[Medical Q&A] What physical factors may affect pregnancy?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Shang Xuejun, Chief Physician, General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command of PLA

Physical factors are everywhere in our living environment, but when they exceed a certain limit, they can have an adverse effect on pregnancy. At this time, appropriate protective measures should be taken, or stay away from these physical factors.

(1) Noise: Strong noise can increase the fetal heart rate and fetal movement. High-frequency noise can interfere with the body's hormone levels, causing fetal malformations, intrauterine growth retardation, and increased embryonic mortality.

(2) Vibration: Whole-body vibration may affect the blood supply to the female pelvic organs, resulting in insufficient nutrient supply to the uterus and blood supply to the placenta, thereby affecting fetal development and leading to fetal growth restriction and miscarriage.

(3) High temperature: Some high temperature environments, such as boiler rooms, sauna rooms, kitchens, etc., may damage male fertility.

(4) Ionizing radiation: Ionizing radiation is the most common and most serious physical teratogen. Excessive exposure to ionizing radiation before fertilization or in early pregnancy can cause sperm, eggs, fertilized eggs and embryos to develop abnormally, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, multiple fetal malformations, slow or stopped brain development, and even leukemia and malignant tumors.