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Pregnant woman Vs COVID-19. Expert gives advice, shares Dos and Don’ts
Chandigarh, May 8, 2021: Although many vaccines are now in the market assuring protection against deadly COVID-19, the public as well as the governments are still facing a tough time dealing with the havoc created by the virus. Along with the elderly and small children, pregnant women are also sensitive to the virus. Many pregnant women express confusion about the necessary steps that needs to be taken against infection.
In conversation with Babushahi Network editor Baljit Balli, Dr. Swapna Mishra, Director Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fortis Hospital, Mohali shared valuable information on how pregnant women can protect themselves from COVID-19 and several Dos and Donts that they should follow.
Dr. Mishra who has performed more than 26,000 deliveries and over 20,000 gynae surgery said that pregnant woman is equally at risk of COVID-19 like any other individual.
“While there is no study that says that pregnant woman is more at risk of Coronavirus but the problem arises when there is a complication in pregnancy. In such situation, while we can monitor the mother but monitoring the children gets challenging as the ultrasound required for children are different and sometimes, they are not available which is why the pregnant women are specifically told to take extra care of themselves,” said Dr Swapna Mishra.
Dr Mishra who is also first female doctor to perform landmark robotic surgery in this region further shared that challenges in instances where the pregnant woman gets infected with COVID-19 when the due delivery date is near.
“Incase, we go ahead a deliver a child of the COVID-19 positive woman, we keep the child away from the her at least 17 days so that the children does not get infected. While we don’t allow direct breast feeding in such situation, woman can definitely pump her breast milk in a bottle which can then be given to the child. Since the breast milk is not infected with COVID. Its safe for the child,” she added.
She said as a precautionary measure, a pregnant woman should always maintain a distance from the family members who often need to go outside of the house for various reasons. In such cases, pregnant women are advised to always wear the mask inside and also while heading out.
“In case any family member got infected with COVID-19, a pregnant woman should not stay in that environment if possible or maintain healthy distance. If possible, wear N95 mask or the simple cotton mask will also work,” she said.
Stating that the Fortis was among the first private facility in the region to carry out delivery of COVID patient since the outbreak last year, she shared that till now they have carried out delivery of around 40 COVID-19 positive woman.
She shared in most of the cases the symptoms of COVID-19 were not evident, it was only during the screening they used to learn that the woman is infected with COVID-19.
“One of the fascinating things I have observed in such cases is that the pregnant women recover from COVID-19 quite soon. Its like they are protected by God. Pregnant woman has a lot of power to deal cope with COVID-19.
Expert further shared that after the birth, they are kept in NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) for a day and screened for COVID. After which the newborn is given to a family member who has tested negative for COVID. They further clarified that there are many treatments available for COVID-19 positive pregnant woman.
Should they take vaccination?
“The ICMR guidelines says the pregnant women should not get vaccination for COVID since there is no study on the effect of COVID vaccine of the pregnant woman and a child. While there is no study in this regard in India, one UK based study suggests that COVID-19 pregnant should take vaccine but only after 12 weeks of vaccination. Likewise, the Indian Gynae Association has suggested that a pregnant woman should take COVID-19 if there are lot of people surrounding her infect with virus. In such cases, she should take the vaccination after 28 weeks of pregnancy. Since there is no strong study conducted in the country, for now we are asking pregnant women to isolate themselves,” she said.,
She further said that if the woman is planning for pregnancy, they should still go ahead with the vaccination and incase you got a jab and then got pregnant, it will have no affect on the child. She cleared that woman can get COVID vaccination jab when they are breast feeding.
“Incase, the woman got pregnant after first dose of vaccination, she needs to the defer the second dose for 28 weeks. Do not run away from the vaccination. Keep yourself and your family safe,” she advised.
Watch the full interview here:
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