Which of the following increases during pregnancy, making the mother more susceptible to certain infections?

During pregnancy, humoral immunity undergoes notable changes that enhance the mother's susceptibility to certain infections. Humoral immunity, which involves the production of antibodies by B cells, typically increases in response to pathogens. While this can enhance the mother's ability to combat infections, it also creates a scenario where some infections may be more difficult for the body to manage due to shifts in immune regulation.

The immune system during pregnancy is designed to tolerate the presence of the fetus, which is genetically distinct from the mother. This tolerance can result in an altered immune response. While some elements of humoral immunity are ramped up, cell-mediated immunity, which involves T cells that are crucial for responding to intracellular pathogens and tumor cells, is often suppressed to accommodate the fetus. This suppression of cell-mediated immunity can lead to a relative increase in vulnerability to certain infections, particularly those that may be managed more effectively through cell-mediated responses.

Understanding this balance is essential for managing maternal health during pregnancy. Increased levels of white blood cells may occur as a physiological response to the changes happening in the body, but it does not necessarily correlate with increased susceptibility to infections in the same manner as the changes in humoral immunity.

In summary, while humoral immunity might increase overall, the resulting immunological adjustments