In an ideal world, you would breeze through your pregnancy without experiencing any infection or illness. However, the reality is that avoiding such maladies can never really be completely in your control. The truth is that when you’re pregnant, you will need to be extra cautious to avoid infections - especially during the first 3 months.

As many as 1 in 20 women contract an infection during pregnancy. But as much as this statistic may seem scary, fortunately, most infections are pretty harmless, with only a small number capable of causing damage to the developing fetus. And unless you choose to live as a hermit while you’re pregnant, it’s virtually impossible to avoid contracting a virus or infection completely, seeing as most infections are caught from other people.

So, let’s take a look at some of the infections you may be prone to during pregnancy.

What illnesses and infections may I contract during pregnancy?

Childhood viral infections

The 2 most problematic infections for pregnant women are common childhood infections - chickenpox and rubella (German measles).

Chickenpox. If chickenpox is contracted between the first 8 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, there is a 1 - 2% chance of congenital varicella syndrome (abnormalities affecting the brain, skin, eyes and limbs as well as growth problems later on). The risk of miscarriage is increased if contracted in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy.
Rubella virus. Rubella increases the risk of miscarriage if you contract rubella for the first time during early pregnancy. Or there could be severe effects on the developing fetus such as blindness, deafness, heart defects and mental retardation. Fortunately, not only is rubella extremely rare but most people have been immunised against it. If you are not immune, you will be asked to have a vaccination soon after you have given birth.

Whooping cough

Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that usually begins as a common cold and progresses to severe coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. As the highest rate of infection is among babies and teenagers, pregnant women are encouraged to be vaccinated between 28 and 28 weeks to protect their babies.

Common colds, flu and stomach bugs

Unless you develop a seriously high fever, which may cause miscarriage in early pregnancy, is it unlikely that your baby will be affected by a cough or cold. If you do develop a high fever, your doctor can prescribe you safe drugs to reduce your fever quickly. Pregnant women are at risk of developing a serious illness if they develop the seasonal flu, so are encouraged to get the flu vaccine. You can rest assured that having a flu jab while pregnant poses little or no risk to your baby, with the benefits far outweighing the risks. If you have an upset stomach or gastroenteritis during pregnancy, it is likely to cause no harm to the baby and is best treated with plenty of fluids.

Cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis and brucellosis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection (affecting approximately 2% of pregnant women usually in the first trimester) and can harm the unborn fetus or newborn infant, causing neurological complications and hearing loss. Symptoms include feeling unwell, tired or lethargic, with the most common transmission of the virus being through bodily fluids such as urine and saliva. It is therefore strongly recommended that you thoroughly wash your hands after changing a nappy and avoid kissing your young children on the mouth.
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection carried in the faeces of infected animals (most commonly in cats). 80% of people have already been infected without realising, as the symptoms are similar to flu. The plus to being infected previously is that you develop a natural immunity that protects the baby. But if you become infected while pregnant, there is a risk of miscarriage or developmental issues such as blindness and mental retardation. The way around this is to be extra cautious with the level of your hygiene around pets, especially in the first trimester.

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection, which can cause miscarriage. Brucellosis is also contracted from animals so if you work around animals (ie on a farm or in a veterinary surgery), take extra precautions to avoid contracting the infection by washing your hands frequently.

What illnesses and infections am I prone to in pregnancy?

Sickness in pregnancy is common but can be prevented.