifts your spirits and makes you feel truly rejuvenated. The right kind of lighting and pleasant scents nourish your well-being.

Even if you’ve never tried it before, some candles provide aromatherapy benefits due to the essential oils included. From lavender to chamomile, essential oils are known to have a soothing effect on your mind and body, helping you deal with the stress of pregnancy.

The more you tend to your needs, the more you tend to the needs of your baby.

The relaxation that candles provide, especially the harmonious combination of soft light and soothing scents, is known to improve sleep. However, you should never fall asleep with your candles still burning. Extinguish them when you’re ready to close your eyes.

Also, one of the key benefits of using candles during pregnancy is the fact that they put you in just the right mood. If you and your partner need to reignite your romance and to reduce stress, using candles sets the mood and significantly improves your sex life.

All benefits aside, maybe you just like the aesthetic.

Candles have a certain charm going for them that no amount of artificial lighting can properly imitate. Even if you’re just using them for decoration, you can get the most out of them by using pregnancy safe candles and keeping yourself and your baby safe.

In Conclusion

In general, pregnant women can safely enjoy candles and choose from a variety of scents that they like.

So long as you mind the risks and know your way around the ingredients, you can purchase pregnancy safe candles and create a safe and cozy self-care oasis.

To recap, a candle should include natural wax, essential oils and a metal-free wick. Just make sure to remember the importance of positioning so as to enjoy your ambience safely.

The importance of self-care during pregnancy can’t be overstated. This is a special time for every expecting mother. Yes, you have to take some extra precautions with a lot of products, since there’s a lot of ingredients out there that can be harmful to your baby.

But, with a little bit of research, you can make sure that you’re always purchasing toxic-free products that have no negative health risks when it comes to your pregnant body.

Dealing with stress and anxiety is important, and if candles help you create a comfortable environment for you to relax and unwind, then don’t hesitate to include them into your day-to-day life so long as you’re staying mindful of what makes them safe or harmful.