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If you are pregnant now in times of coronavirus pandemic, then it is quite likely that you will be worried about your health and your baby’s health. Thankfully, pregnant women need not be worried about being at a higher risk of contracting the virus if they have been practicing social distancing norms and following personal hygiene. 

However, it is important that pregnant women, and those planning to be pregnant should be completely in touch with their gynaecologists and clinicians so they can be advised on the various precautions that need to be taken. For example, these are some of the precautions that pregnant women can take:

  • Wearing mask and PPE kits (if necessary) while going out
  • Washing hands frequently (rubbing hands with soap and washing it off with warm water)
  • Maintaining social distancing (at least about 6 feet)
  • Keeping prenatal care appointments 
  • Keep your medications and other resources handy

Pregnant women must take special care because during pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes, and you could be vulnerable to virus attacks and infections. 

What's Antenatal care?

Antenatal care, also known as prenatal care is important because these are regular checkups that would help gynaecologists treat and prevent potential health problems throughout your pregnancy.  Your doctor will give you appointments and depending on your health, the gynaecologists will schedule the number of visits, so it could be around 10-12 visits per pregnancy term. Make sure you are regular in these appointments because the doctor will need to check how you and your baby are doing. 

If you have any respiratory distress you must inform the obstetrician immediately because the physiological and anatomic changes in a woman can affect the respiratory system and this could increase susceptibility to other infections. People with other health conditions like diabetes, lung diseases and heart diseases will have to be really careful because with Covid 19, those problems are likely to be aggravated. 

Taking precautions

There is no evidence or concrete studies to suggest that pregnant women with underlying health conditions are likely to be seriously ill, or will have severe complications and need hospitalisation or need ICU. But it is always important to take the above mentioned precautions to be on the safe side. Social distancing should be practised seriously because the respiratory droplets like coughs and sneezes can travel up to six feet. If you absolutely have to visit a hospital for pregnancy-related tests, then wear a cloth mask and refrain from touching your face. 

Breastfeeding your baby

Just like no direct link hasn’t been established between coronavirus and pregnancy, there is no evidence supporting the thought that babies could be affected from breast milk. However, make sure that none of the caregivers are Covid 19 positive to prevent risking the spread of the virus. 

Antenatal care During Covid 19

Antenatal care during Covid 19 is extremely important. Gynaecologists in Qatar at our Naseem Medical Centre are vigilant in counselling pregnant women and providing antenatal treatment. If they cannot physically visit the hospital, then this can be done via phone or Telehealth. 

As part of antenatal care, the pregnant women will also have to do some at-home monitoring, like checking for high blood pressure, diabetes and so on with the help of smart devices. Your Gynaecologist would be able to guide you on that during the virtual appointments. 

It is also safe for pregnant women to undergo a Coronavirus test because the gynecologist in Wakrah and healthcare providers will need to know what kind of personal protection they have to wear, and the equipment they have to carry should the women be tested positive. 

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