Fish oil may counteract the harmful effects of plastics on pregnancy and infants, experts say. Pthalates are a family of industrial compounds primarily used in plastics. Pthalates are not bound to the plastic, so they leach out and have become "ubiquitous environmental contaminants." They are known to adversely effect fetal development and to shorten pregnancy duration. They stimulate the fetus in such a way as to promote inflammation, creating "a fetal systemic inflammatory response syndrome and a leading cause of preterm birth." Researchers believe that pregnant women can avert the harmful effects of phalates by consuming omega-3 fatty acids. Remember that these fats, found in fish oil, are profoundly anti-inflammatory and are necessary for normal development and function of the nervous system. You should also avoid phalates by storing your food and beverages in glass, rather than plastic containers. Read the summary of the paper In utero exposure to phthalates and fetal development.