Corona virus infection in pregnant women can not only cause severe symptoms in the mother, but also poses a risk of harm to the baby they are carrying. Therefore, preventive measures need to be taken so that pregnant women are not easily infected with the Corona virus.
If pregnant women require a COVID-19 examination, click the link below so that pregnant women can be directed to the nearest health facility:
- Rapid Test Antibodies
- Antigen Swab (Rapid Test Antigen)
- PCR
Corona virus or SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that attacks the respiratory system. This virus is transmitted from human to human. Transmission from animals is possible, but no animal has been found that can transmit this virus.
Corona virus infection is characterized by several symptoms, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In severe conditions, this viral infection can cause acute respiratory failure, severe pneumonia (lung infection), pulmonary edema, organ failure, and even death.
Facts About Corona Virus Infection in Pregnant Women
Experts are still studying the effect of COVID-19 or Corona virus infection on pregnant women. However, changes in the immune system that occur during pregnancy can make pregnant women more susceptible to Corona virus infection and more at risk of experiencing severe and fatal disease symptoms.
In addition, the high fever that occurs due to COVID-19 in the first trimester of pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects in children.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is from the same group of viruses as the virus that causes it severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
Based on past events, pregnant women with SARS or MERS are also at higher risk of miscarriage or giving birth to premature babies. This incident can also occur in pregnant women with COVID-19, but there are still very few reports of its occurrence.
So far, the main transmission of the Corona virus is through splashing saliva on coughing or sneezing. There is no clear data regarding the transmission of the Corona virus from mother to fetus during pregnancy or during childbirth. However, from recent cases, babies born to mothers with COVID-19 have not tested positive for the virus.
If pregnant women feel symptoms or have recently traveled to infected countries, such as China, South Korea, and Italy, pregnant women can click on the image below to find out if they are at risk of being infected with the Corona virus.
How to Prevent Corona Virus Infection in Pregnant Women
A decreased immune system during pregnancy causes pregnant women to be more alert to the Corona virus. Here are some steps you can take to prevent Corona virus infection in pregnant women:
Washing hands
Getting used to washing hands using water and soap can prevent Corona virus infection in pregnant women. Washing your hands properly can kill viruses and germs on your hands. After that, dry your hands using a tissue, clean towel, or hand dryer.
If there is no water and soap, pregnant women can use hand sanitizer.hand sanitizer with a minimum alcohol content of 60% is quite effective for eradicating germs on hands.
Maintain endurance
Corona virus infection in pregnant women can be prevented with a good immune system. In order to have a strong immune system, pregnant women are advised to eat healthy foods, such as vegetables, fruit, and foods high in protein.
Pregnant women can also take supplements or prenatal vitamins as recommended by a doctor to increase endurance and maintain health. In addition, exercising regularly and getting enough rest is also important to increase endurance.
Wearing a mask when traveling
Pregnant women are advised to wear a mask when they are near sick people or in a crowd. Examples of masks that can prevent transmission of the Corona virus are surgical masks and N95 masks. In addition to wearing masks, pregnant women are also advised to maintain a distance of approximately 1 meter from people who are coughing and sneezing.
Pregnant women need to be more alert to COVID-19, because Corona virus infection in pregnant women can cause severe symptoms and impacts, both for the mother and the fetus.
Pregnant women can avoid Corona virus infection by simple ways, such as washing hands and wearing masks. In addition, do not forget to regularly check with the doctor so that the health of the body and pregnancy is maintained. The schedule for pregnancy check-ups during the COVID-19 outbreak may be limited to a minimum. However, this schedule will still be adjusted to the condition of pregnant women and fetuses.
Early symptoms of Corona virus infection can feel like a common cold cough or fatigue. If you are still in doubt whether the complaints that pregnant women experience lead to Corona virus infection or not. If you are still in doubt whether the complaints that pregnant women experience lead to Corona virus infection or not, pregnant women can chat doctors directly in the Alodokter application, as well as making consultation appointments with doctors at the hospital through this application.
