Pregnancy is a time to be careful about a mother’s health as her illness can affect the child. Apart from other aspects of health, expecting mothers must be mindful about maintaining their sexual and reproductive health – Dr Amita Shah from Miracles Mediclinic & Apollo Cradle Hospital, Gurugram says that 20 per cent city women suffer during pregnancy due to poor sexual and reproductive hygiene.
“If a pregnant woman is not maintaining maximum sexual and reproductive hygiene, she may contract bacterial and viral infections, including sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs). The common problems she may develop include bacterial vaginosis, vaginitis, infection of the uterus, urinary tract, or sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Fungal and bacterial vaginitis are more common than others and affect about 10 percent pregnant women. It is surprising to see that even educated women in Gurgaon are not aware of the importance of sexual and reproductive hygiene during pregnancy and that it can impact the baby. An infection in the mother can cause preterm delivery and complications related to premature babies. It can also cause more serious complications such as ascending infection to the baby which can lead to miscarriage and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) of the baby which can make them more susceptible to hypoxic brain injury and chronic lung disease, among others,” says Dr Amita Shah, Medical Director and Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Miracles Mediclinic & Apollo Cradle Hospital, Gurugram.
· The common problems include bacterial vaginosis, vaginitis, infection of the uterus, urinary tract, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
· Maternal infection can cause preterm delivery, ascending infection to the baby which can lead to miscarriage, and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).
· Ascending infection of the uterus and foetal membranes (chorioamnionitis) are some of the reasons of preterm delivery between 20 and 30 weeks.
· Pregnant women must wash their private parts with plain water and occasionally with soap, and avoid fancy hygiene products.
Bacterial vaginosis can lead to vaginitis that is deemed the most common vaginal infection among women aged 15 to 44 years and may cause significant discomfort due to itching and a grey, watery discharge with a smell. If the bacteria from the vagina or the cervix travel to the uterus, it can reach fallopian tubes or ovaries and cause infections there too. “Ascending infection of the uterus and foetal membranes (chorioamnionitis) as well as aspiration pneumonia of the foetus are some of the reasons of preterm delivery in the mid or late stage, between 20 and 30 weeks.[1] Such outcomes are caused by Group B Streptococcus or mycoplasma, chlamydia, or candida. We advise women eating a balanced diet high in fibre and low in fat; drink plenty of water; exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes every day and maintain a healthy weight; get enough sleep; avoid using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs; and manage stress in healthy ways irrespective of whether they are pregnant at that time. They must also wash their private parts with plain water and occasionally .
About Miracles Mediclinic – Recognized as one of the best medical clinics in Gurgaon, Miracles Mediclinic, is dedicated to provide best personalised health care tailored to individual patient needs complete range of world-class healthcare services including Specialist Consultations (best Gynaecologists, ENT, Cardiologists etc.), Diagnostics, MRI / CT, Preventive Health checks, Dental clinic, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and best doctors from various medical fields – all under one-roof. Miracles Mediclinic is committed to providing consistently superior quality health care services to address the day-to-day health care needs of the family to maximize convenience and comfort. It has state of the art infrastructure with regard to obstetrics, gynaecology and neonatology. Miracles Mediclinic is currently operating in 2 locations in Gurgaon at Sector 14 & Sector 55-56.
