Raising a new life in the womb is a very special and delicate experience. During this time, the mother-to-be tries her best to protect her unborn child from every external threat; Yet, did you know that a small mosquito—which is often overlooked—can pose a major threat to this protective shield? Dr. Madhulika Sinha, Senior Consultant and Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Aakash Healthcare, emphasizes that during pregnancy, malaria should never be dismissed as just a common fever. But, why does malaria become so dangerous during this critical period? Let us understand it in simple words.
Weak immunity and increased risk of malaria
During pregnancy, a woman’s body’s ability to fight diseases naturally decreases slightly. This is the reason why malaria infection can affect the body more quickly during pregnancy than during normal days, which proves to be more dangerous for the expectant mother.
What effect does it have on the unborn child?
This disease not only harms the health of the expectant mother; Rather, it also has a direct and adverse impact on the development of the unborn child. According to Dr. Sinha, malaria can cause many serious complications during pregnancy:
Premature delivery (baby being born before full term).
The weight of the newborn baby is much less than normal.
In severe cases, increased risk of miscarriage.
Recognize these symptoms and take immediate action
Pregnant women should never take any physical symptoms lightly. If you experience any of the following problems, consult your doctor immediately:
Sudden high fever.
Feeling cold or shivering.
Pain all over the body.
Important measures to keep mosquitoes away
The most effective way to protect yourself from this dangerous disease is to keep mosquitoes away. For this you can include some easy steps in your daily routine:
Use mosquito net regularly while sleeping. Maintain complete cleanliness both inside and outside your house.
Do not allow water to accumulate in pots, coolers or pits around your house, because mosquitoes breed in such stagnant water.
It is most important to get timely treatment
Doctors emphasize that instead of being afraid of this disease, we need to remain alert. If these symptoms are identified in time and medical examination and treatment is started immediately, then both the mother and the baby in her womb can be kept safe.
