When you’re expecting a baby, your body undergoes some serious changes, particularly when it comes to your immune system, which needs to work hard to keep both you and your unborn child healthy and well.
8 ways to support your immune system during pregnancy
1. Eat a balanced diet
2. Stay well hydrated
Hydration is so important for overall health. However, it’s even more important to keep on top of water intake throughout pregnancy, with studies showing that increased water consumption was able to decrease the odds of some birth defects, and one study in Indonesia involving 38 pregnant women showed that dehydration could result in decreased birth weight.
3. Consider taking supplements
4. Exercise regularly
5. Get plenty of quality sleep
Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating our immune system. Sleep, especially the deep phase known as slow wave sleep, can boost the body’s immune response, helping in the redistribution of important immune cells and boosting the production of certain immune-signalling substances.
6. Try to manage stress levels
7. Keep germs at bay
8. Stay up to date with vaccinations
What is immunity?
- Innate immunity – this is the defence system you’re born with and is your body’s first line of defence against germs entering the body. This includes external parts of your body like your skin and mucus membranes, which stop infections from settling in. It also includes more internal immune systems, like defence cells that may help you to develop a fever or swelling which is important for fighting off an infection.
- Adaptive Immunity – this type of immunity develops throughout life as the body is exposed to various pathogens. Incredibly, it learns and ‘remembers’ previous encounters with pathogens and will tackle them with increasingly efficient responses should you be exposed again. This includes antibodies, T-lymphocytes (T cells) and B-lymphocytes (B cells).
How does pregnancy impact your immune system?
- Immunity Suppression: During pregnancy, the immune system is somewhat suppressed to prevent it from attacking the developing foetus, which carries foreign antigens from the father. This isn’t a total shutdown, but more of a slowing down and rebalancing to help keep the baby safe and let the pregnancy run smoothly.
- Changes in Immune Cells: Pregnancy leads to a shift in the number and functions of a range of immune cells. For example, there’s an increase in regulatory T cells, which help maintain immune tolerance and prevent the immune system from attacking the foetus.
- Hormonal Influence: Hormones, particularly progesterone and oestrogen, play a significant role in keeping the immune system in check during pregnancy, helping to create the best environment for the baby to grow.
- Increased Susceptibility to Infections: While the immune system is changing to keep your baby safe and well, it could mean you’re more likely to catch bugs. For example, respiratory infections like the flu can be more common and severe in pregnant people, and there can be an increased risk of complications.
- Protection Against Certain Infections: On the flip side, the immune system also works to protect both the mother and the developing foetus from certain infections. The immune system may be more responsive to certain pathogens to ensure the wellbeing of the pregnant individual and the unborn child.