PFAS and Pregnancy Complications: What Expecting Families Need to Know
Research links PFAS to preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth. Learn what the science says and how to reduce your exposure.
PFAS and Pregnancy Complications: What Expecting Families Need to Know
Pregnancy comes with a long list of things to watch out for: blood pressure, blood sugar, weight gain, fetal growth. What almost nobody mentions is the class of synthetic chemicals sitting quietly in your drinking water, cookware, and food packaging while all of that monitoring is happening. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the compounds known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” keep showing up in studies on pregnancy complications, and the findings have gotten consistent enough that they are worth paying attention to.
I want to be clear: PFAS exposure is not the only factor behind any of these complications. Genetics, age, pre-existing health conditions, and plenty of other variables play a role. But the research connecting PFAS to outcomes like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth has reached a point where it is worth knowing about, especially if you are pregnant or planning to be.
For more context on how PFAS affect reproductive health, see our guides to PFAS and female fertility and PFAS and male fertility.
Preeclampsia and PFAS
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure and organ damage, usually after 20 weeks. It affects roughly 1 in 25 pregnancies in the United States and can be life-threatening for both mother and baby. Researchers have been looking at whether PFAS exposure raises the risk, and recent evidence suggests it does.
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth pooled data from seven studies and found that both PFOA and PFOS were significantly associated with increased preeclampsia risk. The pooled odds ratios were 1.24 for PFOA and 1.26 for PFOS, meaning women with higher blood levels of these compounds had roughly 24-26% higher odds of developing preeclampsia compared to women with lower levels.
What really caught my attention, though, was a separate study published in Reproductive Toxicology that tried to figure out the “how.” The researchers measured 38 PFAS compounds in the blood of women with and without preeclampsia, and then tested what PFOS does to blood vessel cells in the lab. Women with preeclampsia had PFOS levels more than twice as high as women without it. In cell experiments, PFOS suppressed VEGFR2, a receptor that is essential for building new blood vessels. That matters because healthy placental development depends on robust blood vessel growth, and when that process gets disrupted, preeclampsia is one of the things that can follow.
A 2025 study in Environmental Health also found that PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA were positively associated with diastolic blood pressure across pregnancy, which fits with the preeclampsia findings.
Gestational Diabetes and Blood Sugar
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy when the body cannot make enough insulin to handle the increased demands. It raises the risk of a larger-than-expected baby, delivery complications, and type 2 diabetes later in life for both mother and child.
A large-scale systematic review and meta-analysis published in eClinicalMedicine in 2026 pulled together 129 studies covering 18 different PFAS compounds. The researchers, led by a team at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, found that PFAS exposure was “consistently associated with increased likelihood” of gestational diabetes. In prospective studies, PFOS and PFBS showed the clearest links. Case-control studies added PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, and several others to the list.
The working explanation centers on insulin resistance. PFAS can interfere with hormone signaling, trigger inflammation, and alter how the pancreas functions, all of which make it harder for the body to keep blood sugar in check. Pregnancy already pushes your metabolic system hard, which may explain why PFAS-related effects become more visible during this period than at other points in life.
Preterm Birth and Fetal Growth Restriction
Babies born before 37 weeks face higher risks of breathing problems, feeding difficulties, and developmental delays. Fetal growth restriction, where the baby measures smaller than expected for gestational age, adds another layer of worry.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s 2024 narrative review linked PFAS exposure to both preterm birth and fetal growth restriction. The review found that PFAS have been detected in placental tissue, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord blood, confirming that these chemicals cross the biological barriers that are supposed to protect a developing baby.
A 2026 narrative review in Current Research in Toxicology traced the thread from preconception all the way through lactation, finding evidence of PFAS-related effects at every stage. The authors specifically flagged preterm birth and low birth weight among the outcomes associated with higher maternal PFAS levels.
How PFAS Reach the Baby
PFAS enter your body mainly through contaminated drinking water, food that has contacted PFAS-treated packaging, and household products. What makes them different from most environmental chemicals is their persistence: some PFAS compounds have blood half-lives of several years, so they accumulate with ongoing exposure rather than clearing out between doses.
During pregnancy, PFAS cross the placenta. Studies have measured these compounds in cord blood, amniotic fluid, and breast milk. That means the developing baby is exposed to whatever has built up in the mother’s body, plus any new exposure during the pregnancy itself. The placenta is not the impermeable shield most of us imagine it to be, at least not when it comes to PFAS.
Practical Steps to Lower Exposure
You cannot eliminate every PFAS source, but you can take on the biggest ones. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, these are the changes that matter most.
Filter your drinking water
Contaminated drinking water is one of the primary ways PFAS accumulate in the body. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective solution for home use. The APEC ROES-50 Reverse Osmosis System installs under the sink and removes PFAS along with heavy metals and other contaminants.
If a full RO system is not in the budget, the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is independently tested for PFAS removal and requires no plumbing work. For a data-driven approach, a Tap Score PFAS Water Test will tell you exactly what is in your tap water before you invest. Our guide to certified PFAS water testing compares lab options.
Switch your cookware
Non-stick pans with traditional PTFE coatings are a common PFAS source in the kitchen. Switching to uncoated materials removes that route entirely. A Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is PFAS-free by design, and Lodge explicitly confirms no PFAS in their manufacturing process. Our non-stick cookware guide covers the full range of alternatives.
Move food storage to glass
PFAS can leach from packaging materials into food, especially when containers are heated. The Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Glass Food Storage Set replaces plastic containers for leftovers and meal prep without any coatings to worry about.
For food wrapping, Bee’s Wrap Beeswax Food Wraps offer a reusable, PFAS-free alternative to plastic wrap. Our guide to PFAS-free food storage bags has more options.
Review personal care products
PFAS show up in cosmetics and personal care products more often than you would expect, especially anything labeled waterproof, long-wear, or smoothing. During pregnancy, when your skin is absorbing everything it contacts, that matters. Our guides to PFAS in concealer, PFAS in face moisturizer, and PFAS in sunscreen can help you audit what is on your shelf.
How Long Before Levels Drop?
PFAS half-lives in the body range from about two to eight years depending on the compound. That sounds discouraging, but every day of lower exposure starts tipping the balance. If you are planning a pregnancy, starting these changes a few months before trying to conceive gives your body more time to clear accumulated PFAS.
If you want to know your current levels, PFAS blood testing is available through select clinics and direct-to-consumer labs. It is most useful if you live near a known contamination site or have other reasons to suspect elevated exposure.
For products that have already been checked for PFAS, browse the PFAS Free Life Database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PFAS cause preeclampsia?
Research has found a significant association between PFAS exposure and preeclampsia risk. A 2025 meta-analysis of seven studies found that women with higher PFOA levels had 24% higher odds of preeclampsia, and those with higher PFOS levels had 26% higher odds. Lab studies suggest PFOS may interfere with blood vessel development in the placenta by suppressing a receptor called VEGFR2. These are associations, not proof of direct causation, but the pattern is consistent enough to take seriously.
Does PFAS exposure increase the risk of gestational diabetes?
A 2026 systematic review of 129 studies found that PFAS exposure was consistently associated with increased gestational diabetes risk. PFOS and PFBS showed the clearest links in prospective studies, with PFOA, PFNA, and several other compounds also associated in case-control analyses. The mechanism likely involves PFAS-driven insulin resistance and disruption of endocrine signaling during pregnancy.
Can PFAS cause preterm birth?
The ASRM’s 2024 review linked maternal PFAS exposure to preterm birth and fetal growth restriction. PFAS have been found in placental tissue and cord blood, confirming that these chemicals reach the developing baby. The evidence is still accumulating, but reducing PFAS exposure during pregnancy is a reasonable precaution.
What is the most important step to reduce PFAS during pregnancy?
Start with your drinking water. It is one of the primary exposure routes, and a quality filter can remove most PFAS. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective option, but a certified pitcher filter is a solid start. From there, move to cookware and food storage, since those are the next biggest sources for most households.