Contents:
- Medical Video: First Month of Pregnancy Symptoms -- Early Pregnancy Symptoms
- Some infections during pregnancy often occur
- 1. Bacterial vaginosis
- 2. Vaginal fungal infections
- 3. Group B Streptococcus infection
- 4. Trichomoniasis
- Preventing the mother from getting infected easily
Medical Video: First Month of Pregnancy Symptoms -- Early Pregnancy Symptoms
Pregnant women are more susceptible to infection because of hormonal changes that suppress the immune system so that the body becomes easily tired. Some types of infections during pregnancy should be watched out by mothers. What infections?
Some infections during pregnancy often occur
There are several types of infections during pregnancy that must be known:
1. Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a bacterial infection that attacks the vagina. Onethan 5 pregnant women can develop this vaginal infection. Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy is affected by pregnancy hormone fluctuations. Symptoms include grayish-white discharge and a fishy odor, pain during urination, and itchy vagina.
If left untreated, BV symptoms will last a long time. The effect on babies can be born prematurely or have a low birth weight.
2. Vaginal fungal infections
In addition to bacterial infections, pregnant women are also susceptible to fungal infections in their vagina. Fungal infections of the vagina during pregnancy are generally caused by excessive growth of the Candida albicans fungus, which is affected by increased estrogen levels. Higher estrogen levels during pregnancy make your vagina produce more glycogen, which then makes the fungus easier to thrive there.
The proliferation of fungal growth causes the vagina to itch and feel hot, pain when urinating or having sex, and produce smelly vaginal discharge. In addition to pregnant women, nursing mothers are also susceptible to this infection for the same reason.
3. Group B Streptococcus infection
Group B Streptococcus infection (GBS) is a bacterial infection that often attacks the vagina of a pregnant woman or her anus. Strep B itself is actually a type of bacteria that commonly lives in the body.
Strep B infection can cause bladder infections and uterine infections. Pregnant women who are positive for GBS can transmit the infection to their babies through blood flow in the placenta or during labor. However, the risk of infection in infants tends to be small. Only 1 in 2,000 cases of exposure to infection during pregnancy caused strep B infection in infants.
In serious cases, strep B infection in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, and stillbirth. But this is very rare.
Still, GBS cannot be ignored. Pregnant women should see a doctor if they suspect GSB infection.
4. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is an infection caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is a type of venereal disease that can be transmitted through unprotected sex.
Being infected with trichomoniasis during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature delivery, or even the weight of a low baby at birth. Although rare, there is also the possibility of infection can be transmitted to babies during childbirth.
Preventing the mother from getting infected easily
Infection during pregnancy can actually be prevented with a variety of easy things you can do every day. Namely:
- Don't forget to wash your hands in every activity using soap and water. This is very important to do, especially after leaving the toilet, cutting raw meat, vegetables, and playing with children
- Eat foods that are cooked properly. Don't eat raw meat, like sushi or sashimi first
- Don't consume unpasteurized or raw dairy products
- Don't share cutlery, cups and food with other people
- Avoid cleaning cat litter directly, and it's a good idea to avoid direct contact with pets during pregnancy.
- Make sure you get some important vaccines for pregnancy, one of which is a vaccine for hepatitis, meningitis, and tetanus.
