How Can Pregnant Women Protect Themselves Against COVID-19?
Tips for Pregnant Women: How to Stay Safe During COVID-19
If you are pregnant, it is natural to be worried about the pandemic’s impact on your child’s health. Will the virus become a threat to your unborn baby? What can you do to protect yourself and your child from the virus? How will it affect your baby if you test positive for COVID? While we do not have all the answers to your questions, here are a few tips to help you and your baby stay safe.
Essential Rules
The three golden rules to follow during the pandemic include washing your hands often, managing physical distance, and sanitizing the things you use frequently. If you’re pregnant, stay at home as much as you can and discourage people from visiting you unless necessary. Maintain a social distance of at least three feet from others, ideally staying six feet away from others. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and use a disinfectant. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of it immediately.
The Centers for Disease Control has recommended wearing a cloth mask, surgical mask, or medical-grade mask in public at all times. You should also avoid going out to run errands during pregnancy. It is still unclear how long the virus can survive on clothing. Take extra care by disinfecting your maternity tops and other maternity dresses to lower the risk of getting infected. If you’re currently working, ask your employer about work from home options.
Know About the Virus
Be aware of the difference between the COVID-19 and regular flu symptoms. Call your health provider if you experience fever, cough, diarrhea, and respiratory problems. Additionally, if you have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19, monitor your temperature and look for respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath. Your doctor may recommend taking tablets to keep the fever down and drink plenty of fluid. If your symptoms worsen and you have trouble breathing, get emergency care by dialing 911 right away.
Online Consultation
Make sure to contact your healthcare provider for all recommended appointments during your pregnancy. Ask about staying healthy and taking care of yourself and the baby. To minimize risks, consult your doctor online for routine prenatal care. UNICEF is calling on pregnant women to use virtual consultations and access advice and recommendations on keeping themselves and their babies safe. It can mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 during pregnancy.
