How to Protect Yourself Against Infections During Pregnancy

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When you’re pregnant, everyone has advice to give. So much so, in fact, that while
their intentions may be good, if you were really honest with them about it, on a good day,
it can get to be a bit annoying, while on a bad one, it has the potential to make you a bit
paranoid; especially when it comes to discussions about your up-and-coming labor or
contracting some kind of illness or infection.

In both instances, remain calm. Being pregnant is a miraculous time that you should
enjoy, and even with all of the information that you are given, simply focus on the things
that will make your pregnancy the most pleasant and stress-less time for
you.

One of the ways that you can do that is to protect yourself. Here are five things that
you can do to guard yourself against the risk of contracting an infection during this very
special time.

Always wash your hands. This is something that we all should be
in the habit of doing, whether we’re pregnant or not. Unfortunately, we tend to overlook it
at times like when we’re eating out or preparing food. If you don’t always have soap and
water nearby, remember to purchase some portable antibacterial gels. You can even
make your own by combining half a cup of alcohol to two cups of Aloe Vera gel.

Don’t share your utensils. The older we get, the less a lot of us
tend to eat after other people unless they are our spouse or child. However, during the
time of your pregnancy, you are far more susceptible to contracting a virus than before,
so even when it comes to your own family members, try and always use your own
utensils and cups.

Make sure it’s “well done”. Before you got pregnant, you might
have preferred to eat your meat with a little pink on the inside. Until that baby is born,
though, that is something that will have to be placed on hold. Undercooked meat and
even under-processed meat has the potential of containing bacteria that can be harmful
for both you and your baby. So, make sure that steaks and chicken are thoroughly
cooked and when it comes to foods like deli meat, make the effort to reheat them until
they are piping hot.

Get tested. When it is first confirmed that you are pregnant,
customarily, your doctor will run a series of tests. But if you are a single mom and you’re
sexually active but not in a monogamous relationship, it’s a good idea to get tested for
STDs an additional time (or two) during the course of your pregnancy, just to be on the
safe side.

Stay away from people with infections/illness. This one can be a
bit tricky because there are some infections that tend to be asymptomatic, but for the
most part, if you keep a safe distance (i.e., don’t exchange bodily fluids) from people
other than your spouse and children, there is no big reason for concern. Yet when it
comes to people with chicken pox or even the flu, do not share their physical space until
they are better. You might also want to speak with your doctor about getting vaccinated
or having a flu shot for the sake of extra precaution. (For a list of vaccinations that are
recommended for pregnant moms, you can visit site options with a list of them by going to your favorite search
engine and putting in pregnant vaccinations for pregnant women.) If you’re hesitant
about vaccinations, be sure to discuss with your doctor or health practitioner any
potential risks or side effects that may come with having a vaccine. Rarely are there
any, but it’s good to know as much information as possible for the sake of you and your
child.