I have heard several times that a big part of getting toxins out of our bodies is to cause sweating and then the toxins will leave in the sweat.  Sounds easy, right?  This is why people flock to saunas.  Unfortunately, sweat contains only tiny amounts of toxins.  I guess things that sound too good to be true are in fact that.    Maybe the confusion is because some tests have been developed to detect illegal drug use by testing sweat.  These are detecting tiny amounts of the byproducts of these drugs.  I have not been able to find any instance of an infant being harmed by coming into contact with sweat or of the effects of drugs being shortened by extreme sweating.  The good news is that there are plenty of other ways to rid our bodies of toxins even if sweating isn't one of them. We can pee and/or poop out many toxins if our kidneys and liver are working properly, so that's where our focus should be.

What sweat does contain is small amounts of minerals and vitamins, so if you're purposely sweating profusely to get rid toxins you're likely only losing your prenatal vitamin.  Calcium, sodium, magnesium, and other nutrients that are needed to build your baby's body and keep yours functioning properly are lost in sweat.  Sweat is mainly water because the whole purpose is for the body to cool itself.  Make sure if you're sweating that you're also drinking enough water so you avoid dehydration.  This ironically will cause the toxins to be kept in the body because your kidneys don't have enough water to do their job.  In addition, dehydration and loss of salt through sweat may increase chance of preeclampsia and low amniotic fluid.

I want to make sure to mention some cautions about detoxification in general for this time in life.  Breastmilk can contain toxins that have been stored in your fat cells.  This is why weight loss is suggested to only be 1 1/2 pounds a week at the most.  We're all exposed to environmental toxins, so try to limit it where you can.  Chemical cleaning products and pesticides shouldn't be handled by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or if absolutely necessary gloves should be used.  Storing and reheating food in certain types of plastic is another source of toxins that is often overlooked.