Lyme Disease Pregnancy

Lyme Disease Pregnancy

Lyme disease is caused by an infection that was carried by a tick. Usually the tick picked up the bacteria from a deer, or a mouse. Once the infected tick bites you, you become infected with what is known as Lyme disease. Some people have no idea they have it until the disease has ran havoc  on your body, and a side effect of the disease has given you a reason to find out why. Sometimes people find out right away when they find the tick at the site. Other times people get a bullseye rash somewhere on their body near where the tick bit, or can be anywhere on the body. The sooner the diagnosis the better. It’s very important to start treatment as soon as you know you have Lyme disease.

If you are pregnant when you are bit by the infected tick, it can be passed from mother to unborn child. Although it is very rare it has been documented to have happened. When passed to the fetus, it resulted in an infection to the placenta. An infection to the placenta then leads to a miscarriage of the unborn baby or birth of a stillborn. They don’t feel there is a strong connection to moms with lymes disease giving birth to babies with malformations, or any other birth defects.

Some times women are successful by taking antibiotics when they are pregnant to rid Lyme disease. The types of antibiotics that are safe during pregnancy is limited, so there is a slight chance that if you have Lyme disease while pregnant, you won’t be able to get the right antibiotic for treatment. It depends on the strain of Lyme, as well as how long you’ve had Lyme disease.

Even though a baby is born full-term and healthy, there is no known long term affects on the baby. Lyme disease can affect the mother neurologically as well as many other problems, but there is no evidence if the baby can be affected with similar issues. There has not been enough research yet, to determine if there is any concern about long term effects on the baby.

If you are pregnant and you were bitten by a tick, tell your Doctor immediately. It’s very important that you get the medical attention needed as soon as possible and try and treat the disease before it gets out of hand. Also earlier treatment may help in preventing the placenta to get the infection.

It is very important that pregnant women avoid getting bit by a tick as much as possible. They should avoid walking in high grass, wooded areas, etc. Pregnant women should wear long sleeves, or long pants to cover their skin as much as possible. There is bug spray that can be purchased that can also repel ticks and other insects. Make sure your animals are properly protected also, because they can bring the ticks into the home. Avoiding Lyme disease at all cost while you are pregnant is the best thing you can do for you and your unborn baby.