Hype VS Reality About Lyme and Pregnancy

 

Everyone needs to be concerned about Lyme disease, especially those trying to conceive or who are pregnant. But we need to know the facts, not repeat the myths we sometimes hear, and we need them from reliable sources.  Fact- over 300,000 people per year are diagnosed and subsequently treated for Lyme disease in the US, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).  And that estimate is considered low due to the challenges of positively identifying Lyme disease.

What does this mean for people trying to conceive or using assisted reproductive technology (ART)?

Two reliable sources for information, board certified Reproductive Endocrinologists, from RMACT, Cynthia Murdock, MD and Shaun Williams, MD dispel the unsubstantiated fears and myths swirling around Lyme disease, pre-pregnancy and pregnancy and offer scientific advice on how to protect yourself from tick bites that carry the disease.  

Preventing Lyme Disease

Dr. Shaun Williams shares the prevailing wisdom regarding how to avoid Lyme disease: "The prevention of Lyme disease for women who are trying to conceive or who are already pregnant is recommended. The best prevention is knowledge and avoidance of areas where ticks are prevalent. Blacklegged ticks (the ticks that cause Lyme disease) live in moist and humid environments, particularly in and near wooded or grassy areas.  Unfortunately, it's common to get a tick on you during outdoor activities around your home or when walking through leaves and bushes. To avoid ticks, walk in the center of trails and avoid walking through tall bushes or other vegetation.

The use of insect repellent containing DEET is also recommended. DEET has been shown to be safe in pregnant women and is considered very safe for women trying to conceive. It is the best protection for Lyme disease, Zika virus exposure, and other insect-borne illnesses. We recommend the use of DEET during outdoor activities during the summer months when ticks and mosquitoes are active. If you are outdoors, tick checks are also an important part of prevention. Spending a few moments after undressing to check for ticks can help prevent exposure, but may also allow prevention of disease if early exposure has been identified.

Reassuring Information About Lyme Disease & Pregnancy

Dr. Williams adds this comforting information on Lyme disease and pregnancy: "The presentation and clinical severity of Lyme disease are not affected by pregnancy. The bacteria does not cross the placenta, and the general opinion is that Lyme disease does not lead to any adverse outcomes of a pregnancy. Treating Lyme disease during pregnancy is also safe, if necessary, although treatment regimens may need to be adjusted to avoid unsafe antibiotics."

Lyme Disease Is Not Incompatable With Fertility Treatment

Dr. Cynthia Murdock shares her expertise on the specifics about fertility treatment cycles, including IUI's and IVF and Lyme disease: "As there is no evidence or research that Lyme disease or a bite from a tick adversely affects or transfers the disease to either sperm or eggs, it therefore does not prevent a person’s seeking to conceive from undergoing fertility treatment cycles, such as IUI’s or IVF. Further, there is no research that has been done to show that Lyme disease affects or transfers the disease to embryos. The one qualification regarding Lyme disease concerns a woman with an active case of Lyme during an IVF cycle, then embryos would be cryopreserved (frozen) rather than transferred back to the uterus. The severity of the Lyme disease in any individual and the course of treatment for that person could alter or delay certain fertility treatment cycles."

 

W
Submitted by Westport, CT

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next