[YOUR HEALTH] For safe pregnancy, avoid infections

On the surface of it, pregnancy is a beautiful experience, because it is through it that we are able to usher in a new human being into the world.

In many cultures, people fall over themselves to take care of a pregnant woman, not just because it is the right thing to do, but also because pregnancy predisposes a woman to many things, including infections, diseases, etc.

While pregnancy is not a state of disease in any sense of it, physicians do believe that it is a delicate situation that affects the wellbeing of the expectant mom and her unborn foetus; and that is why the expectant mother is advised to be in constant touch with her physician.

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The Special Adviser on Public Health to the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, describes pregnancy as a “trauma to the body.” Experts warn that pregnancy affects every physiological system in a woman’s body. “Changes in immune function and hormonal balance can make the pregnant woman more vulnerable to infections and serious complications. Again, labour and delivery are especially susceptible times for both the mother and her baby,” they say.

And though viral or bacterial pandemics threaten the general population, special populations, such as pregnant women (and children), are usually at a higher risk and more susceptible to or more severely affected by infectious diseases.

General Practitioner, Dr. Tunde Adebayo, says a foetus could be influenced if, during pregnancy, the mother develops any infection, because it could determine whether or not she will lose the pregnancy or deliver the baby prematurely.

Adebayo says there are infections which, if they infect a woman during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy could lead to loss of pregnancy in nearly 94 percent of cases, or “extremely premature birth” in about six percent.

He adds that when certain infections occur near the time of birth, the baby may not necessarily suffer from the risk of complications if born before the expected day of delivery, but blood poisoning may occur and the baby may need neonatal intensive care treatment after delivery.

Adebayo says, “Some infections that occur during pregnancy pose a risk primarily to the mother. Others, which can be transmitted to the foetus, present serious risks for the baby as well. Some infections during pregnancy can even lead to miscarriage, pre-term labour, birth defects, or maternal death.

“To complicate matters, the drugs used to treat infections can cause serious side effects, especially for the unborn child. And that is why we counsel pregnant women to imbibe good hygienic practices as well as sound dietary habit.”

Probable infections in pregnancy

One of the infections that pregnant women must guard against is chorioamnionitis – a bacterial infection that occurs either before or during labour. This infection of the “water” (amniotic fluid), affects between one and 10 per cent of women at term and up to 33 per cent of patients who deliver before they are due.

Adebayo explains that “Chorioamnionitis usually develops when bacteria that are part of the normal vaginal flora enter into the uterine cavity, infecting the amniotic fluid, placenta and the baby.”

Those who are at risk, experts say, are women who are less than 21 years old when they become pregnant; people of low socio-economic status, first pregnancy, long labour, prolonged rupture of the membranes (bag of waters), rupture of membranes in early pregnancy, multiple vaginal examinations during labour especially in women with ruptured membranes; and those with pre-existing infections of the lower genital tract.

Another infection that a pregnant woman can experience is the urinary tract infection. Adebayo explains that as the uterus enlarges during pregnancy, it compresses the tubes (ureters) that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder (where urine is stored).

“The increased secretion of the hormone progesterone relaxes the ureter and bladder muscles, thus making urine to stay in the bladder for too long. This increases the pregnant mom’s susceptibility to urinary tract infections,” the physician enthuses.

Yeast infection, otherwise known as candidiasis, is another infection a pregnant woman could have. Adebayo says the effect of increased oestrogen in the reproductive tract predisposes an expectant woman to frequent yeast infections.

“Because the pregnant woman’s lungs contain more fluid during pregnancy and pressure on the lungs from the abdomen makes it harder to clear this fluid, she is more likely to develop pneumonia. This is true because the extra fluid stimulates bacterial growth and hinders her body’s ability to resist infection,” he adds.

Another infection that a pregnant woman must guard against is listeriosis. Adebayo describes it as “a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria listeria monocytogenes.”

While anyone could be exposed to this infection at any time, physicians say pregnancy makes the risk higher.

“This is because 14 percent of listeriosis cases occur during pregnancy, while pregnant women are approximately 13 times more likely to be infected,” experts at Centres for Disease Control and Prevention advise.

Adebayo warns that listeria or another pathogen could put the expectant mother and baby at risk for serious complications.

“Listeria crosses the placenta, so it can cause miscarriage, pre-term labour, stillbirth, or serious illness or death in the newborn,” the physician warns.

Adebayo says unless properly diagnosed, symptoms can take days or, sometimes, weeks, to manifest; and they include fever, chills, headache, body aches and gastrointestinal symptoms. The victim may also experience loss of balance and confusion if it is not properly managed, physicians say.

Help yourself: To prevent listeriosis,

• Avoid anything raw, including unpasteurised milk and cheese
• Avoid undercooked eggs
• Wash your hands constantly – after using the bathroom, before touching any food
• Use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables; and replace old cutting boards because bacteria can lurk in-between
• Always wash your fruits and vegetables before eating

To prevent chorioamnionitis, candidiasis and urinary tract infection, practice scrupulous hygiene; and if you suspect any infection, see the doctor immediately, instead of resorting to self medications.

Happy delivery!

Culled - @AyoAderelePUNCH

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