Toxoplasmosis

Apart from pregnancy and problems with the immune system, this parasitic infection does not pose any particular problem. It can manifest itself in the form of a slight fever, a little fatigue, ganglia in the neck … But in most cases, it does not give any symptoms. Many people therefore do not know whether or not they have already had toxoplasmosis. This is why a toxoplasmosis serology is systematically prescribed at the beginning of pregnancy. Because if the parasite causing the disease crosses the placental barrier, the fetus is exposed to a risk of death. in utero, premature delivery, neurological or ophthalmological sequelae …

If the blood test indicates that you are immune (positive serology), do not worry, you can no longer catch toxoplasmosis. If you are not immune, you will need to take some precautions to protect yourself from contamination:

• Wash your hands thoroughly, for at least 30 seconds, brushing your nails, especially after handling raw meat or vegetables soiled with soil;
• Eat well-cooked meat, avoid tartars and rare cooking;
• Avoid raw, smoked or salted cold meats, as well as raw cheese or goat’s milk, including in the form of cheese;
• Rinse raw vegetables, fruits that you cannot peel and aromatic plants well in order to remove all traces of soil;
• Avoid raw shellfish;
• Wash kitchen surfaces and utensils after each use, especially after cutting raw meat or peeling fruits and vegetables;
• Wear gloves when gardening;
• If you have a cat, its litter box should be changed every day and, ideally, the box washed in hot water. If you cannot delegate this task, wear gloves. Nothing prevents you from petting your pet, but wash your hands thoroughly and brush your nails after each contact.

Rubella

This childhood illness caused by a virus that circulates in the air can be transmitted to the fetus when it is contracted during pregnancy. The contaminated fetus is then exposed to growth retardation, eye damage, deafness, paralysis of the limbs, heart defects, brain development disorders, etc.

Today, many women are immune to rubella, either because they caught it as a child or because they were vaccinated. Despite everything, rubella serology is part of the blood test prescribed as soon as the pregnancy is known. This control makes it possible to set up special surveillance for those who are not immunized (negative serology). Indeed, the fetus can be infected even if its mother does not have any of the usual symptoms of rubella (small rashes on the face and chest, lymph nodes, fever, sore throat and headache).

Chickenpox

Caught in childhood, chickenpox is painful with its blisters and itching, but in the vast majority of cases, it is not serious. On the other hand, contracted during pregnancy, the chickenpox virus can have dreadful consequences for the fetus: malformations, neurological lesions, intrauterine growth retardation … If the contamination occurs near childbirth, the risk of lung damage of the infant is very important. Chickenpox is then associated with a risk of mortality of 20 to 30%.

To prevent this risk, it is now recommended for women wishing to have a child and having no clinical history of chickenpox to be vaccinated. Vaccination should be preceded by a negative pregnancy test, followed by contraception throughout the vaccination schedule, which includes two doses at least one month apart.

If you are pregnant and are not immune to chickenpox, avoid contact with someone who is sick. If you have been in contact with someone who is sick, talk to your doctor. You may be prescribed specific treatment, either by injection of specific anti-chickenpox antibodies or by an antiviral drug. Your pregnancy will also be more closely monitored.

Listeriosis

La Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium found in soil, vegetation and in water. It can therefore be found in foods of plant or animal origin, including if they are refrigerated. Listeriosis caused by Listeria monocytogenes is a rare but serious disease when it occurs during pregnancy (50 because per year in France) because it can cause miscarriages, premature deliveries, infections in the newborn.

In pregnant women, listeriosis results in a more or less high fever, accompanied by headaches and sometimes digestive disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Such symptoms therefore require medical advice in order to be able, if necessary, to benefit from antibiotic therapy and optimal monitoring of the pregnancy.

To prevent contamination, some precautions are necessary:

• Wash your hands well before and after handling raw food (meat, eggs, raw vegetables) and carefully clean the work surface and utensils;
• Do not eat raw or undercooked meat, shellfish or raw fish;
• Do not eat soft cheese especially if they are made from raw milk;
• Avoid cooked meats such as rillettes, foie gras or jellied products;
• Prefer pasteurized milk.

Urinary tract infections

Pregnancy is a risky period for the urinary system because it causes a general decline in the immune system as well as a dilation of the urethra, this small channel through which urine is evacuated. The urethra being more permeable, the germs easily go up to the bladder. Moreover, under the effect of progesterone and the weight of the fetus, the bladder loses its tone and no longer empties completely, promoting urine stagnation where microbes can proliferate.

Urinary tract infections are particularly problematic in pregnant women because if the infection reaches the kidneys (pyelonephritis), it can cause contractions and therefore premature delivery. So be careful if you suddenly have the urge to urinate very often, feel burning when you urinate, have stomach pain and back pain. These symptoms require medical advice. If the diagnosis of urinary tract infection is confirmed, antibiotic therapy should be started.

To limit the risk of urinary tract infection:

• Drink between 1,5 and 2 liters of water per day;
• Urinate before and after intercourse;
• Make an intimate daily toilet with a gentle product adapted to the pH of the vaginal flora. Avoid using a glove, it is a real nest of germs, or else change it every day;
• Wear cotton underwear;
• Do not keep a wet swimsuit;
• Treat any constipation;
• Don’t hold back from going to the bathroom and always wipe yourself back and forth so you don’t bring bacteria near the urethra.