Dose of sunshine could be key to healthier pregnancy

We are all desperate for a bit of sunshine, but for mums-to-be, a blast of rays could be a real life-changer. Because women who get more sunlight in their first trimester lessen their chances of having placenta problems linked to premature birth and baby loss, researchers have found.

According to a study from Edinburgh University, women who have the lowest exposure to sunlight are 10% more likely to have an early baby compared to those getting the highest levels.

To investigate this interesting theory researchers analysed data on nearly 400,000 mothers and more than 500,000 babies born after 24 weeks of pregnancy. All single live births in Scotland between 2000 and 2010 were then cross-checked with postcodespecific weather records from the same period.

Fascinatingly, it’s only sun exposure in the first three months of pregnancy that has any impact on premature birth risk, not rays in later months.

The team is already investigating if artificial light can boost pregnancy health to benefit parents in places with limited sunlight. But we still have a lot to learn about the link between sunshine and premature birth.

Prem birth – defined as babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy – is the leading cause of death in children under five years old. And babies who survive prem birth have higher rates of disability, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems, than those born at term.

The team hopes their research can help reduce preterm births and the consequent danger to babies. Researchers from Edinburgh University have previously shown when our skin is exposed to sunshine, a chemical called nitric oxide is released. It relaxes our blood vessels so helping to lower blood pressure – Viagra relaxes blood vessels in the penis the same way.

Experts agree the benefits of reducing blood pressure far outweigh the risks of developing skin cancer from sun exposure. Sunlight also contributes to vitamin D production, aiding the development of an unborn baby’s bones, teeth, kidneys, heart and nervous system.

“The role of sunlight is an exciting new avenue for research into preterm birth prevention,” said Dr Sarah Stock, expert in maternal and foetal health at Edinburgh University’s Usher Institute.

“This study is important because it provides further data reminding us that sunlight has health benefits as well as risks.”

Researchers want to see their findings become part of advice given to families during pregnancy.

Yesterday was World Menopause Day, but because I’m going through the menopause – I clean forgot.

Many of my friends are already on HRT, and I’ve been taking it for three years now, so the palpitations, hot flushes and general feeling of doom are a thing of the past.

Although they haven’t yet invented a medication that will cure the spiralling anger I feel when The Dark Lord accuses me of being hormonal – which I am – when she’s slamming doors because she’s hormonal too. It’s like a deadly war zone where even medics get shot down for offering paracetamol and a hug.

I still get brain fog though and often find myself desperately searching for words. Thank goodness for Google, or this page would be half the size, missing all the geography and filled with long pauses while I try to remember what I’ve come in this metaphorical room for.

I have three friends who held out longer than everyone else and refused to accept they were perimenopausal. Although I did point out that they needed to check their dark murderous rage wasn’t just a symptom of their husbands snoring at night.

My 48-year-old friend Jenny was suffering anxiety and insomnia, and 55-year-old Rebecca, who had more symptoms than I even knew were possible, only threw the towel in after five years of waving a fan around, when the constant headaches drove her to the doctor.

And then there is my lovely friend Lisa, 49, whose crushing depression almost wrecked her marriage.

I’d been nagging them for years to get thee to a GP and ask for HRT. And I am pleased to report that all three have since been (grudgingly) put on various doses of patches and gels by their doctors – and hurrah – they all feel back to their old selves again.

HRT is not for every woman, but for those who need it, it’s a…er… thing. What’s the word?

Oh yes. Lifesaver.

■ Email me at siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk or write to Community Corner, PO Box 791, Winchester SO23 3RP.

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