Pregnancy: Infections and Illnesses

Being pregnant is an exciting time, and who would imagine that there is anything but joy and happiness about the baby on the way. Then reality sets in with morning sickness, absolute exhaustion and hideous heartburn. I was not a happy, glowing picture of impending motherhood. I was the evil banshee to predict the death of my naivete. I was the pregnasaurus rex. The quitting smoking and the hormones made me the scariest woman alive. I was stressed, grumpy and loaded with anxiety. Then, there is the literature with the restrictions, advice and possible risks to the mother and the baby. It can be terrifying, even as a prospective mother is looking forward to it. There are many mild to severe infections and illnesses that can occur just as often during pregnancy, and there are some that are more likely to occur during pregnancy. It is important to have a good line of communication with the health care professional for the safety of the mother and the unborn child.

High on the list of worries for an expectant mother is toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite that multiplies in the intestine of cats and is shed in cat feces, mainly into litter boxes and garden soil. Pregnant mothers need to be very careful, as the parasites could possibly infect the baby, as well as the mother. Toxoplasmosis can cause damage to the eyes and brain of a fetus. In order to avoid such damage, have no contact with the cat's litter box or soil where the cat has had a bowel movement. It is a good idea to tell the doctor that there is a cat in the home, so tests can be performed, and the mother and baby can be monitored. I had a cat during my first pregnancy, and although it was his cat, my husband would not keep the litter box clean, even for our child. I think he believed that if he ignored the possibility that it would hurt me or her, it would go away.

Then, there are things like genital herpes. Whee! Herpes symptoms can be painful sores in the genital area, itching, painful urination, vaginal discharge and tender lumps in the groin. If a woman has herpes, her doctor needs to be informed. If the doctor or clinic does not perform a test to check for sexually transmitted diseases, it is a good idea for the mother to ask for one. If the doctor knows she has herpes, he very likely will give her an antiviral medication to prevent an outbreak near her due date. If the mother has the sores or bumps during labor, the doctor will most likely deliver the child by Caesarian section to limit the chance that the baby will be infected. Genital herpes can cause death, brain damage and blindness in a newborn. It is very important to be honest with the doctor, for the baby's sake. I am grateful to whoever invented the condom. I really am.

If that is not enough cause for a pregnant woman to worry, there is the possibility that if she has HIV, she could possibly pass it to her unborn child during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or during breast feeding. However, there are some options that do not include terminating the pregnancy. If the test is positive, your obstetrician may prescribe Retrovir, or AZT, to slow the growth of the HIV. It cannot prevent the baby from getting HIV, but it can help the baby have more time to develop a stronger immune system. Again, thank you for the condom.

Group B strep is a bacteria that is found around the vagina and rectum. If a mother tests positive for it, her doctor will prescribe antibiotics during pregnancy or labor and delivery. The antibiotics are often added to the mother's IV. If the baby tests positive, after he is born, the doctor will give the baby antibiotics. This germ is not as scary as the viral infections, but it does need to be diagnosed and treated. I have heard from my own obstetrician that people who wipe from front to back are more likely to get it, but as that is not how I do it, I do not know if it is true. However, it could not hurt.

As if a pregnant woman does not have to empty her bladder enough, while pregnant there is a possibility of a urinary tract infection. A UTI is bad enough when there is not a baby putting pressure on internal organs by growing and using more space. The infection is in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra; it can affect all or part of that system. Since it is bacterial, it can be treated with an antibiotic, though. The main problem is the discomfort, although if it is not detected and treated, it can infect the baby or cause early labor.

There are other viral conditions that can occur during pregnancy, such as: chicken pox, Fifth's disease, cytomegalovirus and rubella. These are viral respiratory infections, and they can come from anywhere. There are also coughs, colds and flus. Pregnancy does not protect a woman from these viruses, and the first four mentioned can have serious side effects on a baby. This is a time when the best defense is to be careful. The usual precautions of washing hands and using disinfectants are vital. Avoid exposure to children who may have had contact with children who have them. Day-care and schools are rampant with such germs. During my second pregnancy, my daughter was diagnosed with Fifth's disease. Two weeks later, I had a miscarriage, so I can vouch for the reality of that.

Finally, there is the yeast infection. Blech, like a woman does not have enough to deal with. The hormonal conditions in a pregnant can cause them. Having to take antibiotics can cause them There is no escape. Fortunately, if the doctor knows about it, he can recommend an over the counter remedy or prescribe one. It is important to consult the doctor and let him run tests to see what kind yeast it is, so the correct medicine can be prescribed. Also, if it is not a yeast infection, he can treat whatever it is accordingly. I do not care what he needs to do, as long as he stops the burning and itching.

If I had known about these possibilities before I had children, I would have completely freaked and jumped on the "Heck No!" train for Nobabyville. Thankfully, other than the risk that my family would kill me, ship me of to whatever park would hold a pregnasaur, or run screaming when they saw me coming. I did not blame them one bit. I wanted to run screaming from me, too. The good news is that this baby factory has shut down, much to the relief of those who have to put up with me. However, it was worth it. I like my little monsters just as much as I love them. What good thing ever came easily?

http://familydoctor.org
www.cdc.gov
www.womens-health.co.uk
www.perinatology.com
www.babycenter.com
Personal experience.