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Other Treatments for Infection in Pregnancy

Depending on the infection you have, treating an infection may prevent it from being passed on to your newborn.

Monitoring

For some infections, especially viral infections like CMV and parvovirus B19 (fifth disease), no medication exists to treat the infection. In these cases, your doctor may want to see you more often to monitor you and your developing baby. If your developing baby appears to be ill, there are special diagnostic and treatment options available. Your healthcare provider will discuss these options with you and their potential benefits and risks.

Cesarean Section

Some infections, like herpes and HIV, can spread to your baby during a vaginal delivery. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a cesarean section instead of a vaginal delivery. It may reduce the chances of transmitting the infection to your newborn.

References:

Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: . Updated May 2005. Accessed October 23, 2012.

Chorioamnionitis. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: . Accessed October 23, 2012.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: . Updated July 28, 2010. Accessed October 23, 2012.

Group B Strep (GBS). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: . Updated May 23, 2012. Accessed October 23, 2012.

Listeria and pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: . Updated June 2011. Accessed October 23, 2012.

Pregnancy and fifth disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: . Updated February 14, 2011. Accessed October 23, 2012.

STDs and pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: . Updated September 14, 2012. Accessed October 23, 2012.

Toxoplasmosis. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: . Updated January 2011. Accessed October 23, 2012.

Urinary tract infection during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: . Updated April 2006. Accessed October 23, 2012.

Varicella. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: . Updated August 21, 2012. Accessed October 4, 2012.

Last reviewed October 2012 by Andrea Chisholm

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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