Coal - is this bad?!

[MissTwister]

So I have happily been enjoying my fire over the cold last few weeks using wood, smokeless coal and a little bit of normal coal.

Last night I idly googled 'coal fire pregnancy' only to find out there's research evidence that having a coal fire in the house seriously increases lead in pregnant women's blood. And lead itself can lead to mental intelligence problems in the fetus alongside other issues.

So now I am worrying. What do people think? I've had it lit about twice or three times a week for the last month in the living room. I had the chimney swept before we used it. As I say using wood, smokeless coal (is this better?) and a little bit of real coal to get it going.

I seem to be getting everything wrong and doing things I had no idea would be detrimental then finding out later and it's really getting me down....everything seems dangerous....

My nan had 14 babies and had a coal fire. I'm sure you'll be fine

I've known women to eat coal with no ill effects on baby ... so I wouldn't worry too much ... maybe switch to a different substitute if you are still worried though :)

Thanks both. My husband told me to stop being so silly but I think one of the problems is I am just sick of constantly being told I am inadvertently doing something wrong by one person or the other!

I had a wood burner on with a mix of coal and wood throughout my pregnancies- no ill effects.
I know what you mean about everything seeming dangerous - there are lots of innocuous things that CAN affect unborn babies. But its all very very rare. Have you ever heard or read about any baby will any ill effects from a coal fire?
There are things that are well researched like drugs, alcohol, smoking, carbon monoxide levels etc etc then there are things sent to worry us like paint and coal fires!

Use wood and maybe some of those cos cardboard logs plus a firelighter?? Only if you are worried.

Try to relax as stress is not good for babies!;)

NancyRaygun you speak a lot of sense!! I need to calm down.....and no I've not read a huge amount about coal fire affected babies!

it wont harm your baby as long as the chimney has been swept and it has so put your feet up and enjoy the cozy coal fire. i would soooo love a coal fire i was brought up in the country and miss it sooooo much. i would have no issues whatsoever lighting a coal fire daily if i had one and im 32 weeks pregnant. if it was harmful im afraid i wouldnt be here. my grandad was a coal minor and the village i was brought up in only got central heating 10 years ago

Thought you were going to say you had cravings for coal as that's what my grandma had! She used to sniff, lick and even nibble it! My dad's turned out okay though.