Pregnant women are at higher risk of developing pneumonia and respiratory problems due to changes in the immune system and respiratory tract. Pneumonia can lead to premature labor, low birth weight, and respiratory failure. Treatment is necessary to prevent complications, and pregnant women should take precautions to avoid respiratory infections.
Pneumonia in pregnancy is associated with a number of risks for mother and child, including premature labor and the risk of respiratory failure. Pregnant women tend to be at higher risk of developing pneumonia and other respiratory problems and are monitored closely so treatment can be provided quickly, to prevent complications. Women who develop pneumonia during pregnancy need to be treated aggressively to reduce morbidity and mortality rates, and fortunately many drugs approved for the management of pneumonia are safe for use in pregnant women.
It is believed that pregnancy changes the immune system, creating a greater susceptibility to infections. Also, changes to the respiratory tract tend to occur during pregnancy. Women with existing respiratory problems such as asthma tend to worsen during pregnancy, and as mucus secretion increases, even mild respiratory infections can quickly turn into pneumonia. Women who begin wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing during pregnancy should see a doctor for an evaluation.
For the baby, the two main concerns of pneumonia in pregnancy are low birth weight and premature birth. Low birth weight can be associated with developmental problems. Premature labor carries a number of risks, and in women who develop pneumonia early in pregnancy, the disease can cause miscarriage. Treating pneumonia will greatly reduce these risks, as long as the medications used are safe for pregnant women. The sooner treatment is provided, the better the prognosis for mother and child.
Women who develop pneumonia in pregnancy are at increased risk of respiratory failure. If they experience this serious medical condition, it can put a strain on the heart and other organs, as well as requiring medical support such as mechanical ventilation. This increases the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality; women can develop secondary complications from pneumonia and could die if treatment is not effective.
By knowing the risks of pneumonia in pregnancy, pregnant women can take steps to protect themselves. It is advisable to avoid contact with people who have respiratory infections and to wash their hands thoroughly several times a day, in case a woman has picked up bacteria or viruses during her daily activities. Women who need to be hospitalized during pregnancy should be kept away from patients hospitalized for respiratory problems to minimize contact with infectious secretions, and people planning to visit the hospital to friends or family may wish to check with their obstetricians to see if it is safe.
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