Moms-to-be May Want to Add This Item to Their Homes, Study Says

There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re pregnant. Sometimes, it can even be a bit overwhelming. In not-so-shocking news, researchers say air pollution may have a negative impact on baby’s growth in the womb.

If you live in a crowded, congested area, or a town that doesn’t have the best air quality, don’t freak out. There’s a simple way to help your baby’s growth stay on track. One report says air purifiers may have a positive impact on fetal growth.

The study looked at the effects of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which is fancy jargon for air purifiers, during pregnancy. The researchers recruited more than 500 pregnant women in Ulan Bator, one of the world’s most polluted cities, and gave half of them air purifiers.

The results showed air purifiers decreased particle pollution in women’s homes by 29 percent. Additionally, the females with air purifiers ended up giving birth to babies that weighed more on par with the average weight than women who did not use air purifiers during pregnancy.

“HEPA cleaners target both outdoor pollution that infiltrates indoors and indoor-generated pollution from cigarettes, cooking and other sources,” the study explains. “The impact of portable air cleaners on fetal growth has not been previously studied, but their short-term use (days to weeks) may induce biological changes relevant to fetal growth, including improvements in inflammation and blood pressure.”

So, now may be a good time to add an air purifier to your home décor. And, be sure to stock up on a few other items to help create a safe haven in your baby’s nursery.