The Effect of Quintessential N95 Masks on Pregnant Women

We have seen a steady rise of N95 mask manufacturers in foreign soils in recent years and the protective gear has proven efficient in all levels whether in pollution control or a shield against lethal COVID variants. However, there is neither evidence nor articles related to the use of N95 masks for pregnant women. So, we took special attention to this topic and gathered some related information that will be useful for the expecting mothers to decide while buying N95 masks online or not.

Methods:

The Investigational Medicine Unit at National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore conducted this controlled clinical research in two phases. The National Healthcare Group Domain Specific Review Board authorised the study methods in July 2010. It was also ensured that all participants signed a formal informed consent form. The facility, on the other hand, made certain that a list of pregnant women with special concerns, such as: 

1. Healthy singleton pregnancies with a gestational age of 27 to 32 weeks were recruited voluntarily from hospital workers and clinic patients.
2. All subjects were instructed to eat at least 2 hours before the start of the trial and before participating in the trial, each patient was given a screening questionnaire and had baseline medical and obstetric examinations.
3. In phases, I and II, eight pregnant health care providers and 20 pregnant women were recruited to participate in the study. To ensure that the tests were completed in normal lifestyle conditions, subjects were instructed to get enough rest and avoid strenuous exercise before the study.

Inclusion & Exclusion criterions

1. Subjects ranged in age from 21 to 40 years old, had spontaneous singleton pregnancies, and had no previous history of cardiorespiratory illness, influenza-like illness in the week leading up to the study, or other pregnancy-related problems like gestational diabetes, hypertension, intrauterine growth restriction, placenta praevia, ruptured membranes or threatened preterm labour, or any neuromuscular conditions.
2. They selected people with no thalassemia or haemoglobinopathies, ensuring that oxygen transport is unaffected anywhere on the planet.

Results

1. Breathing via N95-mask materials during the pre-exercise rest phase reduced heart rate.
2. FeO2 reduction with N95 masks continued during the post-exercise rest period.
3. When compared to no mask use, forced expired CO2 concentration (FeCO2) was considerably higher with N95-mask use in the pre-exercise, exercise, and post-exercise periods. While wearing of the N95-mask during exercise on the treadmill resulted in lowering VO2 by 13.8 %
4. With exercising, the total maternal heart rate increased from 89.8 to 107.9 beats per minute.

Despite the fact that N95 masks are harmful to expecting mothers, the CDC recommends that they be worn at all times. And the best thing was that these outcomes weren't universal. So it's entirely up to you. If you are comfortable wearing them, start buying N95 masks online.

Masks for Moms

It is not a safe location to walk through busy streets during these COVID hours. If you must, however, use social distancing techniques and wearing fabric masks or surgical masks, which leave a healthy gap and do not suffocate you further, and encourage expectant moms to attend hospitals for prenatal visits as well as to arrive at hospitals for deliveries.