COVID-19 Threats To Pregnant Women

COVID-19 is the disease that is caused because of the coronavirus. Even though the recovery rate is higher than the mortality rate, the disease still remains potentially lethal given its uncertainty. The researchers and the experts haven’t been able to get to the core of the cause yet, and neither is there any vaccine and medication. All of this has created a panic in the general public.

Women who are expecting a baby soon are extremely stressed. They are full of concerns and questions but have few sources of right information. So today, I’ll talk about one of the most important questions that have been bothering the pregnant women across the globe - should they be visiting a hospital or not?

The recommendation is to avoid hospital visits for routine checkups as much as possible to dodge even the smallest chances of being infected. Opt for online or telephone consultation instead.

However, it doesn’t mean that one must avoid the visits completely. You cannot ignore the present existing pregnancy concerns due to corona. If you have any emergencies or an unavoidable complication that needs to be addressed by a doctor, you must visit the hospital. You must be vigilant about such situations.

When you do visit the hospital, make sure you wear a mask without fail. Carry a hand sanitizer and avoid touching anything on the way and in the hospital unnecessary. Avoid touching your face and keep sanitizing your hands, especially when you feel your hands were in contact with anything. Everybody who’s visiting the hospital with you must follow these guidelines.

Bring limited people with you. Bringing the entire family unnecessarily increases the chances of infection and the spread of the virus. Perhaps, your spouse and one more person should be more than enough to accompany you.

As far as the delivery is concerned, it must be done in a hospital. Homebirth is not a recommended option, as there are a ton of complications that can arise during the delivery and post-delivery. All this must not be neglected in the fear of getting affected by the coronavirus, as it is only a possibility, but pregnancy is a present situation.

Dr Jyoti Kankanala,

Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the organization.