Covid-19 & Pregnancy

Pregnant women are advised to avoid routine antenatal checkups if they are not in the category of high-risk pregnancy or in their last trimester, says Dr M. Swetha, Consultant Gynaecologist, KIMS SAVEERA Hospital, Anantapur

- Dr M. Swetha

Covid-19, the disease caused by a new coronavirus, has spread globally quite rapidly. As this is a new virus, how exactly it affects pregnant women is not yet clear. But from the experience of corona affected patients in China, it has been found that pregnant women are more vulnerable to infection with COVID-19 than the general population. However, there have been no reported deaths of pregnant women from coronavirus till now.

Transmission

The virus spreads via human to human, through respiratory droplets sent into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also spreads when someone touches a surface infected by a person who has the virus.

How can pregnant women reduce the risk of catching coronavirus?

General instructions: The same conditions that apply to the general population.

The most important thing to do is to wash your hands regularly and effectively with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser as soon as you come from public places to your home or work place.

Avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose frequently.

If you must sneeze and cough, do so into a tissue that you discard immediately, or into your elbow.

Avoid large gatherings (>50 people at the same place).

Social distancing is important to limit the spread of the virus.