Top Five Fascinating Facts Every Expecting Parent Should Know About Perinatal Health

The Impact of Environmental Factors

Lastly, environmental considerations are often overlooked yet equally crucial for perinatal health. Exposure to harmful environmental agents, like cigarette smoke or air pollution, can lead to severe complications, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental problems.

Expecting parents should, therefore, strive to create a safe and healthy environment. This could involve quitting smoking, avoiding secondhand smoke, testing home for lead, and minimizing exposure to harmful chemicals.

The World Health Organization also advises maintaining a healthy indoor air quality and limiting the use of certain cleaning products, pesticides, or other potentially toxic substances. Efforts focused on environmental health can significantly contribute to both mother and child's wellbeing in the perinatal period and beyond.