When pregnant women are exposed to cold environments, blood vessels contract. This can cause huge consequences for the baby, including increased risk of blood pressure during pregnancy and preeclampsia.
According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, the North is entering the peak of the cold season this year. On December 13, the North received increased cold air, the temperature continued to decrease, maintaining cold and harmful weather. Common temperature is 11-20 degrees.
During this period, the average temperature forecast across the country is generally 0.5-1 degree lower than the average for many years.
Most recently, from December 16 to 17, a strong cold wave is likely to affect the weather in the northern provinces of our country, causing the temperature to drop sharply, causing severe cold (average daily temperature from 13 to 17 December). 15 degrees), widespread harmful cold (average daily temperature below 13 degrees). In high mountain areas, the lowest temperature can drop below 3 degrees.
Due to sudden temperature changes, cold air affects the health of many people, including pregnant women.
According to MSc. Phan Chi Thanh – Chief of Office of the Training and Directing Center, Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, when pregnant women are exposed to a cold environment, it causes blood vessels to contract. This can cause huge consequences for the baby, including increased risk of blood pressure during pregnancy and preeclampsia.
“When the mother has high blood pressure, the symptoms cause damage to the liver, kidneys and especially make the baby even more anemic and malnourished, leading to more serious malnutrition in the fetus. This makes the development extremely severe. and complicated, can end in eclampsia, convulsions, and coma, threatening the lives of both mother and child”, MSc. Thanh analyzed.
Also according to MSc. Therefore, increased blood pressure in the mother will easily cause the mother to experience placental abruption – this is an emergency in obstetrics, requiring immediate emergency surgery.
“In addition to damaging the baby, abruptio placentae can also cause blood clotting disorders, threatening the mother’s life. Many mothers have to have a hysterectomy, causing irreversible uterine damage because of abruptio placenta”, MSc. Thanh said.
Dr. Thanh also added that the change of seasons causes many pregnant women to have symptoms of flu, fever, and colds. This is also very dangerous during pregnancy if not treated promptly and completely.
What should pregnant women do on cold days?
To protect the health of both mother and child during cold weather days, the Chief of Office of the Line Training and Direction Center, Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital recommends that pregnant women need to wear airtight clothing. , keep the body warm, especially when going out;
When washing hands, feet, personal hygiene, or bathing, you must use warm water, do not bathe in water that is too hot or cold;
Pregnant mothers also need to keep the habit of eating warm foods, avoiding cold foods, and eating lots of vegetables, fruits, and fruits. You should not eat raw seafood, uncooked meat and fish, unpasteurized milk, etc. because they also contain a lot of bacteria, which can easily harm the fetus;
Drinking enough water every day is essential to have fresh and rosy skin. More importantly, provide enough water for blood circulation to nourish the developing fetus.
In addition, pregnant mothers should exercise and exercise gently. Increase rest and relaxation activities such as massage, listening to music, reading books, watching comedy movies, etc. to always keep your spirit relaxed.
Ernie Paucek