Precautions for Pregnant women for Holi

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

Holi is the time when people forget their ill wills and come together to mark the celebration. As the

long weekend started so it is very important for pregnant women to take care of few things while playing holi.

Earlier colors was made up of herbs and flowers but as time passes chemicals, dyes have replaced this tradition and now a day’s people play holi with chemically treated colors. Some colors are even carcinogenic. So, it is very important for a pregnant or lactating mother to simply stay away from colors.

Not only colors; bhang is also the one such tradition associated with holi. In Delhi especially, rang and bhang are the two things which completes the festival. But bhang’s overdose can lead to serious health complications. Bhang is an intoxicant which makes you feel drowsy and sleepy. Consumption of bhang can result in high blood pressure, increased heart rate; it can also affect foetus, nervous system and brain.

It is very important for a pregnant woman not to play holi at all; stay indoors or even if you want to step out then go with your trusted elders around. So, lactating mothers should practice same caution as pregnant women. Use of these colors by pregnant women may result in pre mature birth, low weight birth and miscarriage or abortion. It can also affect the nervous and reproductive system, Pregnant women have reduced immunity levels and are, therefore, more prone to illnesses and infections, and their skin is more sensitive as well. Therefore, reaction to colors that one may have is very dangerous. Chemical colors have harmful health effects on the baby through breast milk. So, lactating mothers should practice same caution as pregnant women.

You can have homemade colors which can be made by using turmeric, roli (sindoor), boiled beetroot and onions. Tradition, if it must be followed, can be respected by placing a sandalwood or saffron tikaa on the baby's forehead.

Also do apply a thick petroleum jelly moisturizer on the skin and oil on the hair before started playing holi. Washing oneself properly is especially important for lactating mothers who otherwise risk their baby ingesting colors.

So, take precautions and enjoy the festival of colors. Happy Holi to all from the Team Mother’s Lap IVF.