Coronavirus, Pregnancy And breastfeeding, What to do if you’re Pregnant?
Coronavirus And Pregnancy
What pregnant women should know about the coronavirus disease:
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. The novel coronavirus is a new strain, not previously identified in humans. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the latest discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Coronavirus And Pregnancy
The rapid spread of,
The virus that causes COVID-19 has sparked alarm worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, and many countries are grappling with a rise in confirmed cases. In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising people to be prepared for disruptions to daily life that will be necessary if the coronavirus spreads within communities.
How does the virus spread?
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus through inhaling small droplets from people with COVID-19 who cough or sneeze or through touching contaminated surfaces. Many people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. The symptoms include a combination of:
Common signs of infection include,
- Respiratory symptoms.
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
- In more severe cases, the infection can cause:
- Pneumonia.
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome.
- Kidney failure.
- And even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Coronavirus, Pregnancy, And Breastfeeding:
- When you are pregnant, your body naturally weakens your immune system. This is to help your pregnancy continue successfully. It means that when you are pregnant you may pick up infections more easily.
- All pregnant women should get the flu vaccine. This will protect you and your baby from the flu, not from coronavirus.
A. Pregnant Women, Before Birth:
Are pregnant women more at risk than others? Can the virus be transmitted to the baby?
Pregnant women are not more at risk of catching COVID-19 or suffering from the more severe disease than other adults of similar age. There is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted to the unborn child during pregnancy, or during childbirth. Babies and young children are known.
“What is the risk to pregnant women of getting COVID-19? Is it easier for pregnant women to become sick with the disease? If they become infected, will they be more sick than other people?”
We do not currently know if pregnant women have a greater chance of getting sick from COVID-19 than the general public nor whether they are more likely to have a serious illness as a result. Pregnant women experience changes in their bodies that may increase their risk of some infections.
With viruses from the same family as COVID-19, and other viral respiratory infections, such as influenza, women have had a higher risk of developing severe illness. It is always important for pregnant women to protect themselves from illnesses.
What do you do if you get sick?
If you become ill with symptoms of cough, fever and difficulty breathing:
- Stay home and call your local health care services for advice.
- Mention that you are pregnant.
If you are found Sick with COVID-19:
- Call your midwife or antenatal care provider and inform them about your illness.
- Request instructions on how to proceed with antenatal care appointments and delivery plans during the course of your illness.
How can pregnant women protect themselves from getting COVID-19?
Pregnant women should do the same things as the general public to avoid infection. You can help stop the spread of COVID-19 by taking these actions:
- Cover your cough (using your elbow is a good technique).
- Avoid people who are sick.
- Clean your hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based. How to Protect Yourself
Can COVID-19 cause problems for a pregnancy?
We do not know at this time if COVID-19 would cause problems during pregnancy or affect the health of the baby after birth.
B. During Pregnancy or Delivery:
- You will not have to wear a facemask during labor and birth. But you will need to wear a surgical mask when you’re outside your room.
- Other than your doctor or midwife, only one other person may stay with you for the delivery. This could be a partner or family member. They will need to wear protective equipment to minimize the risk of infection.
Can COVID-19 be passed from a pregnant woman to the fetus or newborn?
We still do not know if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus that causes COVID-19 to her fetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery. No infants born to mothers with COVID-19 have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. In these cases, which are a small number, the virus was not found in samples of amniotic fluid or breastmilk.
Also,
There does not appear to be an increased risk of miscarriage or other complications such as fetal malformations for pregnant women who are infected with COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Based on data from other coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that pregnant women who get COVID-19 may have a higher risk for some complications, such as preterm birth, but the data are extremely limited and the infection may not be the direct cause of preterm birth.
C. Infant:
If a pregnant woman has COVID-19 during pregnancy, will it hurt the baby?
We do not know at this time what if any risk is posed to infants of a pregnant woman who has COVID-19. There have been a small number of reported problems with pregnancy or delivery (e.g. preterm birth) in babies born to mothers who tested positive for COVID-19 during their pregnancy. However, it is not clear that these outcomes were related to maternal infection.
D. After The Birth, Breastfeeding:
If you have coronavirus and you are caring for your baby, you will be encouraged to breastfeed as normal. You may decide to express breast milk so that someone else can feed your baby. This is usually your partner or a close family member. You might do this if you feel too unwell to breastfeed. Your healthcare team may also advise you that this is the safest way to feed your baby.
If you breastfeed:
- Wash your hands properly before touching your baby or any breastfeeding equipment like pumps or bottles. Coronavirus And Pregnancy Coronavirus And Pregnancy
- Wear a face mask if you are doing breast or bottle feeds yourself.
- Ask your midwife or other staff to show you how to clean the pump after each use.
Transmission of COVID-19 through breast milk:
Much is unknown about how COVID-19 is spread. Person-to-person spread is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza (flu) and other respiratory pathogens spread.
In limited studies on women with COVID-19 and another coronavirus infection, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV), the virus has not been detected in breast milk; however, we do not know whether mothers with COVID-19 can transmit the virus via breast milk.
CDC breastfeeding guidance for other infectious illnesses:
Breast milk provides protection against many illnesses. There are rare exceptions when breastfeeding or feeding expressed breast milk is not recommended. CDC has no specific guidance for breastfeeding during infection with similar viruses like SARS-CoV or Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV).
Outside of the immediate postpartum setting, CDC recommends that a mother with flu continue breastfeeding or feeding expressed breast milk to her infant while taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus to her infant. Coronavirus And Pregnancy Coronavirus And Pregnancy
Guidance on breastfeeding for mothers with confirmed COVID-19 or under investigation for COVID-19:
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most infants. However, much is unknown about COVID-19. Whether and how to start or continue breastfeeding should be determined by the mother in coordination with her family and healthcare providers.
A mother with confirmed COVID-19 or who is asymptomatic PUI should take all possible precautions to avoid spreading the virus to her infant, including washing her hands before touching the infant and wearing a face mask, if possible, while feeding at the breast.
If expressing breast milk with a manual or electric breast pump, the mother should wash her hands before touching any pump or bottle parts and follow recommendations for proper pump cleaning after each use. If possible, consider having someone who is well feeding the expressed breast milk to the infant.
What to do if you are pregnant women? and How can you prepare yourself?
- Educate yourself on COVID-19 from trusted sources.
- Keep physically active to ensure good physical condition.
- Discuss your concerns about COVID-19 with your antenatal care provider.
- Call your antenatal care provider to ask for specific indications on how to proceed with antenatal appointments and your delivery plan, including in case you become ill with COVID-19.
- Have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (e.g. tissues, thermometer) to treat fever.
- If taking any prescription medicines, refill them, or consider using mail order for your medications.
- Have enough groceries and household items, approximately 2-4 weeks.
- Prepare gradually and avoid panic buying. Activate your social network.
- Contact family, friends, neighbors or community health care workers in advance and make joint plans on what to do when COVID-19 is spreading in your community or if you become ill.
- Follow instructions from national authorities on how to prepare for emergencies.
- Continue to practice general hygiene.
Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment for any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”
References
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