It's no fun being sick, especially during pregnancy, when you're likely to worry about your developing baby's health as much as your own. Fortunately, you may already be immune to a number of contagious diseases. And thanks to a successful vaccination program, German measles — the most dangerous infection of all for a developing baby — is now very rare in this country.
You can also take comfort in the fact that most babies aren't harmed if their mother gets an infection during pregnancy. But some bugs can be transmitted to babies through the placenta or during birth, and when that happens, it may have serious consequences for the baby. What's more, some infections can make you sicker if you get them when you're pregnant or may lead to other complications like preterm labor.
Although you can't avoid all infections while you're pregnant, you can take certain steps to make it less likely that you'll get sick and reduce the risk of serious problems for you or your baby if you do get an infection. Getting prenatal care is crucial. For example, simple blood tests can tell you whether you're immune to certain infections, such as chicken pox and rubella. You'll also be tested for infections you may not even know you have, including urinary tract infections, group B strep, hepatitis B, and HIV. If you think you've been exposed to a serious infection or do get sick, getting care in a timely manner can often help prevent complications.
You can do a number of things on your own, too. Basic measures like washing your hands, not sharing drinking glasses or utensils, not changing cat litter, using gloves when gardening, and staying away from anyone with a contagious disease will reduce your risk of getting sick.
Practicing safe sex will help prevent many sexually transmitted infections. Visiting your dentist regularly will help ensure that you don't have gum disease, which may increase your risk of preterm labor. And you can take measures to avoid food-borne infections too — such as not eating certain foods, washing fruits and vegetables, and making sure that your meat, fish, and eggs are well cooked and your work surfaces aren't contaminated.
