Don’t Let Air Pollution Suffocate The Health & Happiness Out Of Your Pregnancy
But what about the air you breathe in? How do you protect your baby from the pollution surrounding you?
We all know the many ways in which pollution wrecks our health, but doctors and researchers have now found evidence suggesting that the growing fetus, too, isn’t immune to its effects. In fact, the results look more and more grim with every finding and the message gets clearer - Your baby isn’t safe even when it’s inside your womb.
Here are some of the effects of air pollution on pregnancy:
1. Premature birth and low birth weight: Sulphur Dioxide is a gas that is a byproduct of industrial activity and fossil fuel emissions. With every 1-part per billion (ppb) growth of Sulphur Dioxide in the air, pregnant women are more than three times likely to have babies with low birth weight and twice as likely to experience premature births. What’s worse is that such children are usually at the peril of neurological disorders and permanent physical disabilities.
2. High risk of miscarriage: The elevated levels of Nitrogen Dioxide- one of the most dangerous pollutants present in the air - has also increased the risk of miscarriage and complicated pregnancy by 16%. Shockingly enough, scientists have found traces of particulate matter in the placenta. Apparently, it enters the mother’s body through the nasal passage or gets absorbed through the skin, travelling to the baby in the womb via blood vessels.
3. Autism and the underdeveloped brain: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a kind of particulate matter formed when coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, and tobacco are burned. When mixed with air, PAHs can get swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. In a pregnant woman, it can eventually transfer to the fetus through the placenta. With overexposure to PAHs, 1 out of 2 pregnant women is likely to deliver a child with an underdeveloped brain. This could lead to mental health issues like autism and can compromise brain functioning in the years to come, leading to deficits in educational performance and impoverished motor skills.
These are just some of the complications that pollution brings with it for pregnant women. Other problems that could surface later in a child’s life are weak heart, unstable blood pressure, and asthma. Presence of heavy metals like lead in the air can also lead to kidney problems while inhaling pollutants like carbon monoxide can hamper the flow of oxygen in the body.
As we ruminate on these sobering details, the mind also races to what we can do to minimise the impact of air pollution on mothers-to-be and unborn babies? Can we really escape the effects of the all-pervading pollution around us?
We can.
Drinking 3-4 litres of fluid every day and eating a well-balanced diet is a start in the right direction for pregnant women. But don’t just stop there. Here are a few other steps you can take to mitigate the harm that pollution is causing.
Yoga and Breathing Exercises
Yoga is the best way to keep toxins from entering your body and increase the capacity of your lungs. The following two ‘Pranayamas’ (breathing exercises) are extremely effective in countering air pollution.
Bhastrika: It not only aids detoxification of the system but also helps provide energy to the body.
Kapalbhati: This exercise helps clear out all the toxins from the lungs and frontal brain.
Well-ventilated Homes
While room purifiers help, they have a limited role to play in cleaning indoor air. What works the best to dilute airborne pollutants in our homes and offices is cross ventilation. Open the windows and doors and let fresh air come in and the pollutants go out. This reduces the level of contaminants and improves indoor air quality. To prevent outdoor sources of pollutants (such as smoke or fumes) from getting in, follow the weather report and keep the doors and windows closed at those times of the day when air pollution is at its peak.
Get Air-purifying Plants
Houseplants clean the air and add beauty to your home. Plants, through photosynthesis, absorb the pollutants whereas the microorganisms present in the potting soil break down other harmful particles present in the air. Some of the NASA recommended air-cleaning houseplants are Peace Lily, Boston fern, Spider plant, Snake plant, and Flamingo Lily. Not only do you get to purify the house but you can also follow your hobby of gardening, which is considered therapeutic during pregnancy.
In addition to all this, make sure you go for regular antenatal tests and ultrasounds to keep a close watch over the baby's growth and development, the position of the placenta, and even amount of amniotic fluid. You could also consider foetal monitoring to observe the heartbeat and other vital signs of the baby in the womb.
Throughout the nine months of pregnancy, taking care of yourself automatically means that you'll be taking care of your baby. While it’s not possible to completely escape the effects of pollution, you can take steps to reduce its effects on yourself and the growing fetus. But above all, don’t let stress and worry bring you down. Stay positive and keep your mood high. As they say, happy you, happier baby!
