How Damp Can Affect Your Pregnancy

The human body is an amazing thing. Not only does it keep us alive, but it can create new life too and to some, the thought of bringing miniature humans into this world and raising them into not-so-miniature humans is a magical one. But with life comes the potential for illness and injury, and while we all do our utmost to avoid such things, it can be a tiring battle. After all, even our homes can prove to be damaging if we find damp growing! But what is damp, and how can it affect our health? Is your pregnancy at risk if your home has a little mold? While you’re giving a call to an expert like Kenwood damp proofing specialists, we’ve decided to pull together a few of the answers to those much-asked questions to ease your mind in the meantime.

What Is Damp?

Damp and mold are a type of fungi that can grow both indoors and outdoors, but in this case, we’re focusing on the kind that can grow inside your home. Warm, damp and humid environments are ideal for growing damp, though the spores can live and spread pretty much everywhere. To make matters worse, damp and the mold that comes with it can appear in a whole range of colors and types, and with the musty, earthy smell that accompanies it, it isn’t pleasant to have in your home. But how is it harmful?

How Can It Affect My Health?

While damp and mold aren’t immediately harmful on their own, the toxins that can be released by growing mold definitely are. Take Black Spot mold for example – this kind is usually caused by excess condensation, and is even known as ‘toxic black mold’ due to the fact that the spores it releases are risky for those with existing health conditions, and even those who are in perfectly good health! So for those of you who might find yourself pregnant or are trying for a baby, the thought of damp and mold in your home can be a terrifying one. But don’t fret – there is no proven correlation between damp and birth defects. The care you should take around mold while pregnant is the same care you should take anyway!

So what effects can mold actually have on the human body? Well, respiratory problems are the main problem, but the likes of rashes, chronic fatigue, persistent headaches and irritation to the eyes are all possible issues you could face too. Once your baby is born, the child will be susceptible to the same problems, so it’s important to solve the problem before the birth. The question is, how?

What Can I Do To Solve The Problem?

Solving your damp problem in your home often starts long before the damp starts to grow. If you’re concerned about cold, wet or maybe even humid weather wreaking havoc on your home, it’s time to consider damp proofing! A professional can damp-proof your home for a fee, and from there it’s up to you to keep moisture levels as low as possible. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen, air conditioners during the humid months, and avoid putting carpets in bathrooms or basements so they don’t hold the damp!

If your home has already been hit with mold, cleaning it away before it can cause damage is vital. When pregnant, it’s advisable to have someone else clean the mold, but if you have no choice but to do it yourself, then make sure you wear the appropriate protective clothing. Special masks that keep out mold spores are available to buy, and non-porous gloves and goggles without air vents are all advisable to wear too. Make sure that when cleaning the mold with mold-cleaning products or bleach that you keep the room as ventilated as possible, and aim to keep any furniture, carpets, wallpaper and more if they’ve been wet for more than 48 hours and cannot be dried or cleaned thoroughly.

While you may be relieved to know that mold hasn’t been proven to affect pregnancies, it’s still important to keep yourself safe from the effects mold can have. A healthy mother means a healthy baby, after all! So whether you hire out a professional to damp-proof your home, or do a bit of (well-protected!) spring cleaning, ensuring your home is ready for your pregnancy and your newborn is a step you need to take!