Vaccinations and STDsA good step when preparing for pregnancy is to consult with your physician
for a general physical exam. For starters, make sure you mention any existing
conditions that you may have. At the same time, you may not be aware that you
are vulnerable to certain infections that could be passed on to your baby. For
instance, it is important to know whether you are immune to both the Rubella
virus (commonly called German Measles) and Chicken Pox. An infection by either
Rubella or Chicken Pox during pregnancy can cause birth defects. To find out if
you or your child is at risk for developing these diseases, your doctor can
perform a simple test. If you are not immune to either of the infections,
discuss being vaccinated by your doctor to gain the necessary antibodies to
protect you.
You should also be tested for the presence of hepatitis B.
Pregnant women who have hepatitis B should consider entering a vaccination
program to protect their baby against infection.
You may also be unaware
whether you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that could affect your
pregnancy and baby, such as genital herpes. Most of the information you need
about your current immune status and whether or not you have any STDs can be
determined by your physician through simple blood tests. Consult your doctor
about these conditions and other possible concerns that should be addressed for
a healthy pregnancy. If you have genital herpes, you should discuss the option
of a Caesarean birth with your physician to reduce the risk of infecting your
baby. It is advised that you be tested for all sexually transmitted diseases
prior to becoming pregnant.
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