Does COVID affect pregnancy?|You’re undoubtedly worried about the influence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on you and your kid if you’re pregnant, were pregnant in the previous 42 days (recently pregnant), or are nursing. You may also have concerns about the COVID-19 vaccinations’ safety. Here’s all you need to know about it.
Dangers of Pregnancy
- COVID-19 has a modest overall risk to pregnant women. COVID-19, on the other hand, increases the risk of serious sickness in pregnant or recently pregnant women.
- Severe sickness may necessitate hospitalisation, intensive care, or the use of a ventilator to assist with breathing. COVID-19-positive pregnant women are also more likely to give birth before the 37th week of pregnancy (premature birth). COVID-19-positive pregnant women may be at a greater risk of complications such as stillbirth and miscarriage.
- Infection with the COVID-19 virus is more likely to afflict pregnant women who are Black or Hispanic. COVID-19 may put pregnant women with other medical disorders, such as diabetes, at a substantially greater risk of serious sickness.
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, call your doctor straight once. It is advised that you have your COVID-19 virus checked.
- Before you go to your visit, contact ahead to inform your doctor about your symptoms and probable exposure. Impact on prenatal care
- Talk to your health care provider about precautions that will be taken to protect you during appointments or whether virtual prenatal care is an option for you.
- Ask if there are any tools that might be helpful to have at home, such as a blood pressure monitor or a device to monitor your oxygen levels (pulse oximeter). To make the most of any virtual visits, prepare a list of questions ahead of time and take detailed notes. Online childbirth classes also may be an option.
- If you have certain high-risk conditions during pregnancy, virtual visits might not be an option. Ask your health care provider about how your care might be affected.
Suggestions for labour and delivery
· If you’re in good health as you near the conclusion of your pregnancy, several parts of labour and delivery may go as planned. However, be prepared to be adaptable.
· Before you and your support person arrive to the hospital for labour induction or a C-section, you and your support person may be tested for COVID-19 symptoms. Before entering the labour and delivery unit, you may be screened again.
· Your induction or C-section may be postponed if you exhibit signs of the virus that causes COVID-19.
· Some institutions may limit the amount of individuals you can have in the room during labour and delivery to safeguard your and your baby’s health. Visits after the baby is born may also be influenced.
· Additionally, you and your support person may be evaluated for symptoms every day while in the hospital. Any limits that may apply should be discussed with your health care practitioner.
· When caring for your infant, use a well-fitting face mask and have clean hands if you have COVID-19 or are waiting for test results due to symptoms during your stay in the hospital after delivering.
· When at all possible, keep a safe distance from your infant. When these precautions are performed, the chances of a baby contracting the COVID-19 virus are slim.
· However, if you are seriously unwell with COVID-19, you may need to be removed from your infant for a period of time.
Postpartum support
· It is suggested that postpartum care be a continuous practise following childbirth. Discuss virtual visit possibilities for checking in after birth with your health care physician, as well as your need for an office visit.
· You may be more concerned about your health and the health of your family at this difficult period. Keep an eye on your mental wellness. Seek assistance from family and friends while taking care to avoid becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus.
· You can have postpartum depression if you suffer major mood changes, loss of appetite, excessive weariness, and a lack of joy in life soon after giving birth. If you suspect you might be depressed, speak with your doctor.
· If your symptoms don’t go away on their own, you’re having problems caring for your infant or doing everyday duties, or you’re thinking about killing yourself or your baby, get medical help.
Considerations for Breastfeeding
· According to research, the COVID-19 virus is unlikely to be transmitted to newborns through breast milk. The greater question is whether a virus-infected woman may pass the virus to her infant through respiratory droplets during nursing.
· If you have COVID-19, take precautions to prevent the virus from infecting your baby. Before nursing, wash your hands and use a well-fitting face mask when breastfeeding and within 6 feet of your infant.
· If you’re pumping breast milk, wash your hands before handling any pump or bottle parts, and clean your pump according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If at all feasible, have someone who is healthy administer the expressed breast milk to the infant.
Vaccinations against COVID-19 during pregnancy and nursing
· It is suggested that you acquire a COVID-19 vaccination if you are pregnant or nursing. COVID-19 vaccination can prevent you from serious sickness caused by the virus.
· Vaccination can also assist pregnant women in developing antibodies that may protect their unborn children. Infants born to mothers who received two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, may have a decreased chance of COVID-19 infection in their first six months of life, according to research.
· COVID-19 immunizations do not induce COVID-19 viral infection in anybody, including pregnant women and their newborns. The live virus that causes COVID-19 is not present in any of the COVID-19 vaccinations. Also, bear in mind that mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations do not create genetic modifications or modify your DNA.
· According to the findings of a big study involving over 40,000 women, taking a COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy presents no severe dangers to the pregnant women or their newborns.
· The majority of the women in the trial were given an mRNA vaccination like the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
· The study adds to the growing body of data that COVID-19 immunisation during pregnancy isn’t linked to a higher risk of preterm delivery. In addition, newborns delivered to pregnant mothers who got the COVID-19 vaccination do not have a higher risk of having a low birth weight.
· If you’re attempting to conceive or think you could be pregnant in the future, a COVID-19 vaccination is also suggested. Currently, there is no evidence that any COVID-19 vaccinations induce infertility.
What you can do to help
There are a number of activities you and others in your family may do to lower your risk of becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus and transferring it to others.
• Vaccinate yourself.
• Keep a safe distance from somebody who is unwell or has symptoms.
• If you’re not completely vaccinated, keep a safe distance between yourself and others (approximately 6 feet, or 2 metres) when you’re in an indoor public location. If you have a higher risk of serious disease, this is very crucial.
• If you’re in an area with a large number of persons with COVID-19 in the hospital or new COVID-19 cases, whether or not you’ve been vaccinated, wear a well-fitting face mask in indoor public areas. The CDC recommends that you use the most protective mask you can find that fits well and is comfortable on a regular basis.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Stay away from crowded areas and interior rooms with limited ventilation.
• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue. Discard the used tissue. Hands should be washed as soon as possible.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Keep high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics, and countertops, clean and disinfected on a regular basis.
• If you’re unwell, stay away from work, school, and public places, and isolate yourself at home unless you’re going to see a doctor. If you’re unwell, stay away from public transit, taxis, and ride-hailing services.
People Also Search :
What are the organs most affected by COVID‐19?
COVID19 has the greatest impact on the lungs.
Is it possible to get infected with COVID-19 twice?
Yes, Covid-19 may be obtained several times. When a person contracts coronavirus, their immune system produces a reaction that aids them in fighting the virus if they become infected again. However, it’s unclear how long this immunological response lasts, and it’s likely to differ from person to person.
How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?
The time it takes for symptoms to show on an infected person for the first time. COVID-19 takes 1-14 days to incubate, with the most usual duration being approximately 5 days.
