Pregnancy can be a stressful state even under normal circumstances but during a pandemic, the anxiety can increase manifold. In response to the queries from our patients, our experts from Vasundhara hospital and fertility research centre, Jodhpur have tried to solve some of them through this blog.
EFFECT OF COVID -19 ON PREGNANCY
Since pregnancy causes significant changes in the body including the immune system, it is important to take extra precautions to avoid catching the infection. There are also concerns on whether the mother can transmit the infection to the baby in the womb. However, experts say that there is no need to panic because as of now in India there only have been few cases of COVID-19 positive pregnant women delivering babies who were perfectly alright.
The immune system during pregnancy becomes less responsive and so,the mother becomes susceptible to various infections, including viral diseases. Also, the size of the thoracic cavity, the space containing the lungs and the heart decreases during pregnancy. The lungs are therefore left with less space due to the pressure of the growing fetus on the diaphragm. Pregnant women during the third trimester may feel shortness of breath. All these factors may lead to increased severity of COVID-19.
PLANNING PREGNANCY IN COVID-19 ERA
Infertility treatments or pregnancy planning should continue as usual to maintain social and emotional balance. Delaying pregnancy too much or even by a year or two may have negative impact on future family planning due to increasing age of the couple. For more information on the topic, refer to our previous blog on Infertility Treatment during Corona Times.
CAN THE DISEASE SPREAD FROM MOTHER TO CHILD
There is a possibility of transmission of COVID-19 infection from a pregnant mother to the newborn, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Although there are sporadic reports of COVID-19 pneumonia in pregnancy which are milder and have good recovery. Also, there are case reports of pre-term deliveries in women with COVID-19, out of which few were induced prematurely with medical intervention in good interest of mother and the baby.
Transmission after birth through infectious respiratory secretions is a concern. Facilities should consider temporarily isolating the mother who have confirmed COVID-19 from the baby until the mother is free of infection.
Pregnant women with heart disease are at highest risk of complications and should therefore be extra careful in taking all precautions. Currently, there are no data suggesting an increased risk of miscarriage or early pregnancy loss in relation to COVID-19. Long term data is awaited.
Should pregnant women with COVID-19 deliver normally?
Currently, there is no evidence to favor one mode of birth over another. Woman can deliver either normally or through caesarean section depending on maternal and obstetric condition. Caesarean section may be required in infected woman only if woman’s respiratory condition demands urgent delivery.
This information is adapted based on guidelines from international agencies like CDC, ACOG, RCOG, FOGSI and Lancet publications and journals. However, national and local guidelines considering resources in our government health settings should be followed.
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