As air quality in New Delhi continues to decline following the Deepavali festival, pregnant women are increasingly reporting severe health issues. Reports from gynecologists indicate a rise in cases of breathlessness, fatigue, and elevated blood pressure among expectant mothers. Gazala Jamshed, a 31-year-old in her third trimester, expressed her concerns, stating, “Breathing becomes difficult during pregnancy. It only got worse after Deepavali this year. I am more concerned about how pollution will affect my baby.” After giving birth, Ms. Jamshed plans to return to her hometown in Uttarakhand, despite the complications associated with traveling shortly after a C-section.
Ms. Jamshed has even contemplated leaving Delhi entirely, noting, “I have read studies stating how pollution affects babies” development. But because of my government job, I cannot relocate.” She now wears a mask whenever she goes outside.
Healthcare professionals are feeling overwhelmed by the situation. Dr. Shama Batra, Director of Patel Hospital in East Delhi, reported, “During this season, asthma and allergies worsen, and many expectant mothers develop hypertension. Out of 20 patients a day, about half report such issues.” To mitigate risks, she recommends that patients remain indoors, keep windows closed, and utilize online consultations as much as possible.
For 36-year-old Garima Tyagi, who is six months pregnant, the festive season was a source of anxiety rather than celebration. “I did not step out at all and kept the air purifier on the whole time,” she said. Despite court restrictions on firecracker use, many continue to ignore the rules, further endangering the health of vulnerable populations, including pregnant women.
Doctors have identified pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions as particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of pollution. Dr. Manju Puri of SGT Hospital in Gurugram explained, “Pregnant women already need more oxygen, and during pollution season, breathing becomes deeper and faster. Pollutants like PM 2.5 and PM 10 can pass through the bloodstream into the placenta, reducing the baby”s oxygen supply.”
Dr. Puri warned of severe consequences, stating, “In severe cases, the placenta can detach, cutting off blood flow and leading to stillbirths. Oxygen deprivation also increases the risk of pre-term births and low birth-weight babies, who are more prone to diabetes and hypertension later in life.” She noted that some infants exhibit signs of distress by passing stool in the womb, which has contributed to a rise in C-sections during this period. Additionally, studies have linked high levels of pollution to increased incidences of post-partum depression.
Dr. Vedika Bali from Birla Fertility and IVF Centre reported that many patients have experienced breathlessness and persistent dry coughs. “I have had to prescribe medication, which I usually avoid during pregnancy due to possible side effects,” she admitted.
