It’s hard to ignore the headlines on the COVID-19 pandemic that’s swept across the globe in recent months. If you’re pregnant, you may have worries and concerns around the health of both you and your baby. We help you understand what this outbreak means for your pregnancy and how to stay safe at this time.
Play It Safe!
While there isn’t enough data yet to indicate that pregnant women are more at risk of COVID-19, pregnancy is linked to a greater risk of severity of respiratory infections. Because of this, the WHO suggests that pregnant women should take all the precautions that other ‘at-risk’ groups take. Just focus on staying healthy, eating right, practising good hygiene, and following guidelines for the prevention of COVID-19 and you should be fine.
Protecting yourself (and your baby-on-board) From COVID-19
The good news is that all the recommended safety measures and precautions for the general public are perfectly safe for you as a pregnant woman. They’re easy to follow too!
Here are the recommendations on preventive measures to take:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or clean with an alcohol-based rub when soap and water isn’t available.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.
- Practise social distancing when you have company at home or when you have to step out in public, especially in crowded places.
- Always cover your nose/mouth when sneezing with a tissue or sneeze/cough into your bent elbow. Throw out the tissue right away.
- Disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched (doorknobs, taps, countertops etc.)
Pregnancy-Related Check-Ups
Ensure you keep up regular appointments with your gynaecologist throughout the pregnancy, even if it is online or via telephone or video calls. Your doctor will guide you on additional precautions you may need for a normal healthy pregnancy.
Make the most of each appointment by jotting down a list of questions you have before the call. Keep a small notepad handy to put down these questions whenever you have a doubt or concern you want to bounce off the doctor later.
What To Do If You’re Unwell
On the off chance that you do start developing respiratory symptoms like a cough or trouble with breathing or have a fever, it is important to get help immediately. Do not delay reaching out to both your gynaecologist as well as your local hospital (always let them know that you suspect COVID-19 so they can prepare isolation measures/safety equipment for the medical team to avoid infecting more people including doctors and nurses). The WHO recommends prioritizing testing of pregnant women with symptoms of COVID-19, so you should be able to get access to a test kit/testing.
Stay Informed!
Check these websites for the latest updates and guidelines:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW),India
The India Council of Medical Research(ICMR)
World Health Organization(WHO)
Now that you’re armed with the information to stay safe from COVID-19, get back to focusing on your mental and physical health to make this pregnancy as healthy as possible.
Join other mothers who are experiencing similar challenges and read more about the fulfilling journey of pregnancy and motherhood that lies ahead on the #Mamaxpert Community and blog.