Will a cold affect the fetus when I am 5 months pregnant?
As pregnancy progresses, expectant mothers need to pay more attention to their health. However, even with our best efforts, sometimes we still get common illnesses like colds. Will catching a cold during the 5th month of pregnancy affect the fetus? The following will elaborate on several aspects.
Impact 1: Impact on fetal growth and development
Illnesses such as influenza and colds can easily cause symptoms such as fever in expectant mothers. High temperatures that last for a long time can easily cause uterine contractions in pregnant women, which may have an impact on the development of the fetus. In addition, loss of appetite may occur during a cold, which affects nutritional intake. As with all pregnant women, expectant mothers need to pay special attention to their diet and insist on supplementing with a variety of nutrients.
Impact 2: Impact on the fetal immune system
If a pregnant woman\’s body\’s immune system is not treated in time, the symptoms of infection will be exacerbated, which is likely to affect the health of the fetus. Infection usually produces excessive responses of many inflammatory factors, white blood cells and other cells. These reactions will enter the fetal blood through the maternal-fetal blood barrier, leading to over-activation or over-suppression of the fetal immune system, which may cause abnormal development of the neonatal immune system. Reduce its ability to rely on the body\’s external environment and increase its risk of future infections.
Impact 3: Effects of drug treatment on the fetus
For pregnant women, the common cold is considered a minor health concern. However, the drug treatment is not that simple. The ingredients in many drugs often cross into the placenta and affect the health of the fetus. Therefore, except for a small amount of professional medicine, pregnant women should generally avoid taking medicine and use natural methods to slow down colds. Drug abuse may increase the risk of miscarriage, fetal malformations, etc. Pregnant women should consult their doctor and use medications as directed by their doctor to avoid unnecessary risks.
Impact 4: Reduce the impact of infection on the fetus
Like other cells, the fetus needs adequate oxygen and nutrients to grow. For both the northern and southern hemispheres, most seasons are excessively dry or spring is always the cold season. Expectant mothers can avoid being in close quarters and staying indoors for long periods of time as much as possible, go to public places more, and do more outdoor activities, especially exercise for two or three times, to increase their resistance. Eat a light diet, eat more protein and light foods, and prepare an appropriate amount of vitamin C supplements to enhance the immune system of the body, including the fetus.
Conclusion
In short, diseases such as colds and flu have a great impact on both pregnant women and fetuses during pregnancy. Therefore, in the case of a cold attack, expectant mothers need to follow the doctor\’s advice to use medications or take natural treatments to slow down its development. At the same time, pregnant women must maintain a balanced and healthy diet and living habits to enhance their physical fitness and immunity and prevent the occurrence of colds and other common diseases.
