Smog and pregnancy: Delhi docs warn against panic moves, advise 'smartprotection' instead

Doctors are witnessing a worrying rise in complaints from pregnant women suffering breathlessness fatigue and elevated blood pressure as the city air pollution continues to remain alarmingly highHealth experts have flagged that the toxic air poses heightened risks to expectant mothers and their babies They however stop short of advising panicdriven moves like sudden relocation or travel which they say may not be the safest responseDelhi air continues to threaten vulnerable groups such as children the elderly and pregnant womenGynaecologists warn that the fine particulate matter PM25 and PM10 prevalent in the citys air can pass through the bloodstream and affect the placenta reducing oxygen supply to the baby and increasing the risk of preterm deliveriesDr Swapnil Agrahari an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Silverstreak Multispeciality Hospital said Pregnant women are understandably anxious but its important not to act in haste Travelling out of the city during peak pollution months can itself cause stress and expose women to infectionsInstead they should focus on smart protection such as the use of N95 masks air purifiers keeping windows sealed staying hydrated and limiting outdoor exposure during peak pollution hours she saidDr Yashica Gudesar director and unit head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Max Super Speciality Hospital Dwarka said poor air can aggravate fatigue nausea and respiratory discomfort during pregnancy and yet stress and anxiety can be equally harmfulThe focus should be on building daily resilience she saidBesides staying indoors during high smog hours Dr Gudesar advised keeping airpurifying plants like areca palm or peace lily and maintaining good nutrition and hydrationShe suggested including in the diet natural detoxifiers such as jaggery which she said helps clear pollutants from the respiratory tract and offers mild protective benefitsRegular monitoring can ensure that even in challenging environmental conditions both mother and baby remain safe and wellsupported she saidWhile some experts suggested that those with the option could temporarily move to cleaner regions for a few months most agree that the priority should be consistent preventive care and medical supervisionDoctors recommend that pregnant women use N95 masks when stepping outdoors keep air purifiers running in living and sleeping areas and avoid morning walks or outdoor activities when pollution levels are at their peakWith Delhis cloudseeding experiment failing to provide respite healthcare professionals emphasise awareness and preparedness over alarmDr Astha Dayal director obstetrics and gynaecology CK Birla Hospital Gurgaon said We are seeing firsthand how rising pollution affects expecting mothers and is also causing a panic situation for them Studies show that prolonged exposure to severe smog can increase risks of low birth weight preterm birth and respiratory issues But we dont need to take panicdriven decisions like sudden travel or staying indoors for days which arent practicalShe recommended expectant mothers to stay wellhydrated and continue with prenatal careWith consistent precautions most pregnant women can safely navigate this period without anxiety overwhelming their pregnancy experience she saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever