As the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 continues to spread, pregnant and breastfeeding women are understandably concerned. Many of your recent calls, chats, texts, and emails to MotherToBaby have been about the virus itself and how it might affect a developing baby or breastfed infant (more about that on our COVID-19 fact sheet). But we’re also hearing related concerns about how to stay safe and healthy while pregnant or breastfeeding during the pandemic. Here, we answer some of the most common …
The Baby Blog: Infections & Vaccines
Beyond the Status: What STDs Really Mean in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
By Brittany Ajoku, MotherToBaby North Texas Did you know that 1 of every 2 sexually active people will contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD) by age 25? That number is shocking, and highlights why it is so important to tackle this often-stigmatized topic head-on! So as we ease into National STD Awareness Month, it’s time to talk openly about STDs, pregnancy and breastfeeding. STDs can affect people from all walks of life, and do not discriminate against anyone, including pregnant and …
Birth Defects Prevention Month Series: Vaccination in Pregnancy-It Doesn’t Have to Be a Painful Decision
By Beth Conover, APRN, CGC MotherToBaby Nebraska, UNMC “I am 20 weeks pregnant…when is it safe to get my flu shot?” The texted question came in to the MotherToBaby texting helpline, and the answer that I texted back was simple – “As soon as possible…it’s safe at any time in pregnancy and really important for you and your baby!” Once we are into influenza (flu) season (November to March), pregnant women are strongly recommended to get immunized (vaccinated), regardless of how far along they are …
“Spread Prevention, Not the Infection” during Pregnancy
By MotherToBaby’s Kirstie Perrotta, MPH, Lorrie Harris-Sagaribay, MPH, Robert Felix and Susan Sherman of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) Zika Task Force ***This blog has been archived. For more up-to-date information, please visit: Zika Virus Fact Sheet Listeria Fact Sheet Toxoplasmosis Fact Sheet Syphilis Fact Sheet CMV Fact Sheet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “It’s 2018! I didn’t even know …
Special Birth Defects Prevention Month Blog! The Flu: Why Prevention is Key during Pregnancy
By MotherToBaby, a service of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) Why should pregnant women care about influenza? Isn’t Zika a bigger deal? The second you get pregnant, the advice starts coming in from everyone. No eating unpasteurized cheese (Listeria!), don’t change the cat litter (Toxoplasmosis!), and definitely don’t travel to South America (Zika!). While these are all valid concerns, influenza tends to get forgotten, and dismissed as “just the flu.” The Influenza …
