While all mold should be removed from your home upon sight, homeowners should move with quickness upon the discovery of black mold. Black mold, technically referred to as Stachybotrys Chartarum, is a toxic fungi, which is known to produce mycotoxins that are harmful to humans. While the effects on humans will vary depending on the length of exposure and the volume of spores an individual has inhaled, these symptoms can become more severe and life threatening in pregnant women and children.
Black mold pregnancy effects can take place in both animals and humans. While toxic black mold and pregnancy is said to be the cause of both birth defects and potentially miscarriages, this fact can only be proven scientifically in animals. Evidence leans towards the fact that black mold exposure during pregnancy can be detrimental to the health of both the fetus and the mother-to-be.
While experts and physicians alike agree that black mold exposure during pregnancy can be harmful to babies, there is no real hard evidence to support this fact. Evidence or not, any health expert will recommend that women expecting a child relocate in the event their home or office is infested with black mold for their child’s safety.
Many studies have been performed within previous years that show a large percentage of women carrying children who have suffered a miscarriage or given birth to a child with birth defects have been regularly exposed to black mold. While the hard evidence does not exist in humans, it does exist in studies with animals. While the results of current studies are inconclusive, black mold is still regarded as a dangerous toxin to avoid during pregnancy.
Scientific studies show that allergies and asthma is caused by both the environment and development within the womb. While scientists cannot directly pin point mold as the cause of allergies, it is said that exposure to these dangerous toxins can be one of the underlying causes of asthma within the uterus. Because asthma is a breathing condition and black mold is known to attack the respiratory system, this is a lifelong condition that children exposed to black mold in the womb may suffer from.
Yet another one of the black mold pregnancy effects suggests that there may be a very strong link between SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and Stachybotrys Chartarum. Because SIDS has to do with children who stop breathing, it is a common belief in the medical field that the child was exposed to black mold in the womb and was perhaps still exposed to it at the time of its death.
Every expectant mother wants to take every precaution necessary to have a happy and healthy baby. If you believe your home may be infested with black mold, have it tested by a professional and take all of the necessary steps to remove it from your home. Toxic black mold and pregnancy can be a deadly combination, be sure to be proactive in keeping your family healthy.