How Mothers-To-Be And New Mothers Should Protect Themselves And Their Baby From Covid-19

The mothers-to-be and new mothers need to take some extra precautions during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Parul Vadgama, head of the department, Respiratory Medicine, Government Medical College, Surat, shares some useful tips:??

1. What all precautions should a woman take to protect herself from catching the Covid infection during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a mother-to-be needs to take the following precautions to protect herself from catching Covid-19.

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a. She should wear a mask even when she is at home.

b. She should also maintain physical distance from her family members as they may be the carrier of the infection.

c. If her haemoglobin is less than 14, she should take supplements. Anaemia reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which is vital to fight covid-19.

d. If she develops any symptoms, she should immediately consult her doctor. An early diagnosis and treatment help in managing the disease effectively.

e. She should eat nutritious food, stay well-hydrated and sleeps for a good 7-8 hours.

2. How should she take care of herself if she catches Covid-19 during pregnancy?

An early diagnosis, timely treatment and hospitalisation can help an expectant mother to recover faster from Covid-19.??

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?If she develops any symptom such as cough, cold, congestion, fever, etc, she should immediately consult her doctor and get tested for Covid-19. The earlier we detect Covid-19, the easier it is to treat it.??

There are a lot of medicines that cannot be given during pregnancy, but there are many which can be safely prescribed even during pregnancy.??

Though we cannot do an x-ray in the first trimester, we can do it in the 2nd or 3rd trimester if needed. A pregnant woman should use a protective shield while undergoing an X-ray.

If her oxygen saturation falls below 94, she may need hospitalisation.

3. Does the infection affect the developing foetus?

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Yes, in some cases the infection from the mother’s blood can penetrate the developing foetus. Besides, hypoxia, which is the low oxygen saturation of the mother, can also affect the foetus adversely. With early treatment, we can reduce the impact of infection on the foetus.

4. What if a new mother catches Covid-19 infection? Should she breastfeed the child?

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Breastfeeding is important for the normal growth and development of an infant. It also protects the baby from various infections. A new mother should wear a three-ply mask and sterilise her hands, clothes, and the surrounding surfaces such as the bed, table or chair she uses before breastfeeding her child.

By following these preventive measures, she can reduce the chances of passing the infection to the baby.