Prevention of infections during pregnancy:
Infections during pregnancy can affect the mother-to-be and her baby.
Making healthy choices, as well as taking a few extra precautions, can improve your baby's chances of being born healthy.
Here are 11 tips to protect yourself and your baby from infections during pregnancy:
1- Practice good hygiene and wash your hands often:
especially when you're around or taking care of children. Washing your hands regularly, especially before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, stave off illness, and prevent infection. If soap and plain water are not available, you can use an alcohol hand gel. Find out how clean hands can save lives.
2- Cook meat thoroughly (well done):
The meat juices should run clear and the meat should not be raw (pink) inside.
Do not eat hot dogs, corned meats, or processed meats unless you reheat them until they give off steam.
These undercooked or processed meats can contain harmful bacteria. Learn more about listeriosis .
3- Avoid milk that is not pasteurized (raw) and foods made with this milk:
Do not eat soft cheeses, such as feta, brie, or queso fresco, unless the labels indicate that they have been pasteurized. Unpasteurized products can contain harmful bacteria.
4- Ask your doctors about group B strep (GBS):
About 1 in 4 women carry this type of bacteria, but do not feel sick.
A simple swab test towards the end of pregnancy will reveal if you have this type of bacteria.
If you have GBS, talk to your doctor about how to protect your baby during delivery. Learn more about GBS infections .
5- Talk to your doctor about vaccinations:
Some are recommended before becoming pregnant, during pregnancy, or immediately after delivery. Getting the right shots at the right time can help you stay healthy and help prevent your baby from getting sick or having long-term health problems.
6- Get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STDs):
such as HIV and hepatitis B, and protect yourself and your baby from these diseases. Some people have HIV, hepatitis B, or an STD and don't feel sick. It is important to know if you have any of these diseases.
If you have one of these, talk to your doctor about how you can reduce your baby's chance of getting sick. Learn more about how to prevent STDs.
7- Avoid people who have an infection:
Stay away from people who have infections, such as chickenpox or rubella, if you haven't had these illnesses or if you weren't vaccinated before pregnancy.
8- Protect yourself from disease-carrying insects:
Stay up to date with information about the Zika virus in the area where you live or where you plan to travel. When ticks and mosquitoes are active, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you go outdoors.
Use U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered (approved) insect repellents that contain one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (para- methane-diol 3.8).
Avoid traveling to areas where these infections may pose a threat to you and your baby. Learn more about Zika virus and pregnancy .
9- Do not touch or clean dirty cat litter and avoid contact with soil/sand that may be contaminated:
Ask someone else to do it. If you have to clean the litter, be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands afterward. Dirty litter and litter can contain harmful parasites.
10- Stay away from wild or pet rodents, lizards, turtles, and their droppings:
Hire a pest control professional to remove pests in and around your home.
If you have a pet rodent, such as a hamster or guinea pig, have someone else care for them until your baby is born. Some rodents can carry harmful viruses.
11- Take only vitamins in the doses recommended by your doctor:
Your doctor may recommend a daily prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid, iron, calcium, and other minerals, as well as the fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA).
Make sure your doctor knows about other supplements you take, such as herbal remedies. Learn more about the benefits of folic acid .
