Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by cognitive deficits and impaired social and communication development.
The term “spectrum” refers to a wide range of autism spectrum disorder symptoms and includes challenges in social skills, communication and repetitive behaviors.
So, while some children with autism spectrum disorder may experience learning difficulties, there are children with autism spectrum disorder who may show signs of lower than normal intelligence.
Given the varied symptoms of autism, both environmental and genetic factors play different roles in how the final manifestation of the disorder develops. Amid environmental factors, experts have shown a link between autism and pregnancy.
How is autism related to pregnancy and what are the steps to reduce it?
Parental exposure to adverse environmental factors, over-the-counter medications, obesity, gestational diabetes, and inadequate pregnancy diet can increase the chances of autism in babies.
There may be no guaranteed way to prevent autism during pregnancy, but then there is nothing to fear either. There is growing recognition of the importance of autism prevention strategies during pregnancy.
So, to reduce the risk of autism during pregnancy, expectant parents should be a little proactive and include some strategies as a method of autism prevention as mentioned below:
Regular check-ups during pregnancy
Visiting the doctor is the norm during pregnancy. Through various scans and blood tests, the pregnancy and the development of the health of the fetus can be determined. Between 12 and 20 weeks of pregnancy screening – chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis is done to check the amniotic fluid, placenta and fetus. In addition, chromosomal microarray (CMA) is a prenatal genetic test that looks for missing parts that may cause ASD.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy
It is important to plan a healthy diet, stay fit, stay hydrated and get enough rest during pregnancy to reduce the symptoms of autism.
Proper diet
Within the healthy, balanced and nutritious pregnancy diet that includes folic acid is highly essential. Folate or folic acid during the early stages of pregnancy may help prevent birth defects related to the brain and spine in the future baby. A recommended amount of 600 and 800 mcg of folic acid is essential in your pregnancy diet! Along with folic acid, iron intake is also helpful.
Staying active
The body weight of a pregnant mother should not be more than BMI ≥30 kg/m2. If the weight is more than the above given range, it is overweight. Studies have linked maternal obesity as well as high chances of autism during pregnancy. Obesity has been linked to chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which can potentially affect fetal brain development and increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. Engaging in low-impact exercise such as swimming, brisk walking or prenatal yoga can keep pregnancy weight under control. It is also necessary to consult the health professional and include some other exercises in the pregnancy regime.
Staying hydrated
It is essential to stay hydrated, as dehydration in pregnancy can lead to serious complications such as reduced amniotic fluid volume, insufficient breast milk production, and premature birth. As a result, the chances of genetic abnormalities such as autism cannot be completely ruled out.
Reduction of Maternal Stress
Stress during pregnancy can affect the future baby in several ways. Stress hormones are also known as cortisol hormones. They pass from the placenta to the developing baby in the womb. It affects the cognitive, behavioral and emotional problems of the baby which can eventually lead to autism. To keep herself stress-free, she can try these natural remedies:
- An expectant mother should stay active and do prenatal yoga and meditation to reduce her stress.
- A pregnant woman can join support groups and share each other’s emotional struggles.
- He may also attend counseling sessions.
Vaccination for maternal infections
A pregnant mother’s immune response is specifically linked to autism vulnerability in the unborn baby. Proper immunization or vaccination during pregnancy can reduce the risks of Autism. Otherwise, several studies have proven the link between maternal infection and the chances of autism in the future baby.
- Studies have shown that, before the 1970s, certain diseases and infections during pregnancy, such as rubella, measles, and mumps, were strongly associated with the risk of giving birth to a baby with ASD in her womb.
- A few more studies conducted in California and Denmark have found a link between autism and maternal infections such as toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, and herpes during pregnancy.
Reduced exposure to pollution
There is a strong link between a pregnant woman’s exposure to air pollution and the risk of autism. Exposure to harmful chemicals such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone cannot be denied.
- A study was conducted among 294,937 mother-child pairs at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Southern California who each gave birth to singleton babies. These children were clinically screened for ASD, as the risks were high when a pregnant mother was exposed to pollutants. So, a pregnant woman should be extra careful in all stages of pregnancy.
- Along with this, the baby inside the womb may not be positively affected even if during the pregnancy, the pregnant woman passively smokes or has the smell of alcohol.
It is always best to stay away from contaminated areas, traffic and smoke.
But the best time and the best way to prevent autism during pregnancy is when couples are planning their baby. Bringing some order to their daily lifestyle, perhaps by eating right, not drinking alcohol, not smoking and not getting stressed can be helpful. Treating pre-existing health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can also work wonders. Reproductive age is also of great importance. While a woman’s fertility does indeed begin to decline after her late 20s and early 30s, when it becomes difficult for her to conceive, male fertility can also be affected by age – perhaps after 40. So it’s always better to start family planning before 30 and reduce the risk of age-related autism.
