Air quality and pregnancy: did you know there are risks? When you or your partner is pregnant, it seems like the health warnings never stop. It’s a never-ending list of things you probably shouldn’t eat or do. How about adding something to the list that you can do to protect your newborn child and yourself from some negative health effects? Fixing your home’s air quality can improve your overall health and protect you from some negative effects that might harm you or your baby.
Here’s how air quality can impact pregnancy.
Asthma
Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may increase your child’s odds of developing asthma. This is independent of whether or not you have asthma. However, if you do, you should manage it closely during pregnancy as it can cause serious complications such as preeclampsia.
Autism
While there are many theories as to what might contribute to the development of Autism, there is some evidence that poor air quality may be involved. Mothers who are exposed to high particulate matter during their third trimester have double the odds of having a child with Autism. Sources of high particulate matter include highways, but your home may have high levels even if you don’t live near one.
Low Birth Weight
It seems that high levels of air pollution can result in reduced birth weight for babies. Research demonstrated that in Beijing, women who gave birth during the Beijing Olympics gave birth to children 0.8 ounces heavier. The reason may have been an increase in air quality. The Chinese government had to reduce its air pollution to host the Olympics.
Birth weight is important, as children who are underweight are prone to more health issues and may struggle to thrive. While low birth weight is a major problem in other parts of the world, it is still a concern in North America.
If you want to improve your indoor air quality, reach out to us today.
Miscarriage Risk
It is possible that short-term exposure to very high levels of air pollution can increase the risk of a miscarriage. Long-term exposure to lower levels of air pollutants may also affect your fertility. One study found that northern Californian women had better fertility rates after several coal-burning plants shut down.
Premature Birth
Exposure to air pollution may also cause premature birth. Researchers at the Stockholm Environment Institute estimate that nearly 3 million women give birth too early each year due to air pollution. These children are at a higher risk for many disorders and disabilities.
Improve Your Air Quality Today
Thankfully, you can take steps to protect your pregnancy from these adverse effects of bad air quality. Reach out to us to discuss ways to improve your air quality for your pregnancy. We have many ventilation and air purifier options, and we can match you with the right one based on your home and priorities.
