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For pregnant women, getting ahead can be a lifesaver. Hepatitis may be a stealth disease, but your reaction doesn’t have to be
When detected early, however, hepatitis B and C can be managed effectively, and most importantly, steps can be taken to protect your baby
Hepatitis may not be the first thing on your mind during pregnancy, but it should be on the checklist. For many women, it remains an invisible threat, often undiagnosed until it’s too late. When detected early, however, hepatitis B and C can be managed effectively, and most importantly, steps can be taken to protect your baby.
If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, Dr Pankhuri Gautam, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynecology Cocoon Hospital, Jaipur shares six essential things to know about hepatitis and how it can impact your pregnancy:
1. Hepatitis B and C Can Be Passed to Your Baby at Birth
One of the most serious risks of hepatitis in pregnancy is mother-to-child transmission, especially in the case of hepatitis B. Without preventive steps, the baby may be born with chronic infection something that can quietly damage their liver over time.
What helps: A simple blood test during routine antenatal check-ups can screen for both hepatitis B and C. If positive, the care team can take protective measures before and after delivery.
2. Testing Is Now Part of Antenatal Care But Still Missed in Some Cases
In India, hepatitis screening is part of the national antenatal care protocol. But in reality, especially in private hospitals or clinics, it’s not always done unless requested.
What helps: Don’t hesitate to ask if hepatitis screening is part of your bloodwork. It’s a routine test that takes very little time but could make a huge difference.
3. The First 24 Hours After Birth Are Key to Prevention
If a mother is hepatitis B positive, the baby should receive the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine along with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) within 24 hours. This combined approach can prevent transmission in nearly all cases.
What helps: Let your hospital team know your hepatitis status in advance so that preventive treatment can be arranged at delivery.
4. Hepatitis C Is Treatable But Therapy Typically Begins Postpartum
Hepatitis C has no vaccine, but it can be treated and cured using oral antivirals. Yet these drugs are not usually recommended when a woman is pregnant.
What works: If you have hepatitis C, your physician will keep you closely under surveillance and start you on therapy after delivery.
5. Pre-Existing Hepatitis Requires Additional Monitoring During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can sometimes worsen existing hepatitis infections. Liver function may need to be tracked more closely if you’re a known carrier of hepatitis B or C.
What helps: Keep your obstetrician informed of your hepatitis status so that regular liver tests and specialist referrals can be built into your care plan.
6. It’s Safe to Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine During Pregnancy
If you weren’t vaccinated as a child, it’s not too late. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe throughout pregnancy and comes in a three-dose series.
What works: Ask your physician about receiving the vaccine or completing the vaccine. It’s an active move with long-term protection for both you and your baby.
For pregnant women, getting ahead can be a lifesaver. Hepatitis may be a stealth disease, but your reaction doesn’t have to be. Testing, vaccination, and advance planning are easy but effective measures because protecting your baby’s health begins with protecting your own.
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
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