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Covid-19 and Pregnancy: We’re still learning



Public Health and medical groups are closely monitoring the risks for pregnant women

COVID-19, pregnant, guidelines

The United Nations estimates that 360,000 babies are born each day. That is a staggering number of pregnant women dealing not only with the strains of carrying a baby, but during one of the most trying times in our recent history.

Plenty of health organizations continue to study the potential risk for both mother and baby. Pregnancy-specific data is limited, says a recent report by the March of Dimes, and there are still some unknowns such as whether or not pregnant women have a higher chance of contracting the disease compared to the rest of the general population and how ill they can get. There is, however, a belief that the risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 is higher for those pregnant.

Questions that the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics continue to study include:
  • What complications can be expected for mother and baby if COVID is diagnosed? 
  • Are babies at risk of contracting COVID? 
  • What to do if mom with COVID goes into labor? 
  • How to care for mom with COVID after childbirth? 
  • Can a new mom breastfeed if diagnosed with COVID?
Until these questions are answered, pregnant moms need to follow the same guidelines as everyone else:
  • Practice social distancing. Stay at home. Keep 6 feet away and remember that those without symptoms can spread the virus. 
  • Stay at home if sick and avoid contact with those who show symptoms. 
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your arm. Throw used tissues away immediately. Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth. 
  • Wash hands with soap and water before touching anyone. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Use enough hand sanitizer so that it takes at least 20 seconds for hands to dry. 
  • Clean and disinfect objects you touch regularly and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 
  • When around others, wear a cloth face cover to protect nose and mouth.


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