What is the Effect of Coronavirus on Maternal Health during Pregnancy?

There are researches on the effects of coronavirus in pregnancy in many different countries and centers around the world.

Coronavirus During Pregnancy

The coronavirus epidemic, which started in late 2019, has taken the whole world under its influence in a short time. It is known that the Covid-19 disease caused by the coronavirus can affect people of any age, although it usually has more serious consequences in the elderly or people with chronic diseases. The emergence of the disease has led expectant mothers to worry about both their own and their baby's health.
As there has not been enough time since the beginning of the epidemic, information on Covid-19 and pregnancy is limited. However, when compared to the complications seen in pregnant women in SARS and MERS epidemics caused by other viruses from the Coronavirus family, Covid-19 does not cause serious problems for pregnant women.

What Should Pregnant Women with Suspected Covid-19 Do?

Pregnant women with Covid-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, headache and generalized muscle pain, runny nose, chest pain are recommended to have a test. It is known that pregnant women may be more affected by respiratory tract infections due to changes in the body and immune system during pregnancy. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, overweight in pregnant women; It causes the Covid-19 disease to be more severe. Pregnant women are more likely than non-pregnant women to need intensive care when the disease is severe. For this reason, pregnant women are in the middle risk group in terms of Covid-19. It is recommended that pregnant women with symptoms have a test and appropriate isolation according to the result. In women who have had corona during pregnancy; There is no data showing that complications such as miscarriage and stillbirth are more common. In some studies, it has been shown that the risk of preterm birth increases in pregnant women with Covid-19. Since various complications can be seen in premature (premature) babies, these babies may need to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Pregnant women should not delay their gynecologist appointments due to coronavirus. Prenatal checkups, which are very important for maternal and infant health, are as planned. Continuing would be helpful. Disorders such as diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy can be diagnosed and treated during these controls. Thus, the risk of serious complications in the pregnant woman having a possible Covid-19 disease is reduced.

Does Corona Drugs Used During Pregnancy Affect the Baby?

Covid-19 treatment in pregnant women differs from adult treatment. shows. According to the treatment algorithm created by the Ministry of Health,

• pregnant women with uncomplicated Covid-19 are not recommended to take antiviral treatment.
• Uncomplicated patients; They are patients who do not have respiratory distress, do not have shortness of breath, and do not have problems in oral feeding.
• Pregnant women who do not have these problems and who are in good general condition should be isolated at home.
• Patients can apply a diet that strengthens the immune system, such as drinking plenty of water and consuming enough vegetables and fruits at home.
• The drug called Favipravir, which is included in the treatment algorithm of the Ministry of Health, should not be used in pregnant women, puerperal women and nursing mothers.
• Another drug included in the algorithm, hydroxychloroquine; It is a drug that has been used in the treatment of malaria for many years. Studies on this drug have shown that the use of hydroxychloroquine in pregnant women does not cause any serious problems.
• The use of this drug in the treatment of Covid-19 during pregnancy; The decision is made by the doctor considering the general condition of the pregnant woman and the severity of the disease.
• Pregnant women with severe Covid-19 disease may require hospitalization.
• Pregnant women who have an additional disease such as gestational diabetes, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, although they have a mild illness, may also need to be treated inpatient.
• Low-dose aspirin can be given to pregnant women who are prone to blood clots.
• The first choice for pregnant women who need painkillers should be low-dose acetaminophen (paracetamol).
• The general condition of the baby is followed closely during the hospital stay. Immediate intervention is a must in case of any negativity that may occur due to different reasons in the health of the mother or baby. is. Information about the diseases accompanying pregnancy should be given to healthcare professionals. The gynecologist should be informed of the slightest deterioration in the general condition of the pregnant patient. The treatment algorithm to be applied to the patient should be determined by considering the pregnancy and the health status of both the mother and the baby. The patient must fully comply with all medication and drug doses that the doctor will prescribe. research continues. So far, no active virus has been found in the samples taken from the fluid in which the baby is in the womb. In addition, the presence of virus in breast milk has not been shown. For this reason, the answer to the question 'Can a mother breastfeed with the coronavirus?', which is frequently asked by mothers, is 'Yes'. It is recommended that mothers who test positive for the coronavirus continue to breastfeed. Breast milk is very important in feeding the baby and strengthening the immune system. For this reason, it is recommended that babies be fed only with breast milk, especially in the first 6 months. Although mothers with coronavirus are worried about transmitting the virus to their babies through milk, experts state that mothers with Corona should continue to breastfeed. A few precautions to be taken during breastfeeding can prevent the transmission of the virus to the baby.
  
  Although the virus is not transmitted through breast milk, it can be spread through the respiratory tract in close contact with the mother. In the light of this information, it will be beneficial for the mother to provide hand hygiene before breastfeeding and to wear a mask during breastfeeding. Wearing masks or visors on babies; It is not one of the recommended practices as it may cause accidents such as suffocation in infants.
  

  Does the Prospective Mother with Covid-19 Affect the Mode of Delivery?

  Whether the birth is normal or cesarean section varies according to the medical condition of the patient. shows. Covid-19 alone does not require a cesarean delivery. The delivery time of a pregnant woman with coronavirus should be postponed until after the completion of the isolation period, if medically possible. However, if there is not enough time for this, birth can be performed under the necessary precautions. Don't pass the test because Covid-19 increases the risk of premature birth Pregnant women who have corona in the last period of pregnancy should be followed closely in terms of premature birth. Keeping the oxygen saturation of the pregnant woman 95% and above is very important for the baby to complete its development in the mother's womb. For this reason, oxygen support may be given to pregnant women whose prenatal saturation has decreased. In cases such as sudden deterioration in the clinical delivery of the mother, septic shock, acute organ failure, the pregnant can be taken to an emergency cesarean delivery. If the general condition of the mother is good and stable, vaginal delivery may be preferred.
  After birth, mother and baby contact should be ensured. Close contact with the mother is very important for the baby's development and feeling safe. For this reason, the mother's contact with the covid-19 patient should not be prevented. A mother-infant relationship can be established by taking appropriate precautions. The important thing here is that the mother provides hand hygiene before contact with the baby and wears a mask during contact. In the postpartum period, patients should be kept in single rooms if possible. If the mother needs painkillers, the first choice should be acetaminophen (paracetamol). Pregnant women need to minimize the risk of becoming infected with the coronavirus by taking all necessary precautions. Pregnant women who have taken the virus into their body and have become infected with Covid-19 should apply to health institutions and receive the necessary treatment. Pregnant women are advised not to delay their doctor's appointments due to the pandemic. Both maternal and infant health should be closely monitored during the entire pregnancy. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.

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