I am 21 weeks pregnant, and i was wondering is it safe to use bug repellent, and if so, what? I don't want to use anything that will harm me or the baby.

Hi Krissie!

I use Skin So Soft. I'm not sure about the chemically ones, but I figured since that one was a cosmetic product and not a bug repellant, it was okay.

I looked it up, and the most common ingredient in many bug repellants is called "DEET". Some articles and studies say that it is okay, and others say it isn't (no studies have reported any harm to babies, just in animals) so I would advise against using products that contain DEET.

However, there are natural bug repellants that are fine to use. Some of them contain citronella, eucalyptus, and other natural repellants that are safe. I don't know if you have any near you, but Burts Bees sells an all natural repellant that is safe to use. Other than that, I would recommend Avon Skin So Soft OIL...in the original scent. Don't use the Skin So Soft repellants, or the other scents of their lotions. You want the original Skin So Soft oil formula. You can also burn citronella candles/torches in the yard when you are outside to repel bugs.

Hope that helps some...

When I was pregnant, I was scared to use DEET products because there are some studies that say they may possibly cause birth defects. We went camping one weekend in July, though, and I also didn't want to get a mosquito bite (West Nile virus!). I found these citronella patches in the store and used those instead. I didn't get any bug bites, so I guess they worked!

My doctor says that repellents are safe, but I chose not to use them (I'm not really outside that much anyway). I'd second the Skin So Soft recommendation over anything containing Deet though.

Thanks ladies!