Pregnancy news always comes with lots of excitement and anticipation. Things are no longer the same in this COVID era. Now Pregnant women are filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and fear instead of enjoying their pregnancy journey.
Don’t worry; there is hope!
Here are the most popular questions that pregnant women keep asking during this COVID pandemic; and the way you and your partner can protect yourselves and the baby from COVID and other related issues.
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Is It Safe to Keep Attending Prenatal Clinics?
Keeping social distancing and staying at home are some of the leading measures of curbing the spread of COVID. On the contrary, Clinics require pregnant women to attend their prenatal visits. The hospitals being one of the most vulnerable places for COVID, these women are left wondering if the checkups are safe or not.
Lots of adaptations are happening in the world, especially in the healthcare industry. Multiple options are available for pregnant women, including doing prenatal clinics by phone, choosing a doula to help you through pregnancy, and minimizing the time spent at the hospital if you must visit the facility. More and more women choose homebirths, primarily low-risk pregnancies, to reduce the chances of contracting this virus.
Hospitals are also investing in all possible efforts to make the premises COVID safe, including setting up tents to increase the accommodative capacity while keeping social distance between the clients. Handwashing and sanitizing are a necessity, but they are taking temperatures of anyone entering the facilities.
While at these facilities, people are wearing face masks to limit the spread of COVID. With all these measures in place, and considering how crucial prenatal visits are to both mother and baby, all pregnant women should not miss their appointments, whether virtual or physical.
These appointments are vital for monitoring both mother and baby (the pregnant belly, baby heartbeat, and other essential factors). Find the safest and most convenient options available and take advantage of them, including afterbirth support and routine immunizations after the baby is born.
Should Pregnant Women Get the COVID Vaccine?
The COVID vaccine is here, and you are all wondering who is eligible for vaccination and who is ineligible. “Can pregnant women get the COVID vaccine?” is one of the most popular questions that keep arising when talking about COVID vaccination. You should all understand that COVID vaccination is an individual choice for anyone, including pregnant women.
However, pregnant women with COVID exhibit a higher risk for illnesses compared to their counterparts without COVID. Therefore, all pregnant women must take precautionary measures to keep themselves and their unborn babies safe from this pandemic.
Taking the COVID vaccine is among the most effective steps that you should consider. As stated earlier, it is a personal decision that you should make without any pressure. The pregnant COVID vaccine guidelines require these women to make free decisions like any other health condition.
The best news is that this vaccine does not pose any risks to your pregnancy, and your baby will remain safe until they are born. If you have any questions about the COVID vaccine, you should ask your caregiver before getting the shot.
Can A Pregnant Woman with COVID 19 Pass It to Their Unborn Baby?
One of the biggest worries of any pregnant woman in these pandemic times is to pass COVID 19 to their unborn baby. Research, however, shows little evidence of the virus being in breastmilk, placenta, amniotic and vaginal fluid, and cord blood.
The mother should, however, take all the required precautions to avoid contracting the virus. Keeping social distancing, wearing face masks outdoors, handwashing and sanitizing, and staying at home is crucial in curbing this pandemic.
Are Hospital Births Still Safe Options?
For the longest time in history, most pregnant women have always given birth in hospitals. The coming of this pandemic has instilled fear in patients about hospitals and no longer find them safe anymore. More and more women opt for home births over hospitals as a safety measure of keeping themselves and their babies safe from COVID.
Hospitals, on the other side, are applying all efforts to keep COVID at bay. Hospitals are still perfect options for women who don’t have a home birth as an option (due to costs or high-risk pregnancies). These facilities are doing all they can to keep both mothers and babies and all other people on the premises safe from COVID.
It would help if you talked to your doula or the caregiver supporting you throughout your pregnancy about COVID safety during birth. They can help you identify the facility with the best COVID measures in place, increasing the chances of keeping you and your baby safe from the pandemic.
Are Partners or Families Allowed in The Hospital During Birth?
The support number has decreased to curb the spread of COVID -19; hospitals limit clients’ numbers on their premises. Pregnant women can no longer enjoy the large company of family and friends at the time of delivery. Most hospitals only allow one or two people to support each woman during birth to cut on the crowd and curb the spread of COVID.
Every woman needs support when giving birth, especially in this COVID season. The only challenge is that they cannot have all their loved ones by their side at that time but rather choose who they prefer the most. It is all for their safety and that of their baby.
How Can I Cope with Anxiety of Giving Birth During This COVID Pandemic?
Always stay positive, get some sun and fresh air. Many other women are going through the same thing across the world; you are not alone. Others have done it before and come out COVID free. You will do it as well. Finding support in online support groups is also vital. Being in isolation is not being alone.
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