Bengaluru Pulmonologist Shares 6 Tips for Expecting Mothers to Protect Their Health Amid High pollution in Urban Cities
Pollution levels in urban cities are rising at an alarming rate,and with no immediate respite in sight,vulnerable groups who face a higher risk of complications need to be extra cautious. Pregnant mothers are especially susceptible, since polluted air can negatively impact the body in multiple ways and even adversely influence the baby’s progress. So it becomes important for pregnant women to take practical steps to safeguard their health and their baby’s well-being.
To understand what practical steps expecting mothers can take, HT Lifestyle reached out to Dr Pavan Yadav, director and senior consultant – interventional pulmonology, lung transplantation and sleep medicine, KIMS Hospitals (Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences), Bengaluru.
He shared that poor air quality is a genuine health concern during pregnancy.
“When the air around us turns hazy, and the AQI shoots up, most of us feel irritation in our throats and eyes. But for expecting mothers, the impact is far more serious. Polluted air can disturb normal breathing, raise stress levels in the body, and even affect the baby’s growth,” Dr Yadav added.
The pulmonologist also highlighted some warning signs that may require medical attention, saying, “Most importantly, pregnant women should not ignore new breathlessness, fatigue or persistent cough during high pollution phases. A fast medical review ensures everything is normal.”
The pulmonologist listed out these 6 tips for expecting mothers, which will aid in protecting their health during periods of high pollution. (The remaining tips were not provided in the source text.)
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