The monsoon season in North India — typically July through September — brings relief from summer heat but introduces a different set of health risks for pregnant women. Waterborne infections, mosquito-borne diseases, respiratory infections, and fungal conditions all increase significantly during the monsoon months. Understanding which risks are genuinely elevated and which precautions make a real difference helps pregnant women navigate this season safely.

Dr. Shachi Singh, consultant obstetrician at Prakash Hospital, Sector 33, Noida, explains.

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Mosquito-Borne Infections: The Priority Concern

Dengue Fever in Pregnancy

Dengue is a significant concern in Noida and Greater Noida during the monsoon — Aedes mosquitoes breed in clean, stagnant water that collects in containers, tyres, and waterlogged areas around homes.

Why dengue is more serious in pregnancy:

• Dengue fever in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and low birth weight
• Dengue in the third trimester particularly — vertical transmission to the newborn can occur, causing neonatal dengue
• The thrombocytopenia (low platelets) of dengue creates higher haemorrhage risk during delivery
• Diagnosis is more challenging — some dengue symptoms overlap with normal pregnancy changes

Symptoms requiring immediate evaluation: High fever (38.5°C or above), severe headache, pain behind the eyes, rash, muscle and joint pain, or any bleeding (gums, nose, or from any site).

Prevention: Eliminate stagnant water collection around the home — clear coolers, flower pots, outdoor containers weekly. Use mosquito nets. Apply mosquito repellent (DEET-based repellents are considered safe in pregnancy after the first trimester; picaridin is safe throughout).

Malaria in Pregnancy

Plasmodium falciparum malaria (the most severe form) is particularly dangerous in pregnancy — causing severe anaemia, placental malaria (parasite accumulation in the placenta impairing fetal nutrition), preterm birth, and low birth weight. Plasmodium vivax malaria (more common in North India) causes recurrent fever and anaemia.

Any pregnant woman with fever during the monsoon requires urgent malaria testing. Chloroquine-sensitive malaria is treated with chloroquine (safe in pregnancy). Artemisinin-based combinations for falciparum malaria are used with specialist guidance.

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Waterborne and Food-Borne Infections

Typhoid Fever

Salmonella typhi infection from contaminated water and food causes high, sustained fever, abdominal pain, and can cause serious complications in pregnancy including miscarriage and preterm labour. The monsoon water supply contamination issue is well-documented in North Indian cities. Ensure drinking water is boiled, filtered, or from sealed bottles.

Viral Hepatitis A and E

Hepatitis E in pregnancy carries a particularly high risk — the mortality rate from hepatitis E in the third trimester of pregnancy is 15 to 25% (compared to under 1% in the general population). Contaminated water during the monsoon drives hepatitis E outbreaks. Hepatitis A transmission is also increased. Both cause jaundice, severe fatigue, vomiting, and right upper abdominal pain.

Any jaundice in pregnancy requires urgent evaluation. Prevention: safe water, avoiding food from uncertain sources.

Gastroenteritis

The most common monsoon infection — bacterial or viral gastroenteritis from contaminated food or water. Vomiting and diarrhoea in pregnancy cause dehydration rapidly. ORS (Electral/similar) is the priority. Contact your doctor if you cannot keep fluids down, have fever, or symptoms persist more than 24 hours.

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Respiratory Infections

Colds, influenza, and viral upper respiratory infections are common in the monsoon from crowded indoor environments. Influenza in pregnancy carries elevated risk of severe pneumonia and preterm birth.

Influenza vaccination: Recommended during pregnancy at any trimester — it is safe, effective, and reduces severe influenza risk. Ask your obstetrician about availability.

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UTI Risk in Monsoon

High humidity combined with wet clothes, damp underwear, and reduced personal hygiene opportunity in rains increases UTI risk — already elevated in pregnancy. Symptoms: burning urination, frequency, urgency. Any UTI in pregnancy requires antibiotic treatment — untreated UTI can ascend to pyelonephritis (kidney infection) or trigger preterm labour.

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Fungal Infections

Warm, humid monsoon conditions promote vaginal thrush (candidiasis) and skin fungal infections. Maintain genital hygiene, change wet clothes promptly, and wear breathable cotton underwear. Vaginal thrush (itching, white discharge) during pregnancy is treated with topical clotrimazole — consult your obstetrician before using any treatment.

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When to Contact Your Doctor Immediately

• Fever above 38°C — any fever in pregnancy requires assessment
• Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
• Severe vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
• Any bleeding
• Reduced fetal movement
• Signs of severe headache, visual disturbance, or swelling (preeclampsia warning)

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Obstetric Care in Noida and Greater Noida

Dr. Shachi Singh at Prakash Hospital, Sector 33, Noida, provides antenatal care with awareness of seasonal health risks for women across Noida and Greater Noida.

To book a consultation with Dr. Shachi Singh, call: +91 97023 46853

Clinic Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 AM – 6 PM | Sunday, 10 AM – 2 PM

Clinic Address: D-12A, 12B, Sector-33, G.B. Nagar, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301

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This blog is for educational purposes only. Any fever during pregnancy requires prompt medical assessment.