Dr. Aruna Kalra, Director Gynaecologist & Obstetrician, C K Birla Hospital (Gurugram), 0
Effects of Air Pollution on Pregnancy
Fertility Troubles: Due to the extreme rise in pollution levels, the air we breathe in can trouble us majorly and can put our chances of expanding our family at great risk. Many studies have found that air pollution can be one of the contributors of lower fertility rates in women and men. Some other researches also ascertained that air pollution may also be a reason for miscarriages. This is because inhaling polluted air is known to be as dangerous as smoking during pregnancy.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Air pollution creates great risk for infants. At times, your and your baby's life can be put in immense danger if you are regularly exposed to passive smoke. Bad air quality also contributes to sudden infant death syndrome in babies.
Underweight Delivery: During normal pregnancies, delivery takes place in 38 to 40 weeks with the baby's weight being about six to nine pounds. If in a pregnancy, the baby's weight is less than five pounds and eight ounces, then the baby is considered to be weak and
underweight. An underweight delivery can take place due to a number of reasons however, exposure to bad air quality while being pregnant is considered to be a major reason.
Development of Autism: Pregnant women, when exposed to excessive air pollution during their pregnancy period, have a greater risk of developing autism for their babies in comparison to women who breathe cleaner air. Some researchers say that air pollution contains a huge number of contaminants which can interrupt the baby's brain development.
Premature Delivery: Air pollution is a big reason behind premature deliveries. Babies born before time often have a risk of developing permanent physical disabilities and neurological disorders. Though pre-term birth can happen to any woman due to many reasons, we should try avoiding air pollution to be one.
Everything that an expecting mother consumes, drinks and inhales, goes directly to her fetus. It is very important to keep a check on the air quality before heading out of the house, it may help to limit or avoid the time when the pollution is on peak. Usually in the morning, ozone levels tend to be lower. If air pollution is at its peak, it is always safe to be indoors.
Here are some tips to reduce the risks of air pollution
Indoor Plants: Many indoor plants provide oxygen and have the ability to filter the indoor air. They help you and your baby in inhaling fresh air by removing hazardous compounds from the atmosphere and substituting carbon dioxide with oxygen.
Use of Natural Products: There are many household cleaning products that contain harmful chemicals. Hence, in order to create a healthy environment, you can use natural household cleaners like vinegar to clean surfaces, an electric chimney while cooking, and a carbon monoxide detector. You can also avoid being in or going into a freshly painted room or a room that has people who are smoking. This is because passive smoking is equally dangerous.
Development of Autism: Pregnant women, when exposed to excessive air pollution during their pregnancy period, have a greater risk of developing autism for their babies in comparison to women who breathe cleaner air. Some researchers say that air pollution contains a huge number of contaminants which can interrupt the baby's brain development.
Premature Delivery: Air pollution is a big reason behind premature deliveries. Babies born before time often have a risk of developing permanent physical disabilities and neurological disorders. Though pre-term birth can happen to any woman due to many reasons, we should try avoiding air pollution to be one.
Everything that an expecting mother consumes, drinks and inhales, goes directly to her fetus. It is very important to keep a check on the air quality before heading out of the house, it may help to limit or avoid the time when the pollution is on peak. Usually in the morning, ozone levels tend to be lower. If air pollution is at its peak, it is always safe to be indoors.
Here are some tips to reduce the risks of air pollution
Indoor Plants: Many indoor plants provide oxygen and have the ability to filter the indoor air. They help you and your baby in inhaling fresh air by removing hazardous compounds from the atmosphere and substituting carbon dioxide with oxygen.
Use of Natural Products: There are many household cleaning products that contain harmful chemicals. Hence, in order to create a healthy environment, you can use natural household cleaners like vinegar to clean surfaces, an electric chimney while cooking, and a carbon monoxide detector. You can also avoid being in or going into a freshly painted room or a room that has people who are smoking. This is because passive smoking is equally dangerous.