Unfortunately ladies, most cleaning products are safe to use during pregnancy. Yes, even bleach. So you don't have to call a maid to do the household cleaning unless you want to. If you are going to stick to doing the dirty work yourself, there are steps that you can take while cleaning during pregnancy to keep you and your baby safe from harm.

Step 1: Make sure that you have good ventilation where you are cleaning.

Step 2: Wear protective gloves and clothing to protect your skin.

Step 3: Always read the warning and instruction labels.

Step 4: Never mix different chemicals, such as ammonia and bleach, doing this can be very dangerous for anyone to inhale.

Step 5: Avoid cleaning the oven since it is such a tight space and the ventilation is not good.

Step 6: If your partner is around, have them do the cleaning!

If you feel uncomfortable using chemical cleaning products, go natural. Using baking soda and vinegar can do wonders for cleaning just about anything in your home from the kitchen to the bathroom. It might be a good idea to get rid of the chemical products in your home now since you won't want these chemicals sitting around in your home once the little one arrives. These chemical products CAN be harmful to the baby if they are swallowed.

Reprinted with permission from American Pregnancy Association