CMV in Pregnancy

CMV in Pregnancy - The Silent Risk that Expecting Mums aren't being Told About

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Pregnancy can be a time of great learning for women. Expectant mums receive a lot of information, from tracking baby kicks to choosing birth preferences. Some is exciting, while others are overwhelming.

The majority of pregnant women know what to do: avoid sushi and soft cheeses, say no to alcohol, don’t smoke and be careful when flying. Many people have advised on the obvious risks. There’s a serious concern that is often overlooked: (cytomegalovirus).

CMV is rarely included in standard pregnancy brochures or checklists for antenatal appointments, despite being the leading cause of disabilities among newborns. It should. Although the virus is dangerous, it can also be prevented with simple hygiene measures.

Let’s discuss it.

What is CMV?

CMV is cytomegalovirus. It’s not to be confused with the herpes family virus (don’t be scared by that name, it’s another beast). The virus is extremely common. More than 50 per cent of adults have been infected before they reach 40.

CMV is usually harmless to most people and goes unnoticed. CMV can cause only mild symptoms of a cold or flu. The virus is usually dormant after the initial infection and remains in the body throughout life.

But if a pregnant woman contracts CMV for her first time, then problems may arise.

The placenta can transmit the CMV virus to an unborn child if a mother has it during pregnancy. This is known as congenital CMV. While many babies with this condition show no symptoms at all, others can suffer long-term effects.

Hearing loss
Developmental delays
Visual problems
Seizures
Cerebral Palsy

CMV is the leading cause of congenital disability in Australia, yet few parents even know about it.

Real-Life Wake Up Calls: When it Hits Home

Sarah, a mother of 33 from Brisbane, shares her experience. She was 32 weeks pregnant with her third baby and had to balance a busy home life with a 4-year-old child and a toddler. She was cautious, like many parents during her pregnancy. No wine, no deli meats, and no heavy lifting. But CMV? She’s never heard of CMV.

She didn’t even know the virus existed until a close friend forwarded her an article in the news about a twin family who were diagnosed with congenital CMV.

She said, “I kept wondering why no one had told me?” How is this not discussed during prenatal visits?

In the story of twins born profoundly deaf with developmental delays, one had contracted CMV in utero. Later, his mother learned that simple hygiene precautions could have dramatically reduced the risk.

She was understandably devastated. She was also angry.

She wasn’t the only one.

Why is CMV not discussed?

Around 6 out of every 1,000 babies in Australia are born with congenital CMV. 1 or 2 of these children may have disabilities that last a lifetime. But despite the high numbers, CMV is not routinely screened as part of prenatal care, unlike other conditions such as rubella and syphilis.

Why the silence?

Professor Sharon Lewin explains how screening decisions are made based on several factors, including cost, accuracy and treatment options. Health authorities have not prioritised widespread testing because CMV is currently untreated during pregnancy, and there is no vaccine.

Many medical professionals still believe that awareness remains the key because prevention is better than treatment.

You may also like: The Aches and Pains of Pregnancy

How is CMV transmitted?

CMV can be spread by bodily fluids, including saliva, urine and blood. It is also spread through tears, breastmilk and semen. This might be alarming, but the most common way pregnant women are infected is by contact.

CMV is spread by toddlers with their sticky fingers and runny noses. It can live in their urine and saliva for months or even weeks after infection.

Kisses to the lips
Sharing food or drinks
Changing nappies
Cleaning faces with naked hands

Mums with children, especially those younger than five years old, are at a higher risk.

What makes CMV dangerous in pregnancy?

The risk of CMV being passed to your child is lower if you have already had it before becoming pregnant, but not zero. It’s a first-time CMV infection that should be of concern, not catching it for the first time during pregnancy.

In this case, the risk of the virus infecting the baby is higher. The higher the risk of serious complications, the earlier the infection occurs.

Can CMV be prevented?

Yes, it is possible.

It’s important to know that there is no vaccine or cure for CMV in pregnancy. However, the steps you can take to prevent infection are easy and, for most people, totally doable.

Here are some precautions to take if you’re expecting (especially if your child is young or you work with children).

Avoid Saliva Contact

Do not share straws, food, drink, or utensils with children under the age of five.
Kissing your toddler on the lips is not recommended. Instead, kiss them on the forehead or cheek.

Wash your hands often

After:
- Changing nappies
- Wiping the nose of a child or wiping away drool
- Feeding Children
- Handling toys and dummies

Disinfect surfaces

Regularly wipe down surfaces that are frequently touched, such as toys, faucets and bathroom counters.

Take Care with Your Childcare

Discuss your CMV risks with your doctor if you work in early child education or healthcare.

These steps may not be foolproof, but they will drastically lower your chances of catching the virus.

You may also like: Common Dangerous Virus for Pregnant Women

Should I get tested for CMV?

In Australia and many other countries as well, women who are pregnant do not receive routine CMV testing. You can request a CMV test if you:

You are a childcare worker or a healthcare professional
Already have children?
Recent illness with flu-like symptoms
Your baby’s ultrasound has revealed abnormalities

The test involves a simple blood check to detect CMV antibodies. This will indicate whether you have had an infection in the past, recently, or not at all.

If there are any concerns, your doctor may suggest that you undergo additional testing (such as amniocentesis and targeted ultrasounds).

What if I’ve already been exposed?

Your healthcare provider may recommend that you be closely monitored for the rest of your pregnancy if you discover you have had a recent CMV infection during pregnancy. Not all babies born to CMV-positive women are affected.

Although research is underway to find antiviral treatments for pregnant women, these treatments are not widely available and are only recommended in clinical trials.

What is the next step in advocacy and awareness?

Parents and health professionals alike are pushing for greater public education about CMV. It’s slowly working.

CMV campaigns have gained traction among parents, especially those who have experienced the virus. These brave families share their stories in order to ensure that future mothers have the information they wish they had.

Take Emily from Sydney, who only learned about CMV after her son failed a routine newborn hearing test. Later, he was diagnosed with congenital CMV-induced bilateral hearing loss.

She said, “I was shocked.” I’d followed all the rules during my pregnancy. “I just didn’t realise that this was something to be on the lookout for.”

Let’s talk about CMV so that others don’t have to live with it

CMV should be discussed in the same way as rubella, listeria and toxoplasmosis. The expectant mums should be aware of the risks. This is especially true when the solution can be as simple as hand washing and not using shared utensils.

Let’s start a conversation.

Asking our healthcare providers questions is a good place to start.

Share your posts. Share your posts with friends. Use the information in prenatal and early education classes.

Fear is not the best way to protect your baby from CMV. Instead, you should be armed with knowledge.