5 Common Questions About Pregnancy and Mosquitoes

Along with the plethora of emotions, pregnancy brings with itself a set of questions for the parents to be. For a woman who is going to be a mom for the first time, life can be pretty confusing at times. This is because there are so many sources of information available ranging from your near and dear ones to the Internet. As a mom to be, we expect a woman to take extra care of herself as there is a growing fetus inside her. Thus, if one had to look, in the entire nine months of her pregnancy, a woman makes sure that she does not contract even the slightest bout of cold or a cough. Among the trillion questions, one of the most common question with limited knowledge is about pregnancy and mosquitoes. Highlighting some common questions about mosquito bites during pregnancy.

Mosquito bites during pregnancy:

We share five common questions asked by women about mosquito bites during pregnancy.

1. Are pregnant women more susceptible to mosquito bites?

Time and again research has said that ‘Yes’ – Pregnant women are more susceptible to nasty mosquito bites or mosquitoes prefer pregnant women. The main reason for this is as women progress slowly in their pregnancy, they feel tired more quickly than the usual self. Since they feel tired, it’s but normal to exhale more air and hence carbon dioxide. Mosquitoes love the carbon dioxide in the breath. As a result, naturally, mosquitoes prefer pregnant women. Hence it is always better to take precautions and ensure your safety. While it is not always possible to remain indoors, you can apply just 4 dots of the Goodknight Fabric Roll-On on your clothes. It is a safe mosquito repellent during pregnancy. Since it contains 100 % natural ingredients, you need not think twice before using it. It provides 8-hour protection and is available in 2 different fragrances – Cirus and Bubblegum.

2. Is there any vaccine available for Malaria/Dengue/Chikungunya/Zika?

Even though the WHO has released the vaccine for Dengue, it is not available in the Indian market yet due to certain constraints. This also holds true for the Zika virus. Tests have been conducted around the world to come up with a vaccine for Zika as well. Even if a vaccine is developed, there will still be a need to prevent mosquito bites during pregnancy. 

3. What if I contract Dengue during my pregnancy?

If a woman gets dengue during pregnancy, there are high chances of her passing it to the baby either during birth or before it. The dengue virus is particularly dangerous as it can result in stillbirth, low birth weight or even in some cases premature delivery. If you think you have dengue, it is best to immediately consult a doctor for a further course of action and medication so that you can lower the chances of complication.

4. How to treat irritations caused by mosquito bites during pregnancy?

Mosquito bites can have an irritating reaction on you whether you’re pregnant or not. Sometimes it might turn red and create an itching sensation as well. To get immediate relief, rub your hand under ice-cold water for at least two minutes or so. To provide further relief, you can take an ice pack and rub it on the affected area. Avoid any scratching or so around the mosquito bite.

5. Is it safe to use a mosquito repellent during pregnancy? 

This question has a very tricky answer to it. Most mosquito repellents contain DEET in them. If it is used for longer periods of time it can cause skin irritation and dizziness. So, it is always advised to moderate the use of mosquito repellents during pregnancy. These days the market is flooded with Deet-Free Mosquito Repellents, so you might as well check them out. For indoor protection, you can use the time-tested electric repellent – Goodknight Activ + System that comes with 2 times the power to avoid mosquito bites during pregnancy. You can switch between the normal and active modes, based upon the number of mosquitoes.

Pregnancy is a time when you want to be just healthy and take minimum risks as far as medicines or anything related to the body is concerned. These can be as minute as a new skincare cream or oil. With counter-top products and drugs, one can’t be sure of the contents inside them.

Tips to ward off mosquitoes naturally:

1. Neem oil

Neem is one of the best and effective anti-mosquito agents. It is easily available in the market these days. People in rural areas burn Neem leaves to keep mosquitoes away. You can burn Neem oil candles or in a lamp to prevent mosquito bites during pregnancy. Neem oil mixed with coconut oil applied to the body is also a great way to chase those nasty mosquitoes. This is a natural mosquito repellent during pregnancy.

2. Tulsi/Basil

Yes, you heard it right! Apart from religious beliefs, the Tulsi plant can also be potted in your home to ward of those mosquitoes. Tulsi has anti-repelling properties which can even kill mosquito larvae. So, plant a Tulsi tree today to avoid mosquito bites during pregnancy!

3. Tea tree oil

You can use diffusers with tea tree oil, light them and place it in your room. The fragrance is typically very light and will not make you feel nauseated. Tea tree oil also has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. Thus, it can be used as a mosquito repellent during pregnancy.

We have covered most of the queries around mosquito bites during pregnancy! Now that it is an established fact that mosquitoes prefer pregnant women, start using mosquito repellents during pregnancy. Because prevention is better than cure. Wishing you a happy nine months of pregnancy!

Image source: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06