pesticide tied to lower probability of live birth Eating vegetables and fruits high in pesticides may lower the probaility of live birth. Researchers studied 325 women undergoing fertility treatment. They collected data on medical and lifestyle factors and had the women fill out food frequency questionnaires. Pesticide residue on what the women ate was also calculated. The highest-one-quarter for pesticide residue produce consumption had an 18 percent lower probability of pregnancy and a 26 percent lower probability of live birth than those in lowest one quarter. If you want to eat peaches or spinach, the most contaminated food on the list, it makes sense to switch to the organic version.