Pregnancy and Lyme: Symptoms, Prevention & Complications

Mar 14

The facts about Lyme disease and pregnancy are unclear, but potentially, if you have Lyme when you’re pregnant, it could harm your baby. The subject still needs more research, and often, you find conflicting information from medical professionals. So, if you want to know more about pregnancy and Lyme disease, look at this information below.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme is a tricky disease that can manifest as many different neurological and autoimmune conditions. Lyme symptoms can come and go, migrate around the body, and vary between sufferers. Lyme disease is hard to diagnose due to its mysterious symptoms and because testing isn't very reliable.

Some ticks carry the bacteria Borrelia Burgdorferi, which is responsible for Lyme disease. Infected ticks can pass it on to humans through a bite. Lyme disease occurs in two stages, early and advanced. The symptoms are different for both, and if left untreated early-stage Lyme will develop into chronic Lyme.

Symptoms of Early Stage Lyme Disease

Early-stage symptoms occur within 3 to 42 days after a bite from an infected tick and include:

A Distinctive Round Rash - However, this only happens in approximately 50 percent of cases.

Flu-Like Symptoms
Fever
Chills
Headache
Stiff Neck
Muscle Aches
Fatigue
Swollen Lymph Nodes

Symptoms of Chronic Lyme

If left untreated, Lyme will develop into chronic Lyme Disease, and symptoms include:

Chronic Pain

Chronic Fatigue
Migraines
Brain Fog
Facial Paralysis
Jaw Pain
Tingling and Numbness in Extremities
Irregular Sleep Patterns and Night Sweats
Hot Flushes
Swollen Glands
Stiff Neck
Depression
Anxiety

How Does Lyme Affect Pregnancy?

Pregnant women might be more susceptible to Lyme because a woman's immune system is often weaker during pregnancy. If a woman has or contracts Lyme during pregnancy, potentially it can pass through the placenta onto the unborn baby. It can be particularly risky if you contract it in the first trimester. If you have Lyme disease and you want to get pregnant, it’s better if you wait until you’re six months symptom-free.

There are not a lot of studies into the effects of Lyme on pregnancy, but there are many reports of stillbirths, miscarriages and babies born with physical abnormalities due to exposure to the disease. Lyme doesn't always harm unborn babies, in many cases, babies are completely unaffected. Overall, there needs to be a lot more research on the subject.

Potential complications of Lyme during pregnancy include:

Miscarriage or stillbirth

Heart defects
Neurological defects
Other physical defects and abnormalities

Can You Treat Lyme During Pregnancy?

The good news is that you can treat Lyme during pregnancy, so if you have symptoms, don't ignore them, always seek advice from a medical professional. The routine treatment for Lyme is with antibiotics, which are safe for pregnant women. It’s better to treat Lyme early to reduce the chances of your baby being affected. If you have Lyme and want to get pregnant or contract it while you are pregnant, seek out an experienced physician who specializes in Lyme.

How Do You Prevent Lyme During Pregnancy?

If you’re pregnant, it's good to take precautions against contracting Lyme disease. Tick season is in the spring from March to May, and at the end of summer, from August to November. If you’re pregnant, avoid going into grassy, woody areas during these months. If you go for walks in the countryside, use insect repellent and keep your skin covered with loose clothing. Make sure you check your body for ticks after the walk. If you find any, remove them right away - you have less chance of an infection if you remove them immediately.

Conclusion

The dangers of contracting Lyme during pregnancy are unclear. There are some reports of Lyme causing deformities, stillbirths and death in newborn babies, but in many cases, babies are unaffected. To be safe, always protect yourself from ticks if you’re pregnant. If you have Lyme symptoms during pregnancy, don't wait around - go to a doctor right away. Your baby has a better chance if you treat Lyme with antibiotics in the early stages.