Pregnancy and Covid-19: How long should you wait?
About the article Published on September 30, 2020 in The New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Duque Frischkorn makes this reflection on the pregnancy and Covid 19.
After reading this, I begin to reflect. My first memory is a conversation I had in March of this year with a colleague and good friend from college who works as an intensive care physician in London. Aside from years of classes at the college and internships in various hospital departments, we have enjoyed interesting trips and endless conversations. He called me for advice, as he wanted to try for his second child. My immediate response was to wait a bit, given the limited information we had at the time.
Pregnancy and Covid-19: What does the article published in The New England Journal of Medicine?
Fundamentally, this article gives us a historical overview of the comportamiento of Contemporary Medicine in the face of the emergence of new diseases; HIV, Zika, and even the more recent SARS-CoV-2 virus. In all of these cases, the first automatic, even instinctive, action is to recommend avoiding pregnancy until more information is available that can provide reassurance.
In both the 1 H1N2009 influenza and Zika virus outbreaks, pregnancy was initially advised against in affected areas. However, efforts soon shifted to educate to women and their doctors on two essential topics:
- The forms of prevent the infection
- and the importance of early treatment.
We now have much more information thanks to the efforts of healthcare institutions in many countries and the immediate sharing of it. This verified scientific information should guide our actions. We support the calls from various scientific societies that are once again requesting The lancet.
It is essential to create agreed protocols to care for patients at the hospital level, in the delivery room, in the delivery room and in Neonatology. This is how they are designed in our Ruber International Hospital.
Pregnancy and Covid-19: Is it a risk?
Studies indicate that pregnant women They do not seem to have a greater ease in contracting the infection nor to present serious complications.
However, it is essential recognize patients at risk for having diseases such as asthma, diabetes or hypertension to be treated as a priority.
Effects of Covid-19 on fetuses
At the fetal level, the contagion within the uterus through the placenta or during childbirth is practically nonexistentThere is no evidence of uterine malformations or increased risk of miscarriage.
What happens with breastfeeding?
Following the recommendation of the majority of national and international scientific societies (CDC, RCOG, SEGO, Ministry of Health), if the maternal and neonatal status allows it, it is recommended that promote breastfeeding. Even during the period of infectious risk.
How to breastfeed after a positive Covid-19 test
- Strict measures must be taken isolation.
- Use of mask surgical.
- Proper handwashing before and after contact.
- Cleaning of the skin at the breast level and of the surfaces that may be in contact.
- An alternative would be the use of breast pump for individual use with strict hygiene measures.
The final decision on the type of breastfeeding should be a consensus between the patient and the neonatologists based on the scientific knowledge of each moment and the health status of the mother and the newborn.
Thrombosis and Covid-19 in pregnant women
Yes, we know of the high risk of thrombosis from both the Covid infection and the pregnancy itself, therefore after delivery it is essential to prevention with anticoagulants depending on the intensity and duration of the symptoms, age and weight of the patient.
Conclusion: no need to wait
In short, my dear colleague, I have no reason to advise you against expanding your family. Yes, take good care of yourselves.Wash your hands frequently, avoid risky situations as much as possible, and wear a mask until we can talk about the Covid-19 pandemic in the past tense.
Article published by the Dr. Alfonso Duque Frischkorn.
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If you found this article interesting and would like to be seen by a professional expert in Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Women's Unit at Ruber International Hospital has a specialized unit in this area. You can request more information by calling 917303673. make an appointment for an in-person consultation Or make an appointment for an online consultation if you prefer remote consultations—always with the best specialists.