Prenatal Infection Prevention Resources & Downloads
Know how to help prevent some of the most common prenatal infections!

Learn practical behaviors to help protect your unborn baby in our Prenatal Infection Prevention Handout using the word “HYGIENE” to help you make these behaviors routine! Also understand the role of vaginal health care, oral health care, and sexual transmission in the prevention of prenatal infections.
Downloadable 8 1/2″ x 11″ Prenatal Infection Prevention poster
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Downloadable 8 1/2″ x 11″ Prenatal Infection Prevention companion handout, perfect for posting on bulletin boards!
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Infectious agents potentially prevented by healthy pregnancy behaviors
View our presentation on "Primary prevention of prenatal infection using the mnemonic "HYGIENE""
Resources for the whole family:
Fun for children! Teach your children how to set the table (washing their hands first to prevent the spread of germs!) with a downloadable placemat for them to color. CMV and GBS prevention info is on the back for parents and caregivers! |
Podcast and Video Resources:
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International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month with Dr. Jamie McGregor — “Doctors of the USA welcomes Dr. Jamie McGregor, a retired Ob/Gyn/infectious disease specialist on the Group B Strep International board, an internationally known clinician and expert consultant, to talk about the epidemiology of GBS. Listen in as he shares how it can be prevented and the treatment options available.”PowerPoint presentation by GBSI, “Advocating for Your Unborn Child during Pregnancy and Beyond — Know How to Help Protect Your Baby from Infection.”
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Video by Dr. James A. McGregor:
“Ultrasound Illustration of the Functional Connectedness of the Lower and Upper Reproductive Tracts.” |
The ultrasound clips in this footage illustrate how active uterine transport, also known as “up-suck”, can help infectious microorganisms cross the mouth of the womb and even intact membranes. This is significant as it demonstrates how invasive procedures such as membrane stripping can transport infectious microorganisms into the lower uterine segment potentially causing intrauterine infection and death in unborn babies.
The following slides have key subtitles for the ultrasound clips in the above video for those unfamiliar with uterine ultrasounds:
PowerPoint presentation by GBSI: "Key Subtitles for Ultrasound Illustration of the Functional Connectedness of the Lower and Upper Reproductive Tracts.”
The following slides have key subtitles for the ultrasound clips in the above video for those unfamiliar with uterine ultrasounds:
PowerPoint presentation by GBSI: "Key Subtitles for Ultrasound Illustration of the Functional Connectedness of the Lower and Upper Reproductive Tracts.”
Understanding the role of certain factors in prenatal infection prevention:
The role of vaginal health

“A Call to Action: Vaginal pH Level and its Role in Women’s Health and Safety”.
PowerPoint presentation by Dr. James C. Caillouette,
This presentation is also available as a PDF.
Self-Care-Program for pregnant women. Learn how to help prevent premature births and identify the risk of vaginal infection.
Prof. Erich Saling MD FRCOG, Jürgen Lüthje MD and Monika Schreiber MD Institute for Perinatal Medicine, Berlin, Germany (Translation into English: Amos Grunebaum MD FACOG, Cornell University, New York).
“Indication for use of vaginal pH test in U.S. by women who have normal menstrual periods or who may currently be pregnant.”
A prospective study of vaginal pH as a predictor of preterm delivery
A. Jazayeri, H. Arnold, M. K. Jazayeri and W. N. Spellacy Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine 2002, Vol. 11, No. 1, Pages 30-33
Ob-gyns call for BV screening Bacterial vaginosis link to early labor is confirmed Denise Mann, Medical Tribune, Obstetrician and Gynecologist Edition, January 25, 1996, Volume 3, Number 2 2002, Vol. 11, No. 1, Pages 30-33
Prenatal Infection and Schizophrenia: A Review of Epidemiologic and Translational Studies. Alan S. Brown, M.D., M.P.H., and Elena J. Derkits, B.A. 01, March 2010.
Vaginal pH Self-Screening as a KISS Regimen in Prevention of Early Preterm Birth.
Udo B. Hoyme. EMJ Gyn Obs. 2012:1:44-47.
BV Increases Risk for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Nancy Monson. Modern Medicine Network. 2, November 2017.
Women's Impression of BV Episodes, Recurrences, and Care
Nancy Monson. Modern Medicine Network. 2, November 2017.
PowerPoint presentation by Dr. James C. Caillouette,
This presentation is also available as a PDF.
Self-Care-Program for pregnant women. Learn how to help prevent premature births and identify the risk of vaginal infection.
Prof. Erich Saling MD FRCOG, Jürgen Lüthje MD and Monika Schreiber MD Institute for Perinatal Medicine, Berlin, Germany (Translation into English: Amos Grunebaum MD FACOG, Cornell University, New York).
“Indication for use of vaginal pH test in U.S. by women who have normal menstrual periods or who may currently be pregnant.”
A prospective study of vaginal pH as a predictor of preterm delivery
A. Jazayeri, H. Arnold, M. K. Jazayeri and W. N. Spellacy Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine 2002, Vol. 11, No. 1, Pages 30-33
Ob-gyns call for BV screening Bacterial vaginosis link to early labor is confirmed Denise Mann, Medical Tribune, Obstetrician and Gynecologist Edition, January 25, 1996, Volume 3, Number 2 2002, Vol. 11, No. 1, Pages 30-33
Prenatal Infection and Schizophrenia: A Review of Epidemiologic and Translational Studies. Alan S. Brown, M.D., M.P.H., and Elena J. Derkits, B.A. 01, March 2010.
Vaginal pH Self-Screening as a KISS Regimen in Prevention of Early Preterm Birth.
Udo B. Hoyme. EMJ Gyn Obs. 2012:1:44-47.
BV Increases Risk for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Nancy Monson. Modern Medicine Network. 2, November 2017.
Women's Impression of BV Episodes, Recurrences, and Care
Nancy Monson. Modern Medicine Network. 2, November 2017.
The role of the microbiome
The perinatal microbiome and pregnancy.
AL Prince, K Aagaard. Cold Spring Herb Perspect Med. 2016;5.
Maternal microbiome – a pathway to preterm birth.
AE Vinturache et al. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2016;21:94-9.
Partial restoration of microbiota of Cesarean born infants via microbial transfer.
MG Dominguez-Belle et al. Nat Med 2016;22:250-3.
Microbiome in parturition and preterm birth.
I Umysovekar, B Cao. Semin Repro Med 2014;32:50-55.
Microbial changes during pregnancy, birth and infancy.
M Nuriel et al. Front Microbiol 2016.
Analysis of meconium bacterial microbiota in healthy term infants born vaginally or by Cesarean section.
R Nagpal et al. Front Micro 2016;7:1977.
Transforming life: developmental origins.
SL Prescott, AC Logan. IJERPH 2016;1075.
Planting the seed: Origins composition and postnatal health significance of the fetal gastrointestinal microbiota.
LF Stinson, MS Payne, JA Keelan. Critical Reviews in Microbiology Dec 2016.
Formulation of short chain fatty acids by the gut microbiota on their impact on human metabolism.
DJ Morrison, T Drosten. Gut Microbiome 2016;7:189-200.
The Human Intestinal Microbiome in Health and Disease.
SV Lynch, O Pedersen. NEJM 2016; 375:2369-2372.
AL Prince, K Aagaard. Cold Spring Herb Perspect Med. 2016;5.
Maternal microbiome – a pathway to preterm birth.
AE Vinturache et al. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2016;21:94-9.
Partial restoration of microbiota of Cesarean born infants via microbial transfer.
MG Dominguez-Belle et al. Nat Med 2016;22:250-3.
Microbiome in parturition and preterm birth.
I Umysovekar, B Cao. Semin Repro Med 2014;32:50-55.
Microbial changes during pregnancy, birth and infancy.
M Nuriel et al. Front Microbiol 2016.
Analysis of meconium bacterial microbiota in healthy term infants born vaginally or by Cesarean section.
R Nagpal et al. Front Micro 2016;7:1977.
Transforming life: developmental origins.
SL Prescott, AC Logan. IJERPH 2016;1075.
Planting the seed: Origins composition and postnatal health significance of the fetal gastrointestinal microbiota.
LF Stinson, MS Payne, JA Keelan. Critical Reviews in Microbiology Dec 2016.
Formulation of short chain fatty acids by the gut microbiota on their impact on human metabolism.
DJ Morrison, T Drosten. Gut Microbiome 2016;7:189-200.
The Human Intestinal Microbiome in Health and Disease.
SV Lynch, O Pedersen. NEJM 2016; 375:2369-2372.
The role of oral health

A Complete Guide to Dental Care and Pregnancy
Emergency Dentist USA
Oral Health Care during Pregnancy and Early Childhood Practice Guidelines
New York State Department of Health. August 2006.
Oral Healthcare During Pregnancy - At-a-Glance Reference Guide
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene—Office of Oral Health. April 2012.
Emergency Dentist USA
Oral Health Care during Pregnancy and Early Childhood Practice Guidelines
New York State Department of Health. August 2006.
Oral Healthcare During Pregnancy - At-a-Glance Reference Guide
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene—Office of Oral Health. April 2012.
The role of chemicals
Agricultural pesticide use and adverse birth outcomes in the San Joaquin Valley of California
Ashley E. Larson, Nature Communications, Article number: 302(2017).
Ashley E. Larson, Nature Communications, Article number: 302(2017).
The role of sexual transmission
Lyme Disease May Be Sexually Transmitted, Study Suggests
Guinnevere Stevens PRWEB. Jan. 25, 2014.
The Regulation of Inflammatory Pathways and Infectious Disease of the Cervix by Seminal Fluid.
Adefuye A, Anthony Katz A, Jason Sales K. Patholog Res Int. 2014; 2014: 748740.
Guinnevere Stevens PRWEB. Jan. 25, 2014.
The Regulation of Inflammatory Pathways and Infectious Disease of the Cervix by Seminal Fluid.
Adefuye A, Anthony Katz A, Jason Sales K. Patholog Res Int. 2014; 2014: 748740.
The role of harmful microorganisms
Antibiotic Allergies
Management of Persons Who Have a History of Penicillin Allergy
Division of STD Prevention, (2011, January 28)
Division of STD Prevention, (2011, January 28)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
References and Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention For more info on CMV prevention, please visit How Can I Help Protect My Baby from CMV?
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Dengue
Maternal and Fetal Outcome of Dengue Fever in Pregnancy (abstract)
TV, Chitra, S. Panicker. J Vector Borne Dis. 2011 Dec;48(4):210-3
TV, Chitra, S. Panicker. J Vector Borne Dis. 2011 Dec;48(4):210-3
E. coli
Escherichia coli Strains from Pregnant Women and Neonates: Intraspecies Genetic Distribution and Prevalence of Virulence Factors.
Watt S, Lanotte P, Mereghetti L. et al. J Clin Microbiol. 2003 May; 41(5): 1929–1935.
Women with symptoms of a urinary tract infection but a negative urine culture: PCR-based quantification of Escherichia coli suggests infection in most cases.
Heytens S, De Sutter A, Coorevits L Clin Microbiol Infect. 2017 Sep;23(9):647-652. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.04.004. Epub 2017 Apr 28.
Watt S, Lanotte P, Mereghetti L. et al. J Clin Microbiol. 2003 May; 41(5): 1929–1935.
Women with symptoms of a urinary tract infection but a negative urine culture: PCR-based quantification of Escherichia coli suggests infection in most cases.
Heytens S, De Sutter A, Coorevits L Clin Microbiol Infect. 2017 Sep;23(9):647-652. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.04.004. Epub 2017 Apr 28.
Infuenza
Should I give the Flu Shot to My Pregnant Patients?
By Heather S Lipkind MD MS, David A Savitz PhD, Modern Medicine Network, 22 Nov. 2017
By Heather S Lipkind MD MS, David A Savitz PhD, Modern Medicine Network, 22 Nov. 2017
Oral Pathogen Fusobacterium Nucleatum
Acute Chorioamnionitis at Term Caused by the Oral Pathogen Fusobacterium Nucleatum
Bohrer J, Kamemoto L, Almeida P, et al. Hawaii J Med Public Health. 2012 Oct; 71)10): 280-281.
Bohrer J, Kamemoto L, Almeida P, et al. Hawaii J Med Public Health. 2012 Oct; 71)10): 280-281.
Recurrent Stillbirth Prevention
Streptococcus
Studies on biochemical, serological and further characteristic of Streptococcus porcinus.
Lammler C, Cirak N, Smola J. Zentralbl Veterinarmed B. 1998 May; 45(4):235-43.
Lammler C, Cirak N, Smola J. Zentralbl Veterinarmed B. 1998 May; 45(4):235-43.
Ticks
Lyme Disease May Be Sexually Transmitted, Study Suggests
Guinnevere Stevens. PRWEB. Jan. 25, 2014.
Of goats and men: rethinking anaplasmoses as zoonotic infections
Andrea R Beyer and Jason A Carlyon. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Volume 15, No. 6. p619-620, June 2015.
Guinnevere Stevens. PRWEB. Jan. 25, 2014.
Of goats and men: rethinking anaplasmoses as zoonotic infections
Andrea R Beyer and Jason A Carlyon. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Volume 15, No. 6. p619-620, June 2015.
Vector-borne
Effect of climate change on vector-borne disease risk in the UK
Medlock J. and Leach S.The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 23, March 2015.
Medlock J. and Leach S.The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 23, March 2015.
Virus Testing
Comprehensive serological profiling of human populations using a synthetic human virome.
Xu GJ, Kula T, Xu Q. et al. American Associated for the Advancement of Science. Vol. 348, Issue 6239, aaa0698.
Xu GJ, Kula T, Xu Q. et al. American Associated for the Advancement of Science. Vol. 348, Issue 6239, aaa0698.
Zoonotic Diseases
Zooontic Diseases: Pigeon Associated People Diseases
Walter Webber, University of Nebraska. Avian Web. 1979.
Walter Webber, University of Nebraska. Avian Web. 1979.
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