The link between black mold and pregnancy
Humans and mold have lived together since the beginning, but mold has recently become a huge health concern. So many cases of toxic mold poisoning have come to light recently that people can’t help but worry.
Because this concern is so new, we have just begun to study the effects of black mold and pregnancy. There isn’t much real evidence, but doctors are very concerned about how exposure to black mold during pregnancy can affect babies.
Black mold and birth defects
There are countless stories of women exposed to mold during pregnancy and experiencing miscarriages or birth defects. However, there is still no solid scientific evidence that mold exposure directly causes birth defects. Animal studies have shown that there is a definite link between black mold and pregnancy, but animals are different from humans, so the results are inconclusive.
Still, most doctors assume there is some connection and that pregnant women should be careful about exposure.
Asthma and Pregnancy
Modern scientific studies say that the causes of lifelong chronic allergies are both genetic and environmental.
Much evidence indicates that the development of allergies and asthma actually begins in the womb. This is especially the case with asthma. Researchers are discovering that asthma may not be genetic at all. It is caused by triggers in the environment. Studies show that people with asthma develop the condition at some point in their lives due to exposure to toxins, such as mold. It can start in the womb.
SIDS and mold
Some studies have suggested that there may be a link between SIDS and exposure to black mold in the womb. There are also a variety of chronic fatigue diseases that children who have been exposed to mold can suffer from. Still, studies have not been done to show whether or not this is entirely the case.
What you can do
If you just found out you’re pregnant, or if you’re just starting to worry about mold, you should get your home or workplace tested for mold. You can get a home test kit at the hardware store. It’s probably a good idea to start your pregnancy in a mold-free environment. No one knows the exact relationship between mold and birth defects, allergies, and asthma, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
For your baby’s health, it’s also important to keep your home free of mold after birth. There are no studies to show that mold has an effect on breastfeeding, but mold is definitely not healthy for your baby’s overall health.
One more thing to think about is your workplace. Many women work in the early to mid stages of their pregnancy, and it’s often more difficult to find mold in a building where you work than it is in your home. Ask your boss about mold inspections, especially if you work in an older building. If you can see or smell mold in your workplace, you are definitely in danger.
If your boss or supervisor doesn’t do anything about the mold problem, you may be able to pursue a legal solution. Laws are in place to protect your health and the health of your unborn baby.