What The Experts Are Saying About Pregnancy and COVID-19

Photo by Camylla Battani on Unsplash

 

Fear has stricken the least suspecting citizen as reports of the coronavirus penetrate the media.

Doctors have warned the elderly and immunocompromised individuals to stay clear of public areas and to take extreme caution.

But there hasn’t been a lot of advice for the pregnant community concerning the virus- and they can be the most anxious bunch!

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, mothers-to-be were losing sleep over whether to breastfeed or whether or not they want a home birth.

Now, the weight of decisions have grown exponentially as mothers frantically try to keep themselves healthy for the sake of their unborn child.

First off, it is important to know that according to the CDC the coronavirus has an incubation of 2-14 days, so you could expose yourself to the virus by hanging out with individuals not showing any symptoms yet.

This does not mean you need to lock yourself in a room until the world is free of any germs, but that you should exercise increased caution when interacting with others.

And the same precautions go for a pregnant woman as for the general population- wash your hands often!

In addition to washing your hands with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds, staying six feet away from anyone who doesn’t live with you will help not contract COVID-19.

Traveling should be off the table right now for anyone expecting, suggests Huma Farid, MD, in Harvard Health.

Restrictions have been placed on air travel to many countries and states within the United States, so unfortunately you will have to change that baby-moon to a toddler-moon.

It is disappointing, but that also means the baby shower will have to be cancelled, or scheduled via video chat.

You can still receive gifts in the mail and even start an email chain to receive priceless tips from your veteran mom friends.

What if you begin having symptoms of COVID-19?

Call your doctor’s office if you begin to get sick. Do not go to your doctor’s office unannounced or you may spread the virus further.

Depending on your symptoms you and your doctor can develop a plan of action that is both safe for you and your baby.

It should be comforting to know, according to the CDC, there has not been any reports of increased miscarriage or deformities in the unborn baby for pregnant women who have had COVID-19.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have noted there is an increase risk of preterm birth with COVID-19 cases, but the data is extremely limited.

You may be wondering if the virus can be passed to your baby if you were to contract it, and the answer is probably not.

In the cases that were monitored of pregnant women who have had COVID-19, the baby did not have the virus, nor was it “present in amniotic fluid, the babies’ throats, or in breast milk,” reports Harvard Health.

Prenatal care is important to monitor you and your baby’s health during the pandemic, but certain precautions can be kept to limit exposure risks.

The time between visits can be lengthened, or you can set up video appointments with your doctor to discuss any complications or concerns you may have.

Talk to your doctor about the plan that best suits you and the practice.

God has created the perfect dwelling place for your developing child where they are protected from many of the dangers we face out in the world.

Continue to practice smart safety guidelines as you and your little one await your meeting date.