Infection during pregnancy that often occurs and must be watched out

Pregnant women are more susceptible to infection due to hormonal changes that suppress the immune system so that the body becomes tired easily. Several types of infections during pregnancy should be aware of the mothers. What are the infections?

Several infections during pregnancy are common

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. One in 5 pregnant women can develop this vaginal infection. Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy occurs influenced by the fluctuation of pregnancy hormones. Symptoms include grayish, fishy-smelling discharge, painful urination, and vaginal itching.

If left untreated, the symptoms of BV will last a long time. The effect on babies can be born prematurely or have low birth weight.

2. Vaginal yeast infection

Apart from bacterial infections, pregnant women are also prone to developing vaginal yeast infections. Yeast infection of the vagina during pregnancy is generally caused by overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans, which is influenced by increased estrogen levels. Higher levels of estrogen during pregnancy make your vagina produce more glycogen, which then makes it easier for yeast to thrive there.

The spread of this yeast growth causes the vagina to itch and feel hot, painful when urinating or having sex, and a discharge that smells bad. Apart from pregnant women, breastfeeding 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 a pregnant woman's vagina or anus. Strep B itself is actually a type of bacteria that commonly live in the body.

Strep B infection can lead to bladder and uterine infections. Pregnant women who are positive for GBS can pass the infection to their baby through the bloodstream in the placenta or during delivery. However, the risk of infection in babies tends to be small. Only 1 in 2,000 cases of exposure to infection during pregnancy causes strep B infection in infants.

In serious cases, strep B infection in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, and still birth. However this is very rare.

Still, GBS shouldn't be ignored. Pregnant women should see a doctor if they suspect they have a 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 while pregnant can increase the risk of preterm delivery, or even low birth weight. Although rare, there is also the possibility that the infection can be passed on to the baby during childbirth.

Preventing the mother from getting infected easily

Infections during pregnancy can actually be prevented with a variety of easy things that you can do every day. Namely:

• Don't forget to wash your hands in every activity using soap and water. This is especially important after going to the toilet, cutting raw meat, vegetables, and playing with children
• Eat foods where the meat is well cooked. Don't eat raw meaty foods, such as sushi or sashimi at first
• Don't eat unpasteurized or raw dairy products
• Do not share utensils, 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 to get pregnant, one of which is the hepatitis, meningitis, and tetanus vaccines.

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