Is pollution harmful for pregnant women?

Research findings show that exposure of pregnant women to air pollution can be very harmful for the babies in several ways. The findings show that air pollution can restrict fetal growth. Read more to find out how air pollution could harm the baby inside a mother.

Carbon monoxide and Pregnancy

Carbon monoxide forms a major quantity in the composition of the air pollutants that are present in the atmosphere.

Carbon monoxide is a fatal gas that can even kill humans when in high level of concentration. In cities, there is a large composition of carbon monoxide in the air due to the release from industries, vehicles like cars, trucks, furnaces, etc. Everybody is aware that the air in cities is far from cleanliness and purity.

When the mother-to-be inhales carbon-monoxide, it enters the body and interferes with proper growth of the baby.

Carbon monoxide can prove harmful for a baby in the womb. Carbon monoxide interferes with proper circulation of oxygen in the body. Carbon monoxide also interferes with the blood's ability to circulate oxygen equally to all parts of the body and the different organs. When carbon monoxide crosses the placenta in the fetus, and causes inadequate circulation of oxygen for the baby, it may result in a condition known as 'fetal growth retardation'.

Carbon monoxide is unquestionably dangerous, but it is not possible for a woman who is living in a polluted area or city, to hold her breath every time she steps out of her house.

PAH and Pregnancy

PAH or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are chemicals which are released in the air due to burning of coal, oil and gas, diesel, or other organic substances like tobacco.

Research indicates that exposure to PAH during the stage when the baby is in the fetus, can result in problems in the IQ during later stages of the child's life.

In urban areas, motor vehicles highly contribute to the rise of PAH levels in the air.

Studies were conducted among children who had pre-natal exposure to PAH and those with lesser exposure to PAH testing their verbal IQ levels. Children with more exposure to PAH had lower IQ scores than the children from the other group.

Children who were exposed to PAH more than an average level were placed in the category of high exposure while those children exposed to PAH lesser than the average level came under the category of low exposure. PAH and Chromosomal Abnormalities

Studies reveal that environmental exposure during pregnancy to combustion related air-pollutants (PAH's) increases the chances of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetal tissues.

Studies also indicated that increase in exposure to the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide in pregnant women can result in babies being born with low birth weight.

Coping with Pollution during Pregnancy

Following are certain precautions that can be taken by pregnant women to keep the baby in good health.

• Pregnant women should avoid outdoor exercise in polluted areas. A pregnant woman should avoid walking, running, jogging, or cycling near roads which generally have heavy traffic.
• Avoid situations which involve you coming in contact with a lot of smoke.
• Remember to keep a check on the car for any leaks.
• If your car is parked in a garage, don't start the car with garage door closed. Open the garage doors before starting the car.

It is true that millions of healthy babies are born to women living in polluted cities and those who have had exposure to a lot of smoke. But, in order to be on the safer side, take precautions to make sure that you as well as your baby remain in good health.

All parents desire that their baby must be born healthy. Any problems with the health of the baby would cause real sorrow to parents. Therefore, it's best that all necessary care and precautions are taken by the mother during pregnancy and the doctor's advice is being followed religiously.