Polluted Water Bodies in India & Their Hidden Impact on Mothers — Even in RO Homes

A Gynecologist’s Perspective by Dr. Chetna Jain

Most urban families believe that installing an RO water purifier solves all water-related health risks. While RO systems do remove many contaminants, they don’t fully shield expecting and new mothers from the broader effects of India’s polluted water ecosystem.

As a gynecologist, I increasingly see women—especially pregnant and breastfeeding mothers—presenting with nutritional deficiencies, recurrent infections, fatigue, and hormonal imbalance. Surprisingly, many of these cases trace back, directly or indirectly, to poor water quality.

Let’s understand how.

The Reality: India’s Water Pollution Is a Maternal Health Issue

Industrial discharge, sewage contamination, agricultural runoff, and heavy metals have severely polluted many of India’s rivers, lakes, and groundwater sources. This polluted water eventually enters municipal supply lines—the same supply that feeds home RO systems.

RO purifiers filter impurities, yes.

But they also strip essential minerals like calcium and magnesium—nutrients that are critical during pregnancy and lactation.

So while the water looks clean, its nutritional value is often compromised.

Why This Matters More for Mothers

Pregnant and breastfeeding women already have higher nutritional demands. When mineral-depleted RO water becomes the primary drinking source, it can quietly contribute to:

▪ Calcium & Magnesium Deficiency

Leading to muscle cramps, bone weakness, fatigue, and increased pregnancy discomfort.

▪ Low Electrolyte Balance

Causing dizziness, weakness, and poor hydration absorption.

▪ Increased Risk of Anemia

Especially when combined with iron-poor diets.

▪ Weakened Immunity

Making mothers more prone to urinary tract infections and vaginal infections.

▪ Poor Fetal Development Support

Minerals play a role in bone formation and nervous system development of the baby.

Many mothers assume supplements alone are enough—but water is part of daily nutrition.

It’s Not Just Drinking Water

Polluted water affects mothers in multiple ways:

• Bathing water can cause skin irritation and recurrent infections

• Vegetables washed in contaminated water may retain toxins

• Cooking with mineral-stripped water alters food nutrition

• Poor water quality impacts gut health and digestion

Over time, this cumulative exposure shows up as chronic tiredness, hormonal imbalance, and low recovery after delivery.

A Common Misconception About RO Water

RO is often marketed as “purest water.”

Medically speaking, it is filtered—but incomplete.

Unless your RO system has a mineral cartridge or TDS controller, you may be consuming water that is too purified—especially harmful during pregnancy.

Practical Steps Mothers Can Take

You don’t need to panic—but you do need to be informed.

Here’s what I advise my patients:

✔ Use RO systems with mineral add-back filters

✔ Monitor TDS levels regularly

✔ Ensure adequate calcium, magnesium, and iron intake

✔ Stay well hydrated—but with balanced water

✔ Avoid bathing newborns in untreated borewell water

✔ Wash produce thoroughly with clean filtered water

✔ Discuss mineral supplementation with your gynecologist

Small changes make a meaningful difference.

A Message to Expecting & New Mothers

We cannot fix India’s polluted rivers overnight.

But we can protect ourselves with awareness.

If you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue, frequent infections, leg cramps, or low energy during pregnancy—don’t ignore it.  Sometimes, the cause isn’t just hormones. It’s environmental.

Your body is working hard to nurture new life.

It deserves complete nutrition—not just “clean-looking” water.

Dr. Chetna Jain’s Clinical Perspective

Maternal care today must go beyond ultrasounds and blood tests. Environmental factors—especially water quality—are silently influencing women’s health.

As doctors, our responsibility is to look deeper. As mothers, your responsibility is to stay informed.

Healthy motherhood begins with healthy foundations.

✨ Final Thought

RO water may look pure.

But purity without minerals is incomplete.

In a country facing severe water pollution, maternal health needs conscious choices—not assumptions.

Because every mother deserves strength.

And every baby deserves a healthy beginning.