MRSA During Pregnancy

There was a time when a pregnant woman would only need to worry about MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) if she was hospitalized. MRSA has escaped institutions like prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, day care, and other places where it was commonly found in the past and is now found in the community. Some pregnant women who have a lowered immune system from the strain of pregnancy, a medical issue, a health issue, etc. and may be more susceptible to being infected with MRSA.

Preventing infection during pregnancy

Many people, including pregnant woman, carry the MRSA bacteria. Due to the dangers the MRSA treatment process can cause to the unborn baby, a woman who is a carrier is not normally treated to prevent infection. Building a strong immune system is the best way to prevent a MRSA infection while pregnant. Be sure to get adequate rest, take doctor recommended supplements, eat healthy, reduce stress, etc. to maintain a strong immune system. Cleaning all abrasions, wounds, and pricks properly will help prevent MRSA from entering your system. Avoid contact with the bacteria by using protective covering if in contact with someone who has this infection. Wash thoroughly after coming in contact with items that may have the bacteria on it like workout equipment in a public area, hospital furniture, etc.

MRSA infection during pregnancy

A MRSA infection during pregnancy, when caught early, can be treated easily with topical antibiotics. This will prevent the infection being passed on to the baby during the birthing process. Antibiotics that are known safe and have minimal risks to the unborn baby are the ones that are used first to treat a pregnant woman for MRSA. For more severe cases of the infection, the risks of non-treatment to the mother and baby are weighed against the risks of treatment with antibiotics that may cause harm to the baby. Careful management by a health care professional who has experience with MRSA infections during pregnancy is important. If there is no one available locally, see if there is someone who will be willing to be a consultant to your health care professional.

Effects on unborn babies

Though there is limited information, there does not seem to be a substantial risk of harm to the baby when the mother is infected with MRSA. There hasn't been any known risk of miscarriage due to the infection of the women while pregnant. The antibiotics used to treat the infection will have their own risks and affects on the unborn baby of a woman who is being treated for MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) while pregnant. Allergies to a prescribed antibiotic to treat this infection can also have an affect on the unborn baby. The affect will depend on the type and severity of the reaction. The highest risk to the baby is contracting the infection from the mother is during the birth process. Keep in mind the baby is at risk of becoming infected due to being in a hospital where MRSA may be contracted more often than in the community or from a mother infected with MRSA.

Becoming infected during pregnancy may complicate the treatment, but MRSA treatment can still be received. It is best to take preventive measures to avoid being infected with MRSA.

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