Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that the U.S., and the rest of the world, has been hit hard by COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV2 strain of coronavirus and primarily affects the lungs, leading to pulmonary fibrosis. This respiratory illness can cause symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath, headache, diarrhea, etc. In some cases, these symptoms can be severe and life threatening. Here’s the link to my first video on COVID-19 and pregnancy for more back ground info:
Since the first U.S. case, we now have almost 800,000 cases and 40,000 deaths in the U.S. alone (CDC.gov). Some states are starting to re-open retail businesses. Texas, the state in which I live, is one of them. As an MFM provider, I want you to take steps to continue to protect yourself and your unborn baby or future pregnancy. Data is limited on the effects of COVID-19 in the first trimester and throughout pregnancy. However, so far, studies do not show an increase in birth defects. The biggest issues with COVID-19 in pregnancy, besides the risk of respiratory disease, is the association with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, thrombosis (blood clots in the legs or lungs), and preterm labor (which is common with respiratory illnesses). A lot of OB/GYN are spacing in-person visits and doing more virtual visits. Therefore, if you are experiencing any of the following, seek help:
- headaches that are unrelieved with Tylenol
- shortness of breath
- change in your vision
- frequent contractions (meaning contractions for 10min for at least an hour)
- Pain near your liver (on the right side, at the top of your stomach/abdomen)
- Leakage of fluid from the vagina
- Vaginal bleeding
Not all of these are symptoms of COVID-19, but these symptoms can signify more common complications which require medical attention, such as preterm labor, infection in other parts of the body, and preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in your urine).
Since the pandemic, wearing masks in public and practicing social distancing are now the new norm. Zoom meetings all day are exhausting! A car ride is considered a “day out”. To stay connected, we have virtual family meet-ups. Thankfully, we live at the time of social media and and internet. If this were to happen when I was younger, I would probably not see any family members for months (and might not talk with people too often since I didn’t have a cellphone growing up)! Here’s my medical take on life since COVID-19. Feel free to share your pandemic stories!