Here’s what all you need to know…
Don’t let the virus get the better of you, Dr Shweta Goswami, Medical Director at Zeeva Fertility Clinic shares some tips.
According to a recent study published online in The Lancet, of nine pregnant women in their third trimester in Wuhan, China, who had pneumonia caused by COVID-19 none of the women developed severe illnes and all of their babies were born healthy. The risk of passing the infection to the foetus appears to be very low, and there is no evidence of any foetal malformations or effects due to maternal infection with COVID-19. People need to take special precautions rather than worry about it.
Avoid visiting crowded places
Very effective steps are being taken by the Government of India to avoid congestion and save everyone. Pregnant women should avoid going to crowded places. They should avoid going to such places where many people gather together because the risk of spreading the infection in such places is very high. If for some reason you have to go to such places, then use a mask that covers your face properly. Also, do not touch the mask other than straps to wear and remove it and also make sure to keep a distance of at least 1 metre from any person.
Awareness is key
Be very aware of the potential symptoms of coronavirus and the regular flu symptoms so that you can call your health provider if you have any, which include fever, respiratory symptoms or possibly even diarrhoea. Additionally, if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should monitor your own temperature and be especially aware of any respiratory symptoms. Your doctor can advise best steps for care and testing.
Proper hand cleaning
You all know that it is very important to clean your hands. These days, when the coronavirus is spreading rapidly, cleaning of hands has become even more necessary. It is necessary to wash your hands thoroughly with soap several times a day for at least 20 seconds each time. If you are in a place where water is not available, keep-using alcohol based sanitizer to clean your hands.
Regular online check ups
Regular check-ups during pregnancy are very important for the health of your baby and you. To minimise any potential danger, it is necessary that you have your check up periodically. But during this hour of corona crisis, except important pregnancy check ups, try consulting your doctor online. Many offices are already working to consolidate in-person appointments (for example, if someone is coming in for an ultrasound, a routine prenatal check might be added to the same visit). So apart from social distancing, try and cut your routine checks ups to online consultations. But at the same time it is very important to inform your doctor immediately if any health problems arise.
Do not touch the mouth again and again
To avoid any virus, it is necessary that we prevent it from entering our body. Some people keep touching their mouth again and again. By doing this, you provide a way for the virus to reach your body. It is important for pregnant women as well as everyone else to avoid touching their mouth repeatedly. If you have a habit of repeatedly touching your mouth, eyes, nose and ears, change this habit immediately. It is even more important for pregnant women because it can be harmful to their health as well as their baby’s.
Get enough sleep
It is important for pregnant women to keep the body and mind fully energised. To keep the body and mind energised, you need to get enough sleep. It has been proven in many researches that by getting enough sleep each day, our body’s immunity increases profoundly. If your immunity is high, you can easily avoid many health problems. Along with this, moments of rest are very important for the baby growing in your womb. So do not compromise and make sure you get enough sleep.
Balanced diet
The immune system’s efficacy dips during pregnancy, which places pregnant people at a higher risk for contracting many transmissible illnesses, whether food borne or respiratory. So it is very necessary for expectant mothers to have a good and nutritious diet. Your child also gets nutrients from what you eat. A balanced diet should be your first priority to provide proper nutrition to your baby during pregnancy. The right diet and all kinds of vitamins increase your body’s ability to fight against diseases. So without delay, get a diet chart from your specialist and eat a balanced diet.
