The effects of chemicals used to disect during pregnancy?

Question

I'm just finding out my I'm pregnant and I'm concerned about being contained in a room and being exposed to the chemicals that are used to disect. Does anyone know if it harmful or bad for the pregnancy?

Answer 1

I don't know anything official, but this is what happened with me: My husband and I married young, I was 18 and he was 19. We had our first 2 children while I was still going to college to get my Bachelor's degree. With my second pregnancy I was taking a Biology class in which dissecting a fetal pig was a major part of the grade. I had horrible morning sickness throughout that pregnancy and the smell of the formaldehyde was horrendous. I told my doctor I was taking the class and he said that there was no risk to the baby. That baby is now 26 years old so it is possible studies have shown a different recommendation. My pregnancy was fine and so was the baby. I was very fortunate that my lab partner in that class generally came in early in the week to work on the lab so she did most of the cutting. That helped immensely as did the bathroom that was just outside the lab door. I ended up throwing up a few times while trying to do the lab work. I suggest you check with your doctor for sure, but I don't think there is a problem.