Pregnancy

Infections are very dangerous not only for mother but also for fetus. Others may threaten maternal life directly and others may threaten fetal life without consequences on woman’s health, such as toxoplasmosis.

Very briefly:

• Bacterial Vaginosis: preterm labor
• Parvovirus: severe fetal anaemia, even fetal death
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV): neurological disease and reduced fetal growth. Mothers usually have no symptoms.
• Toxoplasmosis: it can be transmitted from meat and vegetables infected by Toxoplasma. The later a pregnant woman gets infected the more chance for the fetus to be sick. It may affect many different systems and cause major neurological abnormalities.
Women who have no antibodies against CMV should avoid cat faeces and eat 
very well cooked meat and washed vegetables.
• Herpes genitalis: it is very important to know if it is active at delivery. In that case caesarean section is recommended so to prevent any transmission to the newborn that may lead to encephalitis.
• Rubella: is the German measles. It may cause severe teratogenesis when a woman gets infected during the first trimester of pregnancy. All women should be checked for rubella antibodies. A woman who wants to get pregnant and hasn’t antibodies, should be vaccinated and try to get pregnant three months later.