Illness in pregnancy – the most common conditions of pregnant women

Illness during pregnancy is an additional burden on the expectant mother. Viral and bacterial infections are commonly dangerous, but so are systemic diseases like diabetes, obesity or immune-mediated diseases. Particular risks are associated with toxoplasmosis, rubella or bacterial vaginitis.

Types of diseases in pregnancy

During pregnancy, many hormonal and metabolic changes take place in a woman’s body. Autoimmune diseases and pregnancy are not mutually exclusive. Women suffering from immune system disorders should have no problem getting pregnant. However, pregnant women diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, for example, must be under constant observation by a gynecologist and endocrinologist. Infectious diseases during pregnancy, such as sexually transmitted chlamydia, can cause severe infections in the pelvic area. It is one of the most dangerous intracellular bacteria that can contribute to ectopic pregnancy and even miscarriage. The penetration of chlamydia into the pregnant woman’s body affects the stimulation of the immune system, which recognizes the fetus as foreign and rejects it, hence the miscarriages.

Diseases of the fetus during pregnancy are most often genetic, meaning that they are passed from generation to generation. Perhaps the most well-known genetic diseases are Down syndrome (associated with trisomy of one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes) and Edwards syndrome (trisomy of the 18th pair of chromosomes), with the latter usually resulting in death by the age of 5 years out of wedlock.

Pregnancy diseases that occur with high frequency are gestational cholestasis. They can develop in the last trimester of pregnancy. If treated properly, the risk of side effects is low. If left untreated, gestational cholestasis can cause hemorrhage during labor and endanger the life of the child being born.

Zoonotic diseases in pregnancy

Zoonotic diseases in pregnancy are mainly associated with toxoplasmosis. The disease is caused by parasites residing in raw muscle, unwashed fruits and vegetables and cat feces. Toxoplasmosis is classified as a dangerous disease, with pregnancy symptoms either passing mildly or not manifesting at all. The infection, which first occurred in the first trimester of pregnancy, gives the greatest risk of fetal development delays due to disruption of the physiological process of brain formation. 

Rubella and CMV in pregnancy

Diseases of pregnant women are also transmitted by viruses. Among these dangerous diseases in pregnancy is rubella. It is mainly associated with the preschool period, and its symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes and a small rash. There are rubella vaccinations given to girls at puberty. It is rare that any woman has not undergone this disease in childhood. A pregnant woman who has not undergone rubella or been vaccinated must get vaccinated as soon as possible. Rubella virus infection during the first trimester of pregnancy causes serious birth defects associated with heart defects, skeletal defects, vascular disease, deafness and mental underdevelopment.

Another dangerous virus in pregnancy is cytomegalovirus (CMV), which belongs to the herpes viruses. The route of herpes infection is urine, blood or saliva of the affected person. According to statistics, most infections occur during early childhood. When a mother-to-be becomes infected with CMV, she usually gives birth to a healthy baby who, over time, develops problems with hearing, learning to read or psychomotor skills. Prevention is based on adherence to hygiene: washing hands and food products.

Stem cell collection from cord blood can be done only once in a lifetime during childbirth. However, in the case of serious diseases of the fetus or mother, the decision on this procedure must be made by the attending physician. 

See also: Cough during pregnancy – is it dangerous for the baby?