Pregnant women with intrauterine infections can transmit the infection to the baby via the placenta. If this is not transmitted while the baby is in the womb, the infection can be acquired by the baby along the birth canal during birthing. This is unfortunate because this causes the baby’s congenital hearing impairment. Other infections a pregnant mom should watch out for are: rubella or German Measles, chicken pox, Hepatitis B, Group B streptococcus, Chlamydia trachomatis, mycoplasma, and parvovirus.

Intrauterine infections

The first three months of pregnancy is dangerous for moms and their fetuses. It is at this point that the mother’s exposure to rubella may harm the fetus. In another scenario, the baby is exposed to herpes during birth. Knowing what to do will protect both mother and child from the harmful effects of certain diseases that may permanently damaged a baby. A mother should also have herself frequently guarded against uterine infections to prevent the tragic consequences.

To protect themselves and their babies, the mother should be immunized for rubella before pregnancy. All other young children should also be immunized to eliminate risk of exposure right in the home. A mother who is exposed to rubella during the first three months of her pregnancy will give birth to a deaf baby, with heart defects, or with other problems. Women can eliminate exposure to intrauterine infections by observing proper hygiene, eating well-cooked meats, hand washing before and after meals, and before and after ministering to the toilet of very young children.

When babies are born, their hearing is tested immediately. If the test results confirm their hearing impairment, the parents are advised immediately. Steps should be planned to ensure the child’s integration in a hearing world. A child can attend special classes for the hearing impaired, and be outfitted for a hearing aid. If the parents deem it advantageous for a child to have implantable hearing aids, they can opt for it when the child hit 12 years old. The expensive lesson gained from the dangers of intrauterine infections during pregnancy continues until the child has grown up.

Parents can have an audiologist select the appropriate hearing aids for their children afflicted with hearing loss. Several hearing aid types can suit children. One thing the parents can do to help a child with poor hearing is to love her and teach her to cope in life. They can also educate women of the dangers of intrauterine infections during pregnancy.