Pregnancy can be a time of happy anticipation and excitement for women and their families. The coronavirus pandemic raises questions about COVID-19 and pregnancy. Are you and your child at risk? There are many questions about COVID-19 and pregnancy.
By following health advice and taking some extra care, you can have a healthy, safe pregnancy during COVID-19.
Pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease than non-pregnant women. Also, pregnant women with COVID-19 could have an increased chance of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Such as preterm delivery.
So Here Are The Risks and Details About Covid-19 and Pregnancy:
Risks During Covid-19 and Pregnancy
The risk factor for COVID-19 in pregnant women is low. Pregnancy raises the risk of severe disease with COVID-19. Pregnant women who have COVID-19 are more likely to develop respiratory problems requiring intensive care than those non-pregnant. Pregnant women are often more likely to be placed on a ventilator. Also, pregnant women that are Black or Hispanic tend to be significantly affected by COVID-19 infection.
It is unknown how much COVID-19 causes problems during pregnancy. And what impacts the baby’s health after birth.
Ask the health care provider quickly if you have signed with COVID-19 or expose to someone with COVID-19.
If you have COVID-19 and are pregnant, the treatment may alleviate symptoms include:
- Having lots of water and rest
- taking medication to reduce fever,
- relieve pain or stop coughing.
You may need to be checked in the hospital if you are sick
Avoiding The Coronavirus During Pregnancy
Avoiding coronavirus infection is the main priority for pregnant women. Pregnant women can experience changes in their immune systems that can increase risks to respiratory viruses. There is no vaccine for COVID-19. It means that expectant mothers can be proactive in protective measures.
If you are pregnant, take precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19. Do everything you can, including:
- physical distance,
- wearing a mask,
- washing your hands
- and staying in close touch with your provider.
Should Pregnant Women Have A Coronavirus Test?
If you have signs of COVID-19 or suspect you may expose to an infected person, contact your doctor. Carefully adhere to the precautions. Maintain at least 6 feet distance from the others, wear a mask, And avoid large gatherings and socializing indoors outside the household.
Lastly, pregnant women should be vaccinated against influenza (the flu). Pregnant women who get the flu may get very ill. And may have a high fever raises the risk of harm to your baby.
Delivery Recommendations About Covid-19 and Pregnancy
If you are healthy as you reach the end of pregnancy, certain aspects of your labour and delivery may proceed as usual. But be ready to be flexible.
If you schedule for labour induction or C-section, you and your caregiver might be checked for symptoms of COVID-19 24 to 48 hours before you arrive at the hospital. You have to test again before entering the labour and delivery facility.
To protect your child’s well-being, some facilities can limit—the number of people you may have in the room during operation and delivery. Visits after delivery may also be affected. Also, you and your support person may be screened every day during your hospitalization for symptoms. Speak to your health care provider about any restrictions that may apply. Restrictions may change if the rates of COVID-19 infection change in your area.
However, if you are seriously ill with COVID-19, you may need to be temporarily separated from your newborn baby.
What Effect Will Coronavirus Have On The Baby?
As this is a very new virus, all the information and data are still not available. There is no evidence to indicate an increased risk of miscarriage if exposed to COVID-19. There is still no evidence of vertical transmission related to the virus’s ability to move on to your unborn child during pregnancy.
In a survey of nine pregnant women in China who tested positive for COVID-19, all nine children tested negative for the virus and were pretty healthy. One pregnant mother in London tested positive for Coronavirus. And her newborn baby also tested positive. However, it is not clear whether the infant had a viral infection in the uterus or shortly after birth. The expert opinion is that it is unlikely that the baby will get infectious during pregnancy. And, as a result, it is unlikely that the baby has any developmental abnormalities. As of now, there is no recent evidence that says otherwise.
What Are The Effects Of Covid-19 In The First Trimester?
Pregnant women who were part of the Lancet analysis were all in their second or third trimester. There are still no statistics on pregnant women who tested positive for the virus in their first trimester. Patients who may become infected with high fever symptoms may raise the risk of congenital disabilities. But there is no evidence for this now.
Precautions For Pregnant Women Against Coronavirus:
Here are several steps you should take to prevent the diseases from spreading during pregnancy:
- Wash your hands regularly. Hand hygiene can potentially protect you from exposure to COVID-19. You may hear that again and again, but with valid reason.
- The practice of social distancing. Maintain at least 2 meters or 6 feet away from others when you’re in a public place. As far as possible, avoid contact with others.
- Get the flu vaccine on time. However, the flu vaccine does not shield you from exposure to COVID-19. It makes you less susceptible to influenza, leading to complications during pregnancy.
- Using the tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the dustbin. Wash your hands right after that.
- Must not ignore the symptoms of the respiratory system. If you have a cough or respiratory distress, do not hesitate to contact a doctor. After taking a detailed history, the doctor will decide if you need to get a COVID-19 test.
- Work at home whenever possible.
Stay protected. Symptoms, like high fever with or without continuous cough, may indicate a potential coronaviral infection. Stop coming into direct touch with anyone who has these symptoms.
The Bottom Line
Overall, focus on taking care of yourself and your child. Please call your health care provider to resolve your issues about COVID-19 and pregnancy. If you have trouble managing depression or anxiety, speak to a health care provider. Or speak to mental health specialist about coping strategies of COVID-19 and pregnancy.
