Wintertime is cold and flu season. People everywhere are sniffling and coughing, and viruses (including coronaviruses) and bacteria are spreading everywhere. Not an easy situation for pregnant women and their unborn children - especially as the mother's immune system is virtually on pause during pregnancy. How can she still protect herself from infections?
Why does an expectant mother's immune system take a break during pregnancy?
The unborn child not only carries genetic traits from the mother, but also from the father. However, these paternal components in the child's cells are foreign to the mother's immune system - which is why it could react to them with a defence. This in turn can jeopardise mother and child. To prevent this from happening and to allow the baby to develop undisturbed in utero, the mother's immune system significantly reduces its strength for the duration of the pregnancy. On the one hand, of course, this is another great way for the female body to adapt, but on the other hand, it makes it easier for the pregnant woman to catch an infection.
How can a pregnant woman still protect herself from infection?
What applies to handling a newborn baby also applies to the mother during pregnancy:
Regular and thorough hand washing is the be-all and end-all! This simple measure offers excellent protection against infection. Here you can read how to wash your hands properly and when it is particularly important.
Beware of pathogens from your own child! Mothers who already have a small child to care for during their pregnancy should realise this: This child can also be a carrier of infectious agents. These are mainly transmitted via saliva. It is therefore smart not to share any food, cutlery or crockery with your son or daughter during the new pregnancy. So don't suck off a spoon while feeding and don't put a child's dummy that has fallen into your own mouth.
If in doubt, wear a mask again! Of course, pregnant women also go to work, have to do the shopping or want to meet up with friends. And they should! Nevertheless, it is important to take good care to protect yourself against infection on these and other occasions during pregnancy. As you know, not everyone with a cold sneezes into the crook of their arm in the supermarket or on public transport to protect others from infection. No, unfortunately people often cough or cough freely. And the nasty droplets are already whizzing happily towards you. That's why I advise pregnant women to wear a protective mask again, especially in winter, as in times of coronavirus, and to avoid contact with people who have a cold or are infected as much as possible. Some women are also wearing gloves again when shopping, which is also not a bad idea.
Make sure you eat a balanced, nutritious diet! It promotes the health of the expectant mother and the development of the unborn child. I have summarised for you what sensible nutrition means during pregnancy here compiled. There you can also read which foods you should avoid. And don't forget: Always drink enough!
And a few more tips on Hygiene in the household and especially in the kitchen:
- Always wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly to remove possible pathogens.
- Clean work surfaces and cooking utensils carefully, especially after handling raw food.
- Carefully observe the cold chain when storing food so that bacteria and the like cannot thrive.
Lots of light, fresh air and rest will strengthen you! Both are also good for you during pregnancy. A walk in the daylight not only gives your body healthy exercise, but can also produce more vitamin D, which reduces your susceptibility to infections.
However, there is not only plenty of fresh air outside your front door, but hopefully also in your home - namely through regular cross-ventilation. This keeps the air in the room moist. Dry heating air, on the other hand, dries out your mucous membranes, which in turn makes you more susceptible to infections.
It is equally important that you avoid stress as much as possible during pregnancy. This is also a gateway to respiratory infections in particular. So relax every now and then and make sure you get enough sleep. However, because sleeping can become more difficult as your pregnancy progresses, I have put together some tips for you. here has compiled many tips on this.
And what about immunisation?
Let's reiterate the purpose of vaccines: they are designed to train the immune system, so they act as a kind of coach. Let's take the flu vaccine as an example, which acts as a so-called Inactivated vaccine is administered. The serum contains killed components of viruses or bacteria against which the human body forms antibodies after vaccination. This means that the body is prepared if an infection does occur. However, this usually takes a mild course.
And there is another positive effect of vaccinations: The antibodies produced transfer protection against infection from the mother to the child - during pregnancy via the placenta and after birth through breast milk. This means that your baby receives quasi-automatic protection in the first few months of life, which is also Nest protection is called.
There are also mRNA vaccinesagainst the coronavirus, for example. These serums contain components of a pathogen and cause the body's own cells to produce certain components of the villain themselves. This provides the mother's immune system with "visual examples" and teaches it how to defend itself against these intruders.
During pregnancy, vaccinations with Live vaccine should be avoided as far as possible.
Pregnant women can be vaccinated against influenza and coronavirus, as well as against whooping cough and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at the end of pregnancy. Many gynaecologists also recommend the latter two vaccinations because infection with these two pathogens can pose a health risk to newborn babies. It is best to discuss your personal vaccination schedule during pregnancy with your gynaecologist.
Here you can find more information on the subject of "Vaccination during pregnancy" on my blog.
