Four Tips from Intermountain Health to Stay Healthy During Pregnancy

Infections during pregnancy can lead to complications for mom or baby. Going to all suggested prenatal and postpartum visits and doing the recommended screening tests during pregnancy helps a woman's doctor or midwife identify any complications with their health and/or the health of baby earlier.

Infections are spread by bacteria or viruses that can cause disease. Some of the most harmful infections in pregnancy are COVID-19, influenza (flu), chickenpox, sexually transmitted infections, listeria, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasmosis.

“Have a pre-conception conversation with your women’s health or primary care provider to talk about conditions to be screened for prior to getting pregnant and what vaccines are recommended prior to or during pregnancy,” said Dr. Jennifer Merriman, a maternal fetal medicine physician at Intermountain Health based in the Salt Lake City area.

Staying up-to-date on vaccines can help you reduce your risk of infection or complications from those diseases during pregnancy. Have a conversation with your pregnancy provider about what vaccines are recommended for you before or during pregnancy.

Four tips to stay healthy and prevent infection during pregnancy

1. Receive the recommended vaccines

Recommended pre-pregnancy vaccines:

• Measles, mumps, rubella
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Hepatitis A & B
• HPV (human papillomavirus)

Vaccines that are safe to give during pregnancy

• Influenza (Flu)
• COVID-19
• RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
• Tdap

1. Recommended screenings for infection during pregnancy

• Sexually transmitted infections
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
• Hepatitis B & C
• Tuberculosis (if applicable)
• Urinary tract infections
• Group B streptococcus bacteria

According to the American College of Gynecology, practicing good hygiene during pregnancy can help reduce your chance of an infection. Infections can be spread by air, contact with sick people, contact with contaminated surfaces, animals, and contaminated food and water.

1. Simple hygiene tips to prevent infection

• Wash hands often: before you eat, after using the bathroom, after changing diapers, and when around people who are sick. Wash hands after touching food, pets, or dirt.
• If around young children, avoid contact with their saliva and urine, and don’t share food, drinks, or utensils.
• Do not share personal items like toothbrushes and razors.
• Avoid changing cat litter, particularly with outdoor cats.
• Practice safe sex. Sexually transmitted diseases can be contracted from another person’s body fluids.

“Be mindful of infectious diseases currently circulating such as measles, influenza (flu), COVID, parvovirus B19 (Fifth Disease), etc. and know what symptoms to watch for. Wash linens, dishes, toys, and other items that have been handled by someone who is sick with hot soapy water,” said Dr. Merriman.

1. Avoid these foods during pregnancy to help reduce your risk of infection

• Unpasteurized milk or food products
• Raw meat or seafood, ideally cook meat until it is well done
• Unwashed fruit or vegetables
• Soft cheese – make sure the label says pasteurized
• Hot dogs or deli meats – heat to steaming right before eating
• Drinking water found in streams outdoors

Food and water can be contaminated with viruses such as listeria or salmonella or parasites that lead to toxoplasmosis.

If you have a cat that goes outdoors, have someone else scoop the litter box or wear gloves and wash hands afterwards.

For more information about prenatal care or to find a provider visit the pregnancy and baby page at intermountainhealth.org.