Expecting a Baby? Things you must know about Coronavirus

Blog Submitted by Urvashi Newar

Corona virus has become a major cause of concern across the globe. Governments and citizens are working together to fight this health nightmare. If you are expecting a child and you are in an area which is affected by this virus, then this blog is something you must read! 

You will be glad to know that as an expecting woman you will not appear to be more susceptible to corona virus as compared to  general people in your area. Since, it is a new virus, it is likely that most of the expecting women will have only moderate flu like symptoms. However, an expecting woman is more likely to get an infection as compared to a lady who is not expecting.

Symptoms like pneumonia which are more severe will only appear in older people, who do not have a strong immune system. There are no cases of any expecting woman having corona virus at the moment. 

Can Corona virus affect your unborn child if you are diagnosed with this infection? 

Since corona virus is a very new virus and scientists are just beginning to understand and learn about it, there is no evidence that it can pass to an unborn child, if a pregnant woman gets this infection. This is known as vertical transmission. So, it is almost unlikely that your little one will have any abnormalities, if you have this virus while you are pregnant.

Things you can do to avoid catching corona virus 

The best way to avoid catching this virus is to wash your hands regularly as well as effectively. Cover your face with a mask when you are outside and also carry a sanitizer always with you. If possible then, please avoid going to public places like malls and cinema halls. 

What if you are affected by this virus?

If you are tested positive for corona virus then you must inform your gynaecologist right away about the same. They would treat you at a hospital if you have severe symptoms, but if you have mild symptoms then you might be advised to recover at your home only.

What you need to do after you have recovered from corona virus? 

As a precaution, your doctor will carry out an ultrasound scan to check the well being of your unborn child. This will be done after two weeks of your recovery. This is an important measure which will help you maintain your peace because no mother can see any harm being caused to her child.

Can I breastfeed my child if I have an infection?

There is no evidence right now which proves that corona virus can be carried through breastfeeding. The well-known benefits of nursing your baby outweigh the potential risks of Corona virus getting transmitted through breastmilk. You must wash your hands before you breastfeed your little one and also wear a mask. If you are using a breast pump for expressing milk then, wash your hands before touching any pump or bottle parts. Also, it would be good if someone else could feed the expressed milk to your little one 

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of The Mom Store 

Urvashi Newar has a great passion for writing. She has been into this line for almost 7 years. Mom to a 3 year old girl, she loves penning down her thoughts on motherhood. She believes in sharing her motherhood journey to help new mothers