She has assisted at over 1,000 births and is currently teaching in the nurse-midwifery program at the University of Minnesota. According to a recent study published in Lancet, mosquitoes are especially drawn to expectant moms. Researh conducted in Gambia found that the pregnant women attracted twice as many mosquitoes. The insect is attracted to carbon dioxide and heat. Pregnant women produce more of these attributes than other people, so they become favorite targets.
Malaria can also cause stillbirths and contributes to low birth weight and early infant death.
Another disease, encephalitis, is also carried by mosquitoes and could prove fatal in some extreme cases. In areas where malaria is endemic, the application of small amounts of DEET-containing products may be necessary. In the U.S., however, during pregnancy, it is best to apply products which do not contain this insecticide. Watch this if baby's meals end with thrown food. Learn about a potentially lifesaving new vaccine.