Disclaimer
This blog post is not intended as professional medical advice and serves for general information purposes. It cannot replace a healthcare professional’s opinion, and your family physician, nurse practitioner, or specialist care provider always remains the most reliable source of information and advice. We recommend that everyone consult their primary care provider in case they are facing any pregnancy-related or health issues and concerns.
Introduction
As we all know, the pregnancy journey encompasses many changes, both exciting and challenging. One area that often raises concern is the risk of infections.
While most infections during pregnancy are mild and manageable, some can affect both the expecting mother and the fetus. Well-established guidelines are developed to screen, monitor, and treat infections early, based on large research data.
We at ExpectAid believe that knowing what to expect can help you feel confident and prepared throughout pregnancy. That is why we have prepared this informational content to empower you with knowledge throughout your journey.
Routine Tests
Prenatal care guidelines outline a standard set of tests to be performed at different stages of pregnancy, checking for infections among those without symptoms or previous history. Even if the patient feels completely healthy, some infections show no symptoms but may still require treatment.
Additional tests may be arranged by your healthcare professional anytime specific symptoms, history, or risk factors suggest an infection.
Early Pregnancy
The following tests are usually completed at the first prenatal visit, after the pregnancy has been confirmed through initial tests, typically between 8–12 weeks of gestation.
- Urine culture, screening for asymptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI).
- HIV
- Hepatitis B and C
- Syphilis
- Immunity against Rubella (German measles)
- Immunity against Varicella (chickenpox)
- HPV screening (previously PAP test), if it is due or specific symptoms are present
- Cervical/vaginal swabs for:
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea
- Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) – Change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria
- Yeast infection
Some testing may be repeated based on individual risk factors or symptoms.
Late Pregnancy
As the pregnancy nears its conclusion (around 35–37 weeks of gestation), Group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaginal/rectal swabs are performed to determine the need for antibiotics during labour to protect your baby.
Signs and Symptoms
While pregnancy doesn’t necessarily increase the risk of most infections, due to physiological changes, your body might respond differently. Here are some common signs to look out for and seek medical attention if you experience them, which may indicate a respiratory illness.
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI)
Colds, sinus infections, and mild respiratory viruses are common and often harmless, but symptoms can feel more intense during pregnancy. Look for:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Mild fever
- Fatigue
More severe symptoms, which may indicate lung infection and require medical attention, include:
- High fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Blood in sputum
- Change in sputum (increase in amount, change to green or yellow color)
- Symptoms lasting more than 10 days
Pregnant individuals have a higher risk of complications and may benefit from antiviral treatment.
In general, it is recommended to ask your healthcare professional about updating your vaccinations (such as the flu vaccine). When experiencing symptoms, consider maintaining adequate hydration, drinking plenty of water and fluids (such as tea, honey, and lemon juice), gargling salt water for a sore throat, rinsing your nose frequently with nasal saline, and maintaining low body temperature with sponging or medications, unless advised otherwise by your healthcare professional. You may also consider completing a rapid at-home COVID-19 test.
Remember to NOT take Advil or other NSAIDs for the management of body aches or fever. While Tylenol is generally the only safe medication to manage fever, it is recommended to seek professional medical advice before deciding to take any medications.
Conclusion
While most infections are mild and treatable during pregnancy, your professional care providers follow structured guidelines to help identify problems early, including screening tests on patients without any symptoms.
Staying up to date with your screening tests, practicing good hygiene, and promptly reporting symptoms allows you and your care provider to work together to keep both you and your baby healthy. In this post we have reviewed the routine tests in Ontario, as well as common symptoms which may indicate a respiratory illness.
In the next post, we will review symptoms related to other infections, such as UTI and gynecological infections. Stay tuned to keep up with our latest content, as we hope you will find them useful.
If you ever feel unsure about a fever, a new symptom, or a test result, never hesitate to reach out to your family doctor, OB-GYN, or midwife for proper advice.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this content. Have you ever had these screening tests done, or any other experience with infections during pregnancy? Please feel free to write to us in the comment section or on social media and share your concerns or any points that you feel like you need to be answered in our future content.
