Common Respiratory Illnesses: Protecting Yourself & Newborn Starts Before Birth–Here’s How

When it comes to pregnancy, there are many dos and don’ts. Read our guide on how to protect your baby and yourself from serious illnesses, even before they’re born.

Mamas, if you’re pregnant (or thinking about it!), chances are you’ve already been swimming in advice–whether it’s about which stroller to get, which supplements to take or how many pillows your baby will need in their cot. But one thing that often gets lost in the noise is prenatal vaccines. And trust us, we’ve been there too: Why is my doctor asking me to get them? Are they safe? Read on to ease your mind and find out how to protect you and your baby before your little bub even arrives.

Why are pregnant women more at risk?

As your body focuses on growing your baby during pregnancy, your immune system naturally shifts gears. These changes in immunity and hormones can make you more susceptible to infections¹.

One of the most common illnesses pregnant mothers are vulnerable to is influenza. In Singapore, an estimated 1,500 to 3,500 people² experience influenza-like illness every week. Influenza spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or close contact with someone who’s infected. It typically causes fever, chills, body aches and fatigue.

While most people recover within one to two weeks, pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy, are more likely to develop severe illness.² Although often mild, it can sometimes lead to more serious complications, including hospitalisation, long-term disability and even death³.

Does my newborn need protection too?

Some infections during pregnancy can be passed to your baby through the placenta or during birth. When that happens, your little one may face health complications. Because newborns have not had time to develop their immune system, they are at higher risk for developing infections from both bacteria and viruses because their blood-brain barrier (the one that protects against infections from entering the brain!) has not yet fully developed⁴.

Newborns are also at the highest risk of severe complications of Whooping Cough (Pertussis)³. This highly contagious bacterial infection can be life-threatening for newborns. It affects your baby’s lungs and airways, causing violent coughing fits and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, this can lead to serious complications³ such as pneumonia, breathing pauses and, in some cases, life-threatening illness.

Another common illness is the RSV. According to SingHealth, RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus³, is the leading cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in babies under one year old³, making it difficult for them to breathe and feed, often leading to hospitalisation. In fact, babies under six months account for around 75% to 80% of RSV-related hospital stays. In severe cases, the infection can even be life-threatening.

How can I protect myself and my baby during pregnancy?

There are plenty of simple ways to protect yourself from getting sick during pregnancy. Start with the basics, such as washing your hands regularly¹ with soap and water, especially after preparing raw meat or veggies, or after playtime with little ones. It’s also a good idea to avoid sharing utensils, cups or food¹ (yes, even if someone insists “just one bite!”).

Anyone who comes into close contact with a newborn should also wash their hands first, and it helps to remove any jewelry on their hands! As tempting as it is to kiss those chubby cheeks, visitors should avoid kissing the baby or getting too close, since our mouths carry plenty of germs⁴. You can also have visitors wear masks to reduce the spread of viruses.

Most importantly, mums should keep their prenatal vaccinations up to date¹ so you and your baby stay protected from the inside out. Getting vaccinated during pregnancy means your body will create protective antibodies that will be passed down to your baby across the placenta or through breastmilk⁵. Plus, babies can’t receive most vaccines right away, so these antibodies become their first layer of protection during the crucial early months³!

It is also important to keep in mind that every pregnancy is different. So the best way to plan your vaccinations is to ask your OBGYN, who will walk you through each vaccine, when you should get them, what to expect and more.