Prenatal Infections in Pregnancy

Women are vulnerable to certain infections during pregnancy. If the infections are left untreated, they may become severe and develop further complications. They might affect you and your baby adversely. However, these can be prevented by taking a few preventive measures and making certain healthy choices.

What are Prenatal Infections?

Prenatal infections, also known as maternal infections, are caused during pregnancy or childbirth. These are primarily viral or bacterial infections that can be transmitted to the baby from the mother during pregnancy, labour, or shortly after birth. Such conditions increase the risk of preterm birth or health complications in the baby.

Types of prenatal infections

Prenatal infections are divided into two categories:

  • First category: It consists of infections that are acquired during pregnancy. TORCH-O stands for toxoplasmosis, syphilis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex, and other infections like chicken pox and zika virus, etc. These infections have a high possibility of passing onto your baby through the placenta.
  • Second category: These infections can be passed onto the baby through the birth canal. These include group B streptococcus, Hepatitis B virus, and HIV.

Implications of prenatal infection on pregnancy

Prenatal infections can cause various complications, including preterm birth, delayed development of the foetus, physical malformations, and sometimes pregnancy loss.

Infections that occur early in the pregnancy result in worse outcomes. TORCH-O infections are responsible for 2 to 3% of all congenital disorders. If diseases like HIV and Hepatitis B get transmitted to the baby, they might persist for a lifetime.

Treatment

Pregnancy needs to be monitored with the help of a maternal foetal medicine specialist. Early and prompt treatment can reduce the risk of complications. Most mothers can be treated with medication, however, sometimes the infection cannot be treated, and proper rest and hydration are recommended.

Depending on the condition, the baby may require immediate medical attention or care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The newborns should also be immunized to prevent transmission of diseases like Hepatitis B.

Tips to prevent prenatal infections.

  • Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. This is especially important after using the washroom, preparing raw meat and vegetables, and playing with children.
  • Cook meat until it is well-cooked.
  • Don’t consume unpasteurized or raw dairy products.
  • Don’t share eating utensils, cups, and food with others.
  • Reduce contact with saliva and urine from babies and young children.
  • Avoid changing cat litter and keep your distance from wild or pet rodents.
  • Practice safe sex and get tested for sexually transmitted infections.
  • Make sure your vaccinations are up to date.
Please get in touch with your consultant to learn more about prenatal infections and their prevention.

Steps to prevent infections during pregnancy

Infections during pregnancy can be harmful to both you and your baby. Timely preventive measures help improve chances of having a healthy baby.

Here are a few things you can do to prevent certain infections:

  1. Maintain good hygiene –

Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly to protect yourself and your baby. Regularly washing your hands, especially before and after any activity, is one of the best ways to eliminate germs, avoid getting sick and prevent infections. In case soap or running water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel.

  1. Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk and products made from it –

Avoid consuming soft cheeses unless they have labels that say they are pasteurized. Unpasteurized products contain harmful bacteria that can cause infections during pregnancy. Make sure you read the food labels before you buy any product.

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Common Infections During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the most wonderful phase in a woman’s life and every woman wants to be in the best health during this time. However, pregnancy can come with its share of uneasiness and being ill can take away from the experience. This makes it essential to take preventive measures, especially because it could be harmful to your baby.

What Can Make You Prone to Certain Infections?

Our body has a natural defence mechanism to protect us from bacteria and viruses. Antibodies help fight infections, but sometimes our body fails to make enough antibodies.

Infections occur during pregnancy mainly because the immunity is lowered. The immune system adapts to protect you as well as your baby. Some part of the defence mechanism is enhanced while some gets suppressed.

Infections contracted during pregnancy can be complicated as they affect not only you but, in some cases, also your baby. Therefore, learning about these infections and getting timely treatment is crucial. Here is a list of some common infections:

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