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Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. Your pregnancy should not get in the way of your participation during this festival. However, you should make sure you take a few additional precautions to ensure both you and your baby are safe during the celebrations.
It is very important for you to attend all your antenatal appointments even if it does mean that you need to push back other priorities during the festive time. Your doctor will be able to provide you with the appropriate safety measures that you must take while celebrating this festival.
Depending on the stage of your pregnancy, or if you are carrying multiple babies or seem to have complications with your pregnancy, your doctor will advise you to take additional precautions (1). You must be sure to inform your doctor about any existing health conditions that you may be suffering from, such as asthma, heart disease or other respiratory conditions.
Keep an eye out for pollution
During pregnancy, a mother’s blood oxygen levels are reduced since she needs to provide a part of the oxygen dissolved in her blood to her child. This means that you must keep away from places having air pollution. It is beneficial for you to stay in a well-ventilated place at all times. During Diwali, the levels of air pollution rise significantly.
You must seek help if
- You feel like you are having difficulty in breathing.
- You sense that you are getting an unexpected headache.
- You start to feel uncomfortable or dizzy at any point.
- You feel nauseous from all the smoke emitted by fireworks.
Watch out for allergic reactions
During Diwali, almost every house is decorated in colorful lights and flowers. Certain flowers may trigger conditions such as asthma or hay fever (2). If you suffer from asthma, keep your inhaler with you at all times. In order to minimize the chances of an allergic reaction to any flowers, them into your home as late as possible. Spraying flowers with water will help get rid of any dust or pollen residues that may trigger any allergic reactions.
Make sure you are protected from burns and other injuries
One of the highlights of Diwali is to burst firecrackers. You must ensure that you keep a distance from firecrackers that explode with a big blast. Also, make sure that you wear some ear protection to protect your ears from tinnitus (ringing in the ears). If you feel that your ears are ringing even after taking the necessary precautions, let your doctor know.
Choose decorations that are safe
Diyas are a great way to decorate your homes since they truly represent what Diwali is all about: the festival of lights. When buying diyas or candles to decorate your homes, make sure you choose those that have a strong base to prevent them from falling over and sparking a fire. Also, keep candles and diyas away from any flammable items, curtains and carpets. Pregnant mothers must keep their distance from diyas and candles since clothes might be closer to the fire than they appear due to the size of the baby bump.
Lastly, make sure you always keep a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit handy during the celebrations.
Pregnant women have every right to take part in the celebrations during Diwali. By simply taking a few extra precautions, you can ensure that you are safe during this auspicious event. We hope that you and your child enjoy an exciting and safe Diwali this year. Best of luck Mommy!
