COVID fears dampen family planning
I attend to around 60 women every day. More than half of them are in the early stages of pregnancy or planning for a baby.
Ever since the COVID pandemic hit us last year, many women have been worried about how COVID will affect them and their baby. “What if I get pregnant and become COVID-positive? Can I carry to full term and deliver without problems? Can I opt for natural birth even if I have COVID? Will my child suffer from growth deformities?” These are some questions, among many others.
With the second wave being so intense, these worries have increased. In fact, many couples are so scared, they are postponing having children! In Chennai alone, we are seeing a 42% drop in birth rates when compared to last year.
If you ask me, you don’t have to postpone having a baby because of COVID. With the right medical guidance, healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude, you can have a healthy and happy pregnancy.
I have personally attended to women who have been COVID-positive (after getting pregnant) and delivered healthy babies – even through normal delivery.
So far, we don’t have any proof that COVID causes development issues in the foetus. In very rare cases, babies have carried the virus and displayed symptoms much later. That is treatable, like any other infection.
So, if you are pregnant and test positive for COVID, what should you do?
Schedule an online consultation with your doctor and take the prescribed medicines. You may have to take some blood tests as well.
Check your oxygen saturation level twice every day – it should NOT go below 95. If it drops or if you feel breathless, go to the hospital immediately. If your fever does not subside after 4 days (despite taking medicines), you should go to the hospital.
Trust your doctor and follow their instructions. We are here to help you have a journey towards becoming parents.
