7 Ways Poor Air Quality Can Disturb Your Pregnancy

For the last couple of weeks, many parts of North India, particularly Delhi and the NCR, have been wrapped in a thick, white blanket of smog. The Air Quality Index (AQI) repeatedly touched 600 and beyond, a level considered severely hazardous. People woke up every morning with burning eyes, scratchy throats, headaches, and persistent coughs. While the situation is troublesome for normal people, it is particularly more alarming for pregnant women.

To understand how toxic air affects pregnancy, we spoke to Dr Vaishali Sharma, Senior Gynecologist and IVF Specialist, Apollo Cradle, Panchsheel Park, Delhi, who informed us that exposure to poor AQI is not just uncomfortable, it interferes with fetal development and maternal health. Therefore, knowing how poor air quality can disturb your pregnancy is very important to manage and maneuver your way through a healthy pregnancy.

Ways Poor Air Quality Can Disturb Your Pregnancy

According to Dr Sharma, following are a few ways poor air quality can disturb pregnancy:

1. Higher Risk of Preterm Birth

The polluted air contains minute particles such as PM2.5 and PM10, which reach the blood upon respiration. This leads to inflammations and release of stress hormones, which might increase the risk of preterm labor in expecting mothers. Preterm babies have to remain in NICU and also have higher long-term developmental and respiratory issues.

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2. Low Birth Weight

The toxic pollutants interfere with the nutrient and oxygen supply to the fetus. This results in poor growth of the baby inside the womb. According to Dr Sharma, low birth weight babies are prone to problems like weak immunity, difficulty in feeding, and developmental delays.

3. Increased Risk of Gestational Hypertension

Poor air quality is associated with causing damage to blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure. Pregnant women exposed to bad AQI are highly susceptible to gestational hypertension or even preeclampsia, conditions that may be life-threatening if not monitored and treated on time.

4. Higher Risk of Miscarriage

Dr Sharma explained that the longer the exposure to toxic pollutants, particularly during the first months of pregnancy, the higher the risk of miscarriage. Such substances as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide may interfere with the implantation of the embryo and normal hormonal balance.

5. Respiratory Problems in the Mother

Experts share that even otherwise healthy people are coughing or feeling short of breath in Delhi today. “In pregnant women, the lung capacity is anyway compromised owing to hormonal changes. Polluted air can aggravate bronchitis and asthma, besides leading to severe chest congestion, thereby severely reducing oxygen levels available for both mother and baby,” Dr Sharma noted.

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6. Impaired Placental Function

Recent research indicates that soot and pollution particles can cross from the mother's lungs into the placenta. According to Dr Sharma, these particles may affect how well the placenta supplies nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, increasing complications and affecting overall fetal development.

7. Increased Maternal Stress

Poor air quality restricts outdoor movements. Pregnant women feel it is impossible to stay outdoors, even to take walks or go to the doctor without some fear of pollution. This might raise stress levels, further affecting hormonal balance, sleeping, and general emotional well-being.

How to Reduce Exposure to Polluted Air

If you or someone you know is pregnant, here are some expert-apporved recommendations to redacted your exposure to polluted air :

• Staying indoors as much as possible on days of severe pollution.
• Using air purifiers at home.
• Wearing N95 masks while stepping out.
• Indoor plants like areca palm, aloe vera, and snake plant should be kept.
• Keeping hydrated and adding antioxidants to diet, such as fruits, nuts, and green tea.

Bottomline

Air pollution is all the way more harmful to pregnant women. It t directly affects the journey of pregnancy and the development of the baby. Therefore, being aware and prioritising preventive care are important until the air gets cleared.