What you Should Know about Covid-19 and Pregnancy
Covid-19 is also known as Coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. The novel coronavirus is a new strain, not previously identified in humans. COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the latest discovered coronavirus. There are special concerns about Covid-19 and pregnancy.
How can one get Infected?
People can get COVID-19 from others who have the virus through inhaling small droplets from people with COVID-19 who cough or sneeze or through touching contaminated surfaces.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. others. The symptoms include a combination of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty
- breathing
- Muscle pain
- Tiredness
Covid-19 and Pregnancy
Are pregnant women more at risk than others?
Pregnant women are not more at risk of catching Covid-19 or suffering from the more severe disease than other adults of similar age.
Can the virus be transmitted to the baby?
There is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted to the unborn child during pregnancy, or during childbirth. however, it can be transmitted from another adult to the newborn,
Breastfeeding and Covid 19
There is no evidence that breast milk can be transmitted via breast milk. Hence breastfeeding is still encouraged. If a mother is positive of Covid -19 she should take certain precautions :
- Wear a surgical/procedure mask when near the baby.
- practice good respiratory hygiene
- perform hand hygiene before and after close contact with the baby
- If you are too sick to breastfeed, you can express to continue breast milk supply and ensure to maintain strict hygiene doing this.
How can I protect myself and others?
- Clean your hands often. Wash your hands with soap and water or, if not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your face, nose and eyes.
- Avoid contact with sick people, in particular those with a cough.
- Do not attend meetings, events and other social gatherings in areas with ongoing community transmission.
- Practice social distancing if COVID-19 is spreading in your community:
- If you develop cough, once COVID-19 is spreading in your community, use medical face masks. This will protect those around you from getting infected.