Infections in Pregnancy

GBS is a bacteria commonly found in the vagina or lower intestine of pregnant women. It is found in ten to 30 per cent of pregnant women.

Can it affect my baby?

If you have GBS, it can spread to your baby during labour and birth if your water is broken for a long time. It can cause problems for your baby, including:

• Blood infection.
• Pneumonia.
• Meningitis (infection of the fluid around the baby's brain).

How can I protect myself and my baby?

Your health care provider will do prenatal testing between 35 and 37 weeks gestation. If needed, you will receive antibiotics during labour.

It is important to go to the hospital right away if you have GBS and your water breaks, even if you are not in labour.

CMV is a type of herpes virus. It often has no symptoms. It is spread by contact with urine or saliva of an infected person.

Can it affect my baby?

Your unborn baby can become infected with CMV, which can lead to:

• Miscarriage.
• Stillbirth.
• Hearing problems.
• Liver problems.
• Eye problems.
• Problems with brain development.

How can I protect myself and my baby?

Always practice good hand washing. Do not share food or eating utensils.

Toxoplasmosis is a type of parasite found in the stool of an infected cat. It can also be found in raw or undercooked meat.

Can it affect my baby?

If your baby becomes infected, it can lead to:

• Miscarriage.
• Stillbirth
• Vision or hearing problems.
• Learning disabilities.
• Problems with brain development.

How can I protect myself and my baby?

• Always wash your hands, especially after handling a cat or preparing raw meat.
• Do not clean the litter box while pregnant.
• Dispose of cat litter in the garbage and not in your garden.
• Use gloves if you are gardening.
• Avoid stray cats.
• Make sure your meat is well cooked.
• Do not eat raw meat.

For more information, visit toxoplasmosis and pregnancy FAQ.

Whooping cough is a disease of the upper airway. If you have it, you may have a violent cough, sounding like a "whoop" while breathing in. The cough is often followed by throwing up. Whooping cough can be spread easily through the air when a sick person sneezes or coughs. It is also spread through direct contact with nose or throat mucous.

Can it affect my baby?

Whooping cough can be dangerous to your baby if you have it during the last 3 weeks of your pregnancy as you can pass whooping cough to your baby. Whooping cough is most severe during the first 6 months of life and can cause pneumonia in your baby or other serious infections.

How can I protect myself and my baby?

• Talk to your doctor about getting a vaccine for whooping cough.
• Always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
• Do not share things that have been in contact with saliva. This includes water bottles, straws, eating utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes or toys.

For more information read facts about pertussis (whooping cough).

Fifth disease is also called "slapped cheek" or human parvovirus.

Fifth disease spreads through saliva, sneezing, coughing and (rarely) blood. It is usually spread before the rash starts. If you have fifth disease, you will likely have a rash on your face which is very red. You may also have a lace-like rash on your arms, legs, abdomen or chest.

Can it affect my baby ?

More than half of childbearing women have developed immunity to this virus. If you have the infection during the first half of your pregnancy, there is a very small risk that it will affect your baby. Talk to your doctor or health care provider if you are concerned.

How can I protect myself and my baby?

• Always wash your hands and use hand sanitizer.
• Talk to your doctor about your immune status.

For more information, read facts about fifth disease.

Chickenpox (varicella)

Chickenpox is a viral infection that can be prevented by getting a vaccine. Chickenpox symptoms include fever, tiredness and an itchy rash. Most women are immune to chickenpox.

Can it affect my baby?

If you get chickenpox early in your pregnancy, there is a very small chance that it can hurt your unborn baby. If you have chickenpox shortly before or after giving birth, your baby can get a severe infection.

How can I protect myself and my baby?

• Talk to your health care provider and ask for a blood test to see if you are immune.
• If you are not immune, avoid contact with anyone who has chickenpox.
• Avoid anyone who has been around someone with chickenpox.
• If you think you have been exposed to chickenpox (and you are not immune), see your health care provider right away.

For more information, read facts about chickenpox.

Listeriosis

Listeriosis is an illness that you can get by eating contaminated food. The bacteria can cause mild flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, nausea, vomiting or cramps.

Can it affect my baby?

Pregnant women usually have only a mild, flu-like illness. However, some infections can lead to stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the baby.

How can I protect myself and my baby?

• Always practice good hand washing.
• Keep food in the fridge at 4 ° C or colder.
• Put food in the fridge right away.
• Thoroughly cook all meats and seafood before eating.
• Wash raw vegetables and fruit before eating.
• Avoid foods made with raw (unpasteurized) dairy.
• Avoid soft and semi-soft cheese like feta, brie or camembert.
• Store raw meat separately from other foods

For more information, read facts about listeriosis.

Rubella (German measles)

Rubella is a mild but highly spreadable infection. Symptoms may include a rash, swollen glands, fever, runny nose, red eyes, headache, joint pain and feeling unwell. Most women are immune by the time they become pregnant, but not all women are immune, so it's important to have a blood test. Talk to your health care provider about getting tested.

Can it affect my baby?

Early in pregnancy, there is a high risk for miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects. Babies can also have problems with their vision and hearing.

How can I protect myself and my baby?

• Always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
• Talk to your health care provider to see if you are immune.
• Talk to your health care provider if you think you have been around someone with Rubella.

For more information, read facts about rubella.

Influenza (the flu)

The flu is a serious respiratory illness caused by the flu virus. It affects your nose, throat and lungs. Pregnant women are at risk for flu complications.

Flu symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Headaches.
• Chills.
• Cough.
• Loss of appetite.
• Muscle aches.
• Tiredness.
• Runny nose.
• Sneezing.
• Water eyes.
• Sore throat.

Can it affect my baby?

If you get the flu while pregnant, your baby may be born early or have a low birthweight.

How can I protect myself and my baby?

• Always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
• Get your flu vaccine each year.
• Ask your family and friends to get a flu vaccine.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
• Do not share things like toothbrushes, lip products and drinks.
• Keep common surfaces and items clean.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Talk to your health care provider if you think you have the flu.

For more information, read facts about influenza.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

There are many sexually transmitted infections that you can pass to your baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Some STIs do not have any symptoms, so you might not know you have one. Talk to your health care provider about being tested and treated for STIs.

The most common STIs in Canada are:

• Chlamydia.
• Gonorrhea.
• Human papilloma virus (HPV), also known as genital warts.
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV), also known as genital herpes.

Other STIs that can affect your baby include:

• Hepatitis B.
• Hepatitis A.
• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
• Syphilis.

If you have any questions about STIs, talk to your doctor or health care provider.