Getting pregnant is a magical and important part of a woman’s life. There’s nothing as exciting knowing that you’ve got a little person growing inside of you. However, it is challenging to stay healthy during pregnancy as, due to low immunity, mothers are at a higher risk of getting sick.
Humidity and Its Challenges during Pregnancy
During pregnancy, women produce high levels of estrogen and progesterone that increase blood flow throughout their bodies, leading to swollen mucous membranes in the nose. Also, mucous production is higher during pregnancy as the body erects an extra barrier against germs, leading the expecting mother to experience a stuffy nose and possibly nosebleeds.
Low humidity leads to dry air that can cause a lot of problems. Dry air dries out your nose and throat. The health of the fetus is dependent on the mother’s physical well-being. They may be exposed to many diseases as the body is constantly undergoing proliferation. Since pregnant mothers cannot use a lot of medications, it’s harder to find comfort and relief. Hence it is essential to take precautionary measures to prevent environment-related risks such as being exposed to dry air, affecting your nose and lungs, and cause sicknesses such as cold, flu, itching of the skin, etc.
Pregnant women should avoid low humidity as much as possible because it makes them feel uncomfortable. Depending on your location, humidity levels can drop to as low as 10%, drying your skin and leaving you susceptible to coughs and colds. Investing in a high-quality humidifier is ideal for getting rid of dry air to make life comfortable for pregnant women by ensuring access to high-quality air.
Benefits of Humidifier for Pregnant Women
A humidifier changes water into a fine mist and releases it into the room’s air. The humidity will gradually rise as this happens, and the healthy, comfortable moisture level you need will return.
If you’re set to carry a child during cold and dry winter months or have just given birth, a humidifier can be an excellent device to help you through your pregnancy and help with a wide range of ailments.
Pregnant women and fetuses are known to be vulnerable to harmful environmental exposure. A humidifier allows you to sleep peacefully when you are sick.
A humidifier will help keep your skin soft and supple by raising the humidity levels in your home, maintain them, and provide temporary relief from dry skin. The added moisture in the air can help against common skin ailments during pregnancy, such as dry or itchy skin, peeling or chapped lips, and dry eye irritation. Locking in moisture will help your skin retain elasticity that can be beneficial as your belly expands.
As a parent or expectant mother, a soothing hum from a humidifier will help your baby sleep while in your womb. Humidifiers can render up to 86% of airborne germs powerless by increasing the weight of airborne particles, which is why they are helpful against colds, coughs, and flu cases.
Types of Humidifiers That are Helpful During Pregnancy
Warm mist humidifiers generate steam by converting water using a heating element to flow from the storage tank. The warm mist rises into the air, similar to moisture from a hot bath and shower, and gradually increases the room’s humidity.
Warm mist humidifiers produce safe, mildly warm steam that’s not hot enough to be harmful. Some warm mist models feature a nozzle that you can put over your face and breathe steam directly to help congestion. Warm mist humidifiers are helpful for colds, congestion, and other related symptoms. Some warm mist humidifiers are equipped with essential oil functionality that adds medicated liquids to help you breathe and feel better.
Cool mist humidifiers use a high-frequency device to vaporize water and release a fine mist. These humidifiers are great for year-round use regardless of the weather or climate and are suitable for a large area. Cool mist humidifiers are safe for kids and can be used in their nursery or sleeping place, so you don’t need to purchase another humidifier when your baby arrives. They’re very efficient and very quiet, making them ideal for pregnant mothers who need rest.
Cool Mist humidifiers are available in two options evaporative or ultrasonic. Evaporative humidifiers work on the concept of natural evaporation. They employ an evaporative wick filter that helps in blowing the dry air. Evaporative humidifiers are super quiet and easy to use, but they work slowly and cannot deliver fast results.
An ultrasonic humidifier uses a small metal diaphragm that vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies to create a fine mist immediately absorbed into the air. Since Ultrasonic humidifiers do not use a fan, they are very quiet during operation, making them a great sleep aid.
Before zeroing on a humidifier, it would be best to discuss with your health practitioner if there is any risk with using a humidifier. They know your health history and can help you arrive at the best decision to keep you and your baby safe.
Things We Considered Before Picking a Humidifier For Pregnancy
Automatic Shutdown: This feature enables the humidifier to stop functioning once it runs out of water. Auto shutdown protects your device from damages and helps you sleep without worries.
Noise Level: Pregnant women find it difficult to sleep for a long time and constantly shift during the night to accommodate the fetal position. Hence it is essential to consider a humidifier that will not disturb your sleep during the day or at night.
Water Tank Capacity: The humidifier run time is dependent on the water tank capacity refills. The larger space a humidifier treats, the faster it will go through water. Consider a humidifier with a larger tank capacity if you want to save yourself from the hassle of frequent refills, especially during pregnancy. You should also check whether the tank is easily removable to fill in a kitchen or bathroom and how heavy the device is when carrying it back.
Humidistat: A humidistat monitors the room’s humidity and automatically turns off the appliance once it reaches its desired humidity level and back on when it drops below. It also prevents excess moisture in the air from fogging up windows or creating a musty odor.
Timer: If you don’t want the humidifier to run all the time, many humidifiers come with an adjustable timer that will automatically turn off after the prescribed time. This feature is convenient for pregnant mothers as it ensures that you overuse the humidifier in your absence and save you from unnecessary refills.
Adjustable Output: This option allows you to decide how humid you’d like your space to get. This is especially helpful if you’re worried that the humidifier will add far more humidity.
Demineralization Cartridge: If the house gets hard water, a humidifier with a demineralization cartridge collects the minerals in hard water and prevents them from being released into the air as fine white dust can become a nuisance and a respiratory irritant.
Our Pick – Best Humidifiers For Pregnancy
1. LEVOIT Classic 100 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Air Vaporizer (BPA Free) –
The Levoit Classic 100 cool-mist humidifier can help you relieve congestion, improve sleep, reduce snoring, rejuvenate dry, cracking skin, and relieve sinus and headaches by humidifying air to the optimal level. The machine has an effective range of 107–290 ft² and has a 2.4-liter tank.
The Classic 100 delivers the ideal level of soothing, cool-mist humidified air. The cool mist humidifier uses ultrasonic mist technology, with the moisture output calibrated through the 360-degree rotating nozzle into an incredibly fine, virtually invisible mist that gently humidifies the air in your home.
The Classic 100 provides hassle-free humidifying all day and night with a 24-hour tank. And no worries—it will automatically shut off when it’s time to refill. The machine is made of BPA-free material, suitable for babies and adults.
The Classic 100’s small size and detachable power cord make it easy to move around the house. You can easily remove the silencer and use the cleaning brush to keep your Classic 100 fresh. The machine’s mist level dial makes it easy to find the right mist level and turn on the night light.
The humidifier’s large tank opening makes refilling the Classic 100 quick and easy. Please do not add water directly into the base. Take the water tank off of the base and pour out all the water. Add at least 2 cups/480 ml water into the water tank and place the tank back onto the base. You can turn off the display light completely to get a peaceful sleep.
Pros
- Zero Light Pollution
- BPA Free
- 24-hour run time
- Compact and quiet
Cons
- It’s difficult to get into the nooks and crannies of the tank even using the brush they include
2. AquaOasis™ Cool Mist Humidifier for Bedroom & Large room –
The AquaOasis AO-101 helps you discover a replenishing sleep experience by improving the air quality at home. Do away with congestion all year long and pass this flu season uninterrupted with the wholesome solution for babies, kids, and adults. Designed filter-free the humidifier comes with a hassle-free lifetime replacement.
The AO-101 operates in total silence and does not generate humming, whistling, or crackling sound while efficiently dispensing soothing cool mist. Its whisper-quiet operation lets you study, meditate, read, sleep, care or do any activity with zero noise distractions. You can set the hours of operation on the machine according to your day/night schedule. The humidifier does not need any expensive filters to operate, meaning no costly replacements.
The AquaOasis AO-101 is designed with a super simple control dial and a 360° rotating nozzle that allows you to fully control and customize the mist output and mist flow direction. The machine features an automatic shut-off. The ultrasonic humidifier features a 2.2L super large water tank perfect for overnight use on a single fill. Additionally, if you aren’t happy with your purchase, the company will refund your money.
Pros
- Extra Large Water Tank
- Adjust Mist Output
- Ultra-Quiet Operation
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- The opening of this humidifier is tiny which makes it difficult to clean and wipe as you barely can get a pinky finger in the hole.
3. Vicks Vaporizer and Warm Mist Humidifier –
The Vicks warm mist humidifier provides soothing, warm moisture and a calming environment. The warm mist humidifier is ideal for medium to large rooms and is quick, easy to use when allergies kick in during cold and flu season, or the air is dry.
The Vicks warm mist humidifier features a filter-free, full 1-gallon tank that allows you to enjoy warm mist for up to 24 hours on the lowest setting. A filter-free design means you don’t need to replace filters, and the wide tank opening allows for easy filling and cleaning.
You can easily adjust output on the Vicks warm mist humidifier to create a personalized level of comfort. Use VapoSteam to create medicated steam that helps relieve coughs from colds (sold separately). The machine features an auto shut-off option. It’s quiet, and the ample night light makes it an excellent choice for your bedroom or as a baby humidifier for a nursery or kids’ room.
Pros
- Automatic Shut-off
- Operates up to 12 hours on a single filling
- Quiet operation
- Soft glowing nightlight
- Medicine cup allows the use of Vicks VapoSteam or Kaz Inhalant to produce a medicated vapor.
Cons
- Slightly Noisy
Also check out our list of the best vicks humidifiers.
4. Elechomes SH8830 Top Fill Warm and Cool Mist Humidifiers for Bedroom with Remote Control –
The Elechomes SH8830 is a modern-looking, intelligent humidifier. The ultrasonic humidifier adopts a high-frequency atomization system that atomizes water into 1/6 micron particles, intense penetration soothes dry skin, chapped lips, and even nose bleeds.
The Elechomes SH8830’s extra-large 6.5-liter capacity delivers up to 72 hours of run time, get rid of frequent water refilling. 360-degree swivel nozzle allows for even mist distribution for rooms up to 861 square feet. Built-in accurate humidistat and intelligent constant humidity system regulate its humidity from 55%-68%.
The Elechomes SH8830 uses the latest double-sealing system to prevent leaking, waterless, and tank lift auto shut-off design for safe use. The ultrasonic humidifier has a 430-861ft² extra-large application area, 700ml/h max mist output on a warm-mist mode that sprays mist at up to six levels. Sleep mode works with minimal noise (20db) enabling a relaxing night’s sleep.
The Elechomes SH8830 is easy to fill and clean. The top fill ultrasonic warm and cool mist humidifier automatically adjusts the humidity and will pause humidification when it reaches the comfortable range. The built-in essential oil tray ensures you every breath is fresh throughout the day. The machine features a remote control with a 5m range that enables you to adjust the humidity setting or turn it on/off without leaving your bed at night.
Pros
- Up to 72 Hours of Run-time
- Remote Control
- 360° Rotation Spray Nozzles
- Convenient Top-Fill Design
Cons
- Slightly Noisier
5. Pure Guardian H4810AR Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier –
The Pure guardian H4810AR guards your home against dry air and is ideal for those with colds, allergies, and dry skin. The ultrasonic cool mist humidifier features an easy-to-fill large 2-gallon tank, can efficiently cover up to 600 square feet rooms, and runs up to 120 hours.
The Pure guardian H4810AR uses a silver clean, protected tank that fights the growth of slimy mold and mildew on the water tank surface. Ultrasonic technology disperses a fine mist into the air and is ultra-quiet, making it ideal to have on while you sleep. The machine comes with a directional nozzle that spreads moisture in two directions throughout the room.
The Pure guardian H4810AR comes with an aromatherapy tray option that helps create a relaxing environment with your favorite essential oil to create a better home environment and optimize your comfort with an ultra-quiet, soothing, cool mist. The humidifier is equipped with the option for warm or cool mist and three-speed settings. It comes with a low water indicator light that lets you know when it’s time for the refill. It also features a soft glow night light and a timer.
Pros
- Cool and Warm Mist Option
- Aromatherapy Tray
- 120 Hours Run-time
- Silver clean protected tank
Cons
- Putting the full tank with 18 lbs. of water back onto the unit is a pain due to only one handle on top.