Do & don’ts for Pregnant women during coronavirus
COVID-19 is spreading rapidly throughout the world and has been declared as a pandemic by WHO. While the entire world is at great risk, including small children and old age people, pregnant women are more concerned about the impact of the disease on their health as well as their baby’s health. We can easily understand how pregnant women are more vulnerable to catching the infection and it can have adverse effects on two lives. However, we have provided all the necessary information and guidelines a pregnant woman should follow to stay safe and healthy.
How does Coronavirus spread?
This virus spreads when a person infected with the virus COVID-19 coughs and sneezes and his/her respiratory droplets are sent into the air. It can also spread when a person touches the surface or object with the virus and then touches their nose, eyes or mouth. Main precautions include handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds, social distancing, and sanitizing. It is important to practice social distancing in order to limit the spread of the virus. Remain six feet away from people who don’t live with you. Sneeze and cough into a tissue and discard it immediately.
Keep yourself hydrated and keep your immune system healthy during pregnancy to fight this pandemic. The immunity system goes down during pregnancy and women become vulnerable to infections and diseases. In order to boost your immune system, make sure to have iron-rich food like leafy vegetables, fruits and nuts, Make sure to have the prescribed vitamins too along with Vitamin C that helps build immunity against COVID-19.
Is Pregnant woman prone to get infected?
COVID-19 is a novel virus, which is why very little is known about its impact on pregnant women. Till now no evidence shows that pregnant women are at increased risk of getting COVID-19 or facing severe symptoms in case she gets the disease. Pregnant women are just as likely to get infected as the general public. However, flu data suggests that women are more likely to face serious illness as compared to the general population which suggests that COVID-19 will be more serious for pregnant women. This is why we suggest that pregnant women must practice social distancing and maintaining hand hygiene. If you are a pregnant health care worker, then we recommend that you must keep yourself away from work. The risk of passing the COVID-19 infection to the fetus is very low according to the studies performed.
What should a Pregnant woman do during a lockdown?
While staying at home, pregnant women can engage in creative activities, like painting, craft-work, crochet or sewing. You can try music therapy to cool your mind or practice mental exercises to keep yourself calm. Take nutritional advice from your dietician that boosts your immunity. You can also get an online class of fetal learning and physical activity so that your stress and worries are reduced. Spend some time in your balcony or roof for fresh air .
Tips to be safe:
- Avoid crowded places
- Wash hands at regular intervals
- Maintain social distance
- Don’t touch your eyes, mouth and nose
- Wear mask and gloves when you are outdoors
- Go for health checkup only when absolutely necessary
- Keep your records handy
- Inform the doctor immediately if you have symptoms like fever, diarrhoea or respiratory problems
- Avoid over the counter medicines for cough and cold.
Take support from your family along with your husband and have backup support to take care of you and your baby.