Hyderabad: The growing coronavirus pandemic has now led to a sense of panic amongst pregnant women across the globe. WHO says, “Research is currently underway to understand the impacts of COVID 19 infection on pregnant women.
Data are limited, but at present, there is no evidence that they are at higher risk of severe illness than the general population.” Pregnancy brings lots of changes in a woman’s body and her immune system, and therefore, they tend to catch infections more easily than others. To understand more about it, we had a conversation with Dr Meeta, Gynecologist and Obstetrician.
She says “Pregnant women don’t fall in the high-risk category as of now, but we can never be sure. During the Swine Flu outbreak, pregnant women were in the high-risk category, so I recommend them to take more precautions amidst this pandemic as well because they are any day more vulnerable than the general population.”
But what if an expecting mother gets infected? Is the baby in the womb likely to get infected from the mother? Doctor Meeta says, “There is very little data available yet to say that the virus can be transmitted from mother to an unborn baby.
According to data based on the scientific data coming from Wuhan, China, where four women were tested by taking samples of the amniotic fluids and samples after the baby was born.
The results were found to be negative. Therefore, when the baby is in the womb, it does not get transmitted, but once the baby is delivered, then it will be at a risk of getting infected like anybody else.”
Hence, it becomes necessary for expecting mothers to take proper care of themselves during this time. Doctor suggests that the precaution can be specific to coronavirus and the general precautions.
Read: How to counter mental health issues during lockdown
“Precautions specific to coronavirus include the common preventive measures that the public is practising like frequent washing of hands, maintaining a physical distance, working on personal hygiene and cleanliness. Apart from this, there are certain general precautions to be taken during the lockdown related to how and when to visit a doctor, etc.”
In reference to this, doctor Meeta recommends the following thing to keep in mind:
● Skip going to the doctor for regular checkups. Those can be done over phone or video calls and are permissible by ICMR
● Visit a doctor in the 9th, 12th, and 32nd week for scan and checkup, because it is important
● If you are tested positive and want to continue the pregnancy, inform the doctor. Go and meet the doctor if he/ she advises so.
● Strictly avoid going to the hospital unless very necessary
● After the 32nd week (very close to delivery), you can still stay at home and see a doctor once in 15 days. But ensure the movements are good. In case of any fluid discharge, immediately go to the hospital.
● Maintain all the hygiene when visiting a hospital.
- A simple cloth mask is sufficient
- Gloves are not necessary
- Cleaning your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer will do the needful
- Do Not touch the surfaces like doors, railings as far as possible
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Thus, along with the physical well being of an expecting mother, it is also necessary to maintain mental health. The doctor recommends to keep a positive mind and not be scared of the coronavirus.
They must know that there are many doctors attending to emergencies apart from COVID-19 patients and therefore, emergencies like delivery will be attended too. Women can try engaging in other activities and not being constantly engrossed with the COVID-19 news. Listening to some music and talking to your dear ones will help you keep your worries at bay.
However, one thing that should not be ignored at any cost is social distancing. Doctor Meeta repeatedly suggests NOT to move out of the house unless extremely necessary. As #IndiaFightsCorona, do your bit by staying at home!
