Being aware of unusual signs and symptoms can help a pregnant woman navigate an infection. A pregnant woman who has even a minor infection during pregnancy should talk with their doctor or midwife. The top three vaginal infections to watch for are bacterial vaginosis, vaginal yeast infections, and group B Streptococcus. Note: Other infections that occur in pregnancy will be listed with brief comment.

Vaginal infections

Vaginal infections are common during pregnancy and are not usually concerning.

• Bacterial vaginosis, a bacterial infection in the vagina, might cause preterm labor. Symptoms include a foul smelling vaginal discharge, which is usually white or grayish. Cases that are not treated during pregnancy can lead to complications like miscarriage or preterm delivery. There is a high risk of developing sexually transmitted infections like herpes simplex, HIV, and chlamydia. There’s also a higher risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Vaginal yeast infections are often caused by Candida, a fungus. These infections are common and happen in pregnancy due to changes in the woman’s immune system, higher estrogen levels, and increased production of glycogen. Other factors that could result in yeast infections include uncontrolled blood sugar levels, frequent vaginal douching, and a recent history of taking antibiotics or steroids. Symptoms include soreness, itching, and redness in the vagina, along with a whitish vaginal discharge.
• Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a bacterial that is normally found in the urinary tract, reproductive tract, or digestive tract. It usually does not cause problems, but it can affect a baby during labor and delivery and could cause severe complications in newborns, and in rare cases can even be fatal. Meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis are the most common infections in babies due to GBS. 

Just because the above list calls these infections the three most common infections, does not mean the most pregnant women will experience them. I have never had any of them during my pregnancies. I have, however, had other infections, like respiratory or urinary tract infections during my pregnancies. You might find some of the following more common in your experience.  

Other Problematic Infections

Other infections that could cause problems in pregnancy include:

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), or bladder infections, are important to address in pregnancy.  Blog 187 goes into detail about how a UTI can affect the unborn baby, how to avoid getting one, and how to provide body support, including dietary and supplement support. You can read this blog at: https://lavenderpathwellness.com/2023/08/01/blog-187-pregnancy-urinary-tract-infections/
• Uterine infections are more concerning than vaginal infections because they increase risks during pregnancy. A uterine infection may affect the placenta, harm the developing baby, cause premature labor, or lead to birth abnormalities. It could also make labor more difficult or dangerous since some people could experience organ failure or other life-threatening conditions.
• Respiratory Infections- a weakened immune system can make a pregnant woman more success susceptible to respiratory infections like pneumonia and bronchitis. These infections could result in complications from the common cold and flu. Most common bacteria creating a problem in the lungs during pregnancy are Streptococcus, Hemophilus, and Mycoplasma. Complications for the unborn baby include low birth weight, preterm delivery, respiratory distress, or miscarriage.
• Ear infections
• Flu complications include stillbirth, preterm birth, or low birth weight.
• Hepatitis could infect a baby.
• Viral infections such as Herpes, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV), HIV could infect the baby.
• Listeria, which can cause food poisoning, could also cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth abnormalities.
• Chickenpox complications include meningitis, hepatitis, and Varicella pneumonia.
• Measles occurring pregnancy can lead to a loss of pregnancy, early delivery, or low birth weight.
• Lyme disease is not thought to pass from an infected mother to her baby, but mom may need antibiotics to prevent any complications.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections- Most common infections during pregnancy like respiratory tract or urinary tract infections do not cause serious problems for the baby, but some sexually transmitted infections can be passed on to the baby before or during birth and can cause harm like miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm birth. These could include gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, syphilis, or human papillomavirus.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that usually does not cause many symptoms but can harm the baby if contracted during pregnancy. Common symptoms are body aches, fatigue, fever, skin rashes, and sore throat.
• Zika is a viral illness that comes from the bite of an infected mosquito. It can be passed from an infected mother to her baby, which can be fatal.
• Pregnant women may be more susceptible to complications from many infections because they are experiencing many body changes. One example is hormone-related skin infections caused by severely dry skin that can lead to cellulitis. Another example is Sweet’s syndrome, a rare skin disorder that is more common during pregnancy.

Infections should be monitored during pregnancy and wellness plans should be followed to support the body and bring it back into balance.

Action Step

Wow! That’s a lot of possible infections for a mother to have during pregnancy! It is important to remember that infections during pregnancy are usually not a problem for the mother or her baby. However, being aware of the signs and symptoms of infections and seeking (and following) medical advice is crucial.

Resources:

https://www.beingtheparent.com/10-most-common-infections-during-pregnancy

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8130645

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322210#preventing-infections

https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/normal-pregnancy/infections-during-pregnancy

https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/infectious-diseases-in-pregnancy

May God bless you on your wellness journey!

Joni

PS What experience do you have with infections during pregnancy?