Pregnancy – one of the most important and happiest periods in the life of every woman. The favorable course of the pregnancy period is of key importance for the health and development of the unborn baby. Therefore, every woman should know what a competent preparation for pregnancy.
Exclusively for estet-portal.com doctor of the highest category, obstetrician-gynecologist, leading expert on gynecology in the TV projects "For the Life", "I Shame My Body", "Let's Talk About Sex" Lyudmila Shupenyuk answered the most pressing questions regarding preparation for pregnancy.
- Planning pregnancy: which specialists to visit
- What infections can lead to fetal malformations
- How to prevent TORCH infections
- How to prevent infection with cytomegalovirus infection
- How to prevent infection with cytomegalovirus infection
Pregnancy planning: which specialists you need to visit
L.Sh.: First of all, a woman who is planning a pregnancy should visit a gynecologist. Most of the problems and questions that arise during pregnancy relate specifically to gynecology.
It is necessary to carry out a routine gynecological examination, during which smears are taken for the flora and a cytological examination, the condition of the cervix is \u200b\u200bassessed. If there is a need – an ultrasound is done.
A visit to a gynecologist makes it possible to detect a gynecological problem in time, such as cervical dysplasia or polyps, and eliminate it before pregnancy.
For a woman who is planning a pregnancy, I would also recommend visiting a dentist. If a woman has any dental problems and there is a need for sanitation – it is better to do it before pregnancy.
For example, there are situations when flux is found in pregnant women. And this means that she needs to undergo X-ray examination, anesthesia, etc. Of course, this is undesirable during pregnancy.
In preparation for pregnancy, every woman should visit a gynecologist and dentist.
If a woman planning a pregnancy is registered with a doctor for any medical condition, she should also consult a appropriate specialist.
What infections can lead to fetal malformations
L.Sh.: In most cases, fetal malformations are the result of exposure to an infectious agent in the early stages of pregnancy. Then any infection can cause them: from the banal flu to cytomegalovirus infection and syphilis.
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There are a number of infections that are not safe during pregnancy – so-called TORCH infections. They pose a particular threat if a woman first became infected while already pregnant.
TORCH infection: T – toxoplasmosis, O – other infections, R – rubella, С – cytomegalovirus infection, H – herpetic infection.
The most dangerous infection for the fetus is cytomegalovirus. It carries a potential threat even when reinfected, that is, when a woman has already had this infection at one time and has a certain immunity.
Cytomegalovirus can cause serious changes in the nervous system of the fetus.
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L.Sh.: If a woman has been ill in her life or is vaccinated against these infections, then the presence of specific antibodies will be determined in the analysis for TORCH.
Against the background of immunity, secondary infection with infections does not pose such a big threat as in the case of primary infection.
Even if we are talking about primary infection, the gestational age when the infection occurred is of key importance here. The earlier the gestational age – the worse the prognosis.
If the infection occurred before 12 weeks – infection can lead to fetal death, and if at 8-12 weeks – to serious malformations of its development.
If a woman first became infected after 12 weeks of pregnancy, then the infection can cause changes in those fetal systems that continue to actively develop. As a rule, this is the central nervous system.
Infection before childbirth is very dangerous because it can lead to congenital infections in the baby. Sometimes they are quite hard to bear.
How to prevent TORCH infections
L.Sh.: If we are talking about rubella or herpes – a woman can get vaccinated.
If we are talking about toxoplasmosis or cytomegalovirus infection – no such vaccine exists.
Toxoplasmosis – it is a parasitic disease that can be contracted orally by eating raw meat, sushi, and caring for cats.
In the prevention of toxoplasmosis, personal hygiene is of key importance. During pregnancy, it is not recommended to take a new animal into the house, as the same cat may already be infected.
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A pregnant woman should avoid raw meat and fish.
If a pregnant woman has a clinical picture of infection: fever, swollen lymph nodes, neurological disorders – she should be tested for the presence of class M immunoglobulins, which reflect the acute phase of infections.
The presence of infections can also be indicated by abnormalities in the development of the fetus, which have a specific ultrasound characteristic.
How to prevent infection with cytomegalovirus infection
L.Sh.: Cytomegalovirus infection is also known as the "disease of children's groups." Most people have been ill in childhood and are immune to it.
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However, cytomegalovirus infection is insidious in that it proceeds like a banal SARS.
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Therefore, any situation during pregnancy, manifested by a runny nose and other symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections, is an indication for testing for the determination of class M immunoglobulins to Cytomegalovirus.
Given that cytomegalovirus infection is transmitted by airborne droplets, it is recommended that a pregnant woman should have as little contact as possible with possible carriers – i.e. children.
Is it necessary to get vaccinated against chickenpox
L.Sh.: It is believed that 90% of the population has had chickenpox in childhood. However, in my practice there were four women who first contracted chickenpox during pregnancy. And the infection proceeded quite hard. In two cases, this ended in fetal death, as the infection developed before 12 weeks of gestation. In the other two cases, healthy babies were born.
If we are talking about conscious pregnancy planning – yes, it makes sense to vaccinate against varicella.
This is especially true for older women. The fact is that between 40 and 50 years of life, the body's defenses to herpes infection weaken. And here the herpes virus infection understands the head: reinfection in the form of shingles can occur.
Therefore, for women over the age of 40 who are planning a pregnancy, it makes sense to check the strength of the immune system and, if it is low – get vaccinated.
Thank you for staying with estet-portal.com. Read other interesting articles in the "Interview" section. You may also be interested in: When to take a pregnancy test and how to choose one
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