Parampara Fertility: Pregnancy During Days of Covid19 / Corona

The whole world is, quite literally, locked down due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. It is, therefore, understandable, if a woman is pregnant and deeply worried. Being pregnant is stressful and it becomes even more so now.

Covid-19 is an infectious disease that spreads mainly through discharge from the nose or saliva droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Currently there is no specific vaccine or treatment protocol for the disease and prevention is considered the best defence.

So, what can a pregnant woman do?

Here is what we know.

While there is no data to show that pregnant women are more susceptible than anyone else, they are in what is called the “immunocompromised” group and are likely to have respiratory infections. Hence, good hygiene and social distancing everywhere is advised.
Ideally, all pregnant women should get tested for Covid-19.
Clean, disinfect frequently and have the laundry done daily.
DO NOT put cloth covering/masks on children younger than 2 years.
Clinical studies have, till now, shown no evidence of the virus in breast milk, amniotic fluid and cord blood.
There have been a few cases of preterm births, but it is unclear whether the virus is to blame. The sample size was very small.
If you are a nursing mother and are infected, it is advisable to use a breast pump and have someone else feed the milk to the baby. Wear a mask and wash your hands before holding the baby.
Stay at home and stock up on essentials and medications if any prescribed. Better safe than sorry.
If you are due and are at the hospital, then there will be restrictions on visitors; you will not be able to walk around as is normal; you may be discharged early after birth and all doctors and nurses will be wearing protective gear.
If you are confirmed infected and give birth, then the baby will have to be kept in a separate area or, at the very least, kept six feet or two meters away. The baby should be tested as of 24 hours of age and again when 48 hours old. If the test cannot be conducted, then the baby should be treated as positive for a 14-day quarantine period.