Pregnancy can be stressful enough without a global pandemic rearing its ugly head. So whether it's your first pregnancy or your fifth (kudos!), it's always reassuring to have a doctor give you specialized advice to keep you and your baby safe.
What Pregnant Women Need to Know Regarding COVID-19
The Best Offense Is a Good Defense
Worry a lot less about having COVID-19 while pregnant by protecting yourself from getting it in the first place. Avoiding situations where you're liable to contract the virus is the best way to ensure you don't have to worry about COVID-19.
Are Pregnant Women at Increased Risk From COVID-19?
During pregnancy, your entire body fluctuates. This applies to your immune system, which might experience changes that leave you more vulnerable to respiratory viruses.
Pregnancy puts added stress on all the systems of your body. When you're healthy and robust, this usually isn't a problem. A respiratory illness like COVID-19 can cause complications that your body doesn't need.
Limit Exposure
It's crucial to take precautions to prevent yourself from getting COVID-19. This includes:
While frequent check-ups and doctor visits are a staple of pregnancy, doctors are trying to schedule fewer appointments to limit trips to the doctor's office. You can also opt to have telemedicine appointments so that you're exposed to others less.
While pregnant, it's vital to adhere to the COVID-19 measures in your area. Every municipality has different COVID-19 numbers and, therefore, different mandates. Keep your eye on the recommendations from doctors in your area to know the risk level.
Should Pregnant Women Get a Coronavirus Test?
If you're having COVID-19 symptoms or have reason to think you've been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19, it's critical to talk to your doctor. Catching it early can help with symptom management. Your doctor can offer you advice about whether a test is recommended or not.
You may be screened for COVID-19 when you're admitted to deliver your baby, but it's imperative if you have either a cough, fever or other respiratory symptoms.
What Happens if I Get COVID-19 While Pregnant?
If you have COVID-19 while pregnant, don't panic. Many of the medications used to treat COVID-19 are safe during pregnancy. Call your doctor and talk to them about your symptoms and concerns. They can walk you all the way through the process and give recommendations to keep you and your baby safe.
The best way to manage COVID-19 while pregnant is to follow your doctor's advice. Our goal is to minimize stress on your heart and manage symptoms as much as possible. This includes keeping your fever low, heart calm, and lungs open.
Pregnancy During COVID Doesn't Have to Be Scary
Growing another person with your body has a lot of unknowns. It's natural to feel some anxiety when adding those unknowns to a global pandemic. At Vantage Medical, we want to help calm that anxiety. Book an appointment through our easy online system so you can talk to your doctor about your concerns.
