Read this article to know more about pregnancy and pollution. Read how rising pollution levels in cities can prove detrimental for pregnant women. Read about how high levels of pollution can cause problems in the fetus of the baby and other birth defects. Informative article with gives some important information for pregnant women,

According to researches conducted, findings show that exposure of pregnant women to air pollution can be harmful for the babies in many ways. Findings show that air pollution can restrict fetal growth. Read more to find out how air pollution is harmful for the baby inside a mother.

Carbon monoxide and Pregnancy

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

Carbon monoxide is a fatal gas which can even kill humans at a high level of concentration. In cities, there is a large composition of carbon monoxide in the air due to release from industries, cars, trucks, furnaces, etc .As, everybody knows the air in cities is far from cleanliness and purity.

When carbon-monoxide is inhaled by the mother, it enters the body and interferes with proper growth of the baby.

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

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

PAH and Pregnancy

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

Research shows that exposure to PAH during the stage when the baby is in the foetus, can results in problems in the IQ during the later stages of a child's life.

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

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

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

PAH and Chromosomal Abnormalities

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

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

Coping with Pollution during Pregnancy

Here are few precautions which can be taken by pregnant women to keep the baby in great health.

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