NIOSH research to monitor the effects of N95 respirator on pregnant women:In the US women comprise of approximately half of the workforce. At a given time 10% of women of child-bearing age are likely to be pregnant. Amid the outbreak of COVID-19 there are many women in the workforce who are performing duty day and night. There are nurses, doctors and other female health care staff who risk their lives by performing duty. It was important to conduct the research in the current scenario as the usage of mask has increased exponentially. Moreover, there was little data available to ascertain the safety of mask on pregnant women. Hence, NIOSH conducted research to investigate the safety of N95 face mask on pregnant women. Feedback of pregnant women on the usage of N95 respirator: Some people have complained about difficulty in breathing while wearing respirator mask. Especially many pregnant women have reported complains about feeling short of breath while donning on the mask. This uneasiness increases as the pregnancy progresses. Hence concern among people arose with regard to the impact of N95 respirator in the well being of the pregnant women and the fetus. Findings of research: NIOSH conducted a research in which 22 healthy, non-smoking pregnant women who were in their later pregnancy stages and 22 healthy, non-pregnant and non-smoking women of similar age and physique participated. All the women were given same type of respirator mask. They were tested for an hour while donning on the mask and without the mask. They went through a range of activities during the study including sitting, pedaling an exercise bicycle and just standing. Their observations were recorded. These observations included heart rate and functionality, breathing rate, temperature, blood pressure, percentage of oxygen and carbon dioxide in their arteries and most importantly any signs of exertion resulting from the use of respirator. It was discovered that there were no significant differences in the observation of pregnant versus non-pregnant women. Apart from that, there were no differences in fetal heart rate with or without the respirator. The study helped NIOSH to ascertain that the difficulty in breathing could be due to feelings of anxiety resulting from the discomfort of wearing the mask. The change in breathing style from usual nose breathing to mouth breathing could be a factor causing the discomfort. Also, other underlying medical conditions such as asthma or chronic bronchitis could also contribute to the breathing difficulties experienced by the individuals. However, caution must be observed with regard to the research’s findings as the tests were conducted for only one hour with and without the mask. In most cases, pregnant female health care staff has to don the mask for longer duty hours. Therefore, NIOSH recommends more and deeper studies should take place in order to better understand the impact of N95 respirator on pregnant women. Importance of respirators for health care workers:Hence it is safe to conclude that N95 respirators are not known to have adverse effects on pregnant women. It is hence safe to say that they must buy respirator mask when they are performing their duty at hospitals and other health care facilities. However, they must check with a concerned health professional to ascertain if there are any contraindications with regard to wearing the mask. This will help ensure their own as well as the fetus’s safety to the maximum.
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