Preventing Disease During Pregnancy
Because of the changes in to your body in pregnancy, you are more vulnerable to infection from viruses and bacteria.
Listeria
Unheated deli meats could potentially increase the risk of listeria but listeria infections but the risk in recent years is not substantial. Instead pregnant women should avoid foods that are being recalled due to listeria or any other infectious disease warning.
Toxoplasmosis:
Avoid handling cat litter or eating undercooked meat, as they may carry the toxoplasmosis parasite, which can be harmful during pregnancy.
Insect Borne Diseases
Insect bites can transmit diseases like Zika or West Nile Virus, posing risks during pregnancy.Choose insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) for safe use during pregnancy.
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Vaccines And Immunization
Vaccination can help safeguard the health of you and your developing baby by preventing infections that can be harmful or even life-threatening. Vaccines given in pregnancy can also help your newborn by passing on antibodies to provide immunity to disease until the child can be vaccinated.
Recommended Vaccinations in Pregnancy:
Influenza Vaccine (Flu): This vaccine is safe and is recommended for all pregnant individuals especially during the fall and winter season, regardless of trimester.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and pertussis) Vaccination: This vaccine helps prevent against whooping cough (pertussis). Whooping cough is very dangerous to an infant. Tdap is recommended between the weeks of 27 and 36 wks of pregnancy.
COVID-19 Vaccination: The COVID 19 vaccine is safe during pregnancy. If you have never been vaccinated, it is recommended that you receive the vaccine. Consult your health care provider for information on booster vaccinations as needed.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) Vaccine: RSV is a common childhood illness but can cause severe respiratory problems and even death in young infants. The vaccine is recommended for pregnant individuals in their late third trimester (32-36 weeks of pregnancy) to protect the newborn baby for the first 6 months of life.
Vaccines that should be avoided in Pregnancy:
Some vaccines contain live, attenuated viruses (or weakened viruses). These vaccines may cause an infection in pregnancy. The most common vaccines that should be avoided in pregnancy include the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and the chicken pox (varicella) vaccine. The HPV (human papilloma virus) should also be avoided in pregnancy.
Please discuss with us or your health care provider any concerns or questions you have about vaccination. We recommend vaccination as a vital step in protecting you during your pregnancy and your baby- both as they are growing inside of you and as a newborn.
