A mother hen is jealous and carefully guides her chicks. An expecting mother is no different. Before the child is born, a woman’s love for her unborn child begins to grow, and after the child is born, the love is limitless. Imagine how sad a new mother would be if she discovered she had passed a disease to her newborn, such as HIV, HPV, or syphilis. This transmission is known as woman-to-Child Transmission (MTCT), which occurs when certain diseases pass from a woman to her child. It is a major issue that can endanger the health of babies. In this article, we will discuss ways to keep both mothers and their newborns healthy.
How To Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission
Pre-pregnancy
Both spouses must go through a number of tests in order to detect any infections early on during the pre-pregnancy phase. Nevertheless, if one or both partners are already infected with HIV or syphilis, for example, the infected partner(s) must have appropriate treatment to manage the infection and lower the viral or bacterial load, respectively, which lowers the chance of transmission.
Regarding HPV, there’s no known cure. Therefore, to stop further transmission, immunization against specific strains may still be helpful for the spouse who is uninfected. Furthermore, immediate treatment of any associated problems, such as genital warts or abnormal cell changes, along with routine checks can further help in managing the infection.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care emphasizes the necessity of regular checks. This is done to ensure early detection of the infection in the child and good maternal health. However, if an infection is diagnosed in the child during pregnancy, doctors have to assess the situation.
In some situations, drugs can be given directly to the child while it is still in the womb. This could include treatments for illnesses such as HIV, in which the fetus is given antiretroviral medicines to limit the chance of transmission during delivery.
Treatments for Infected Mothers
Infected moms receive effective treatments to lower the risk of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT). Antiretroviral medication (ART) is the primary treatment for HIV-positive moms. When these treatments are provided, they reduce the viral load in the mother’s body, dramatically lowering the risk of transmission to the infant throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Then syphilis is treated with an antibiotic, such as penicillin.
Delivery and Postpartum
It is preferable to deliver via cesarean section. Then children born to infected moms should receive infant prophylaxis, which is the delivery of medication to reduce MTCT. Also, monthly examinations of the newborn should be carried out to detect any infection at an early stage.
As an Infected Mother, Why Should You Choose Cesarean Section Delivery Over Vaginal Delivery?
A cesarean section is indicated to limit the baby’s exposure to the mother’s body fluids, which may contain the virus. However, this decision is dependent on a number of circumstances, including the mother’s viral load and overall health.
While Cesarean sections, like any surgical surgery, have risks, the advantages of lowering MTCT frequently outweigh the risks.
Conclusion
Adopting measures to prevent disease transmission from mother to child is effective. Pregnant women should schedule regular doctor visits and discuss any concerns they may have. Following these practices can only lead to improved maternal health and reduced Mother-to-Child Transmission.
Nice information, keep excelling.