February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month, an observance to promote awareness of infections transmitted from mother to baby. Prenatal infections include bacterial or viral illnesses that can be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or during the delivery process. Due to the serious consequences for mother and baby, prenatal infection prevention is a critical component of maternal and child health promotion.
Some infections before and during pregnancy can hurt both you and your developing fetus. They can cause serious illness, birth defects, and lifelong disabilities, such as hearing loss or learning problems. Here are 10 tips to help prevent infections before and during pregnancy:
Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy or to her baby around the time of birth. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly (a birth defect where a baby’s head and brain are smaller than babies of the same age and sex) and other severe brain defects.
Wash your hands with soap and water especially after doing the following:
A common virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) can cause problems for some babies, including microcephaly and hearing loss. A woman who is infected with CMV can pass the virus to her developing baby during pregnancy. Women may be able to lessen their risk of getting CMV by reducing contact with saliva and urine from babies and young children. Some ways to do this are by not sharing food and utensils with babies and young children and washing hands after changing diapers. These actions can’t eliminate your risk of getting CMV but may lessen your chances of getting it.
Do not eat soft cheeses, such as feta, brie, and queso fresco, unless they have labels that say they are pasteurized. Unpasteurized products can contain harmful bacteria. Listeria, a harmful germ that can hide in many food products, is often linked to dairy products. Investigators have traced recent outbreaks to soft cheeses, celery, sprouts, cantaloupe, and ice cream.
Have someone else do it. If you must change the cat litter yourself, be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands afterward. Dirty cat litter might contain a harmful parasite. They become infected by eating infected rodents, birds, or other small animals. The parasite is then passed in the cat’s feces. Cats play an important role in the spread of toxoplasmosis, an infection that can have serious implications for unborn and newborn babies.
Have a pest control professional get rid of pests in or around your home. If you have a pet rodent, like a hamster or guinea pig, have someone else care for it until after your baby arrives. Some rodents might carry a harmful virus. Learn more about lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV).
Some people that have HIV, hepatitis B, or an STD do not feel sick. Knowing if you have one of these diseases is important. If you do, talk to your healthcare provider about reducing the chance that your baby will become sick. Learn more about STDs.
Some vaccinations are recommended before you become pregnant, during pregnancy, or right after delivery. Having the right vaccinations at the right time can help keep you healthy and help keep your baby from getting very sick or having life-long health problems. Learn more about vaccinations during pregnancy here.
If you have not yet had or did not have the vaccine before pregnancy, stay away from people whom you know have infections, such as chickenpox or rubella.
About 1 in 4 women carry this type of bacteria but do not feel sick. An easy swab test near the end of pregnancy will show if you have this type of bacteria. If you do have group B streptococcus, talk to your healthcare provider about how to protect your baby during labor.
These tips can help you prevent infections that could harm you and your developing baby. You will not always know if you have an infection and sometimes you will not feel sick. If you think you might have an infection or think you are at risk, see your healthcare provider. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider to learn more about safe food preparation, wearing insect repellent when outside, taking medicine, and other important topics.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/microcephaly.html
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information#map