MRSA risks during pregnancy vary depending on the case. Pregnant women with healthy immune systems have minimal risk, but active infections can be concerning. Antibiotics used to treat MRSA can also endanger the pregnancy. Closely monitored patients with adequate prenatal care can carry low risks. Patients should discuss options with their doctors and may need to take MRSA precautions during childbirth.
The risks associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) during pregnancy vary depending on the specifics of the case. In some cases, the risks may be very low, while in others, there are some concerns about the safety of the mother and the developing fetus. Patients diagnosed with MRSA during pregnancy should discuss the diagnosis and its implications with their doctors and may wish to see an obstetrician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies to see if there are any particular concerns.
Many people are carriers of MRSA, but have no active infections. In people with healthy immune systems, the bacterium poses minimal risk, and the same is true for pregnant women. However, if a woman’s immune system is not healthy and she develops an active MRSA infection, it can be cause for concern. There is also a risk of passing MRSA to the newborn during delivery, in which case the baby will need special care soon after birth.
Another concern with MRSA during pregnancy is the antibiotics used to treat it. The mother could have a negative reaction to the antibiotics, which could endanger the pregnancy, and the risks associated with some antibiotics during pregnancy are not known. Doctors will start with medications known to be safe for developing fetuses and closely monitor the mother throughout the course of treatment, in the hope that the MRSA will respond to these medications and not require additional treatment.
MRSA during pregnancy can often carry very low risks, especially for patients who are closely monitored and receive adequate prenatal care. Women may be monitored for signs of spreading or developing infections, and the health of the fetus may be monitored with ultrasound and other techniques. People diagnosed with MRSA during pregnancy may also need to take MRSA precautions during childbirth, to avoid spreading the bacterium to other occupants of a hospital or birthing center. Extra care can be taken during delivery, and the baby will be tested for MRSA to see if treatment is needed.
Every pregnancy, body and patient is slightly different from the next. A doctor can thoroughly evaluate a patient and consider her medical history and current level of health to identify the risks of MRSA during pregnancy in specific cases. Patients concerned about the risks can discuss options for managing MRSA, as well as safety during labor and delivery for the newborn and caregivers in the delivery area. Patients may find it helpful to work with an obstetrician who has experience delivering babies to mothers diagnosed with MRSA.
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