Pregnancy can sometimes be an uncertain and stressful period in the best of circumstances.
But during a pandemic, that anxiety can quickly multiply and worry pregnant mums even more. The risks of the COVID-19 pandemic are especially higher for pregnant mums as they may experience more severe symptoms of the illness. Therefore, it is important that pregnant mums take extra precautions to protect themselves to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
But what are the must-knows or steps that can be taken to lower the risks that the COVID-19 virus might pose to the mum or her developing fetus?
On this episode of AskMeDoctor!, we have Dr Victor Chin, a Gynaecologist & Obstetrician from Columbia Asia Hospital – Cheras, who will answer some of the questions and give us some useful advice on navigating a safe and healthy pregnancy as we enter into the new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q1: What are the risks for me and my foetus if I catch COVID-19 during my pregnancy?
Dr Victor Chin: During pregnancy, as the uterus gets bigger, the lungs’ capacity or the lungs’ volume reduces as the uterus size gets bigger. Therefore, if you have COVID-19 and the COVID-19 is involving the lungs, the mother might find it difficult to breathe.
Especially when they get into Category 4 or 5, where they might need ventilatory support. They might have to be bedridden for a long time in the ICU; receiving oxygen or mechanical ventilation. So, in some ways, COVID-19 infections do increase morbidity and mortality for mums.
In many instances, the foetus might have to be brought out earlier, just to alleviate the symptoms and to allow the mums to be able to breathe like usual again.
Q2: What extra precautions should I take to protect myself from getting COVID-19 while pregnant?
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Vaccination
Dr Victor Chin: The most popular method is definitely to get yourself vaccinated. Vaccination is the most important method to break the chain of the transmission.
Not only does it break the chain of the transmission, but even if you get the infection, the symptoms will be relatively milder and there have been studies showing that even if pregnant mums get the infection, the rate of mortality is less than 1% and the chances of getting admitted into intensive care are relatively lower as well.
That’s the number one precaution; vaccination.
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Hygiene
Number two, the hygienic precautions. Make sure that you wash your hands and try not to get into crowded areas, put on a mask and try to hang out in the open areas, if possible.
- Wash your hands
- Avoid crowded areas
- Keep your mask on
- Hang out in open areas
I think our Ministry of Health (MOH) and our government have been doing a great job in delineating all the standard operating procedures (SOPs). As long as we follow the SOPs, I think we should be alright.
Q3: Which COVID-19 vaccines are safe for pregnant mums?
Dr Victor Chin: All vaccines are safe.
Initially, at the very beginning of this pandemic, we had issues in terms of the safety of the vaccines. Therefore, initially, the plan was to only give the vaccine between 33 to 40 weeks of pregnancy.
However, as time moves on and things keep changing, the latest guidelines have been saying that any point of time during the pregnancy is suitable for COVID-19’s vaccination and they are all safe, regardless of the time or the brand of the vaccines.
They work differently but eventually the aim is the same. They might have a different mechanism, but at the end of the day, the objective is the same.
Q4: When is the best time to get vaccinated during pregnancy?
Dr Victor Chin: Anytime. As soon as you get pregnant or anytime during the pregnancy, you should get vaccinated.
Q5: I heard that some people had reactions after vaccination. Are these dangerous in pregnancy?
Dr Victor Chin: The usual reactions would be quite mild like:
- Sore arms
- Bleeding at the injection side
- Fever
- Chills
- Feeling tired
But so far, there are no symptoms or complications or side effects or adverse effects to the point where it jeopardises the health of the mother and the foetus.
I still believe that vaccines are the best way to go for the protection from COVID-19 in mothers.
Q6: How can I lower my stress as a pregnant mum during COVID-19?
Just keep yourself healthy and happy by doing what you like. Stay away from crowded areas, if possible. Just enjoy the journey of your pregnancy. Get vaccinated! And, you will have a healthy and happy foetus.
Enfamama A+
To ensure that you are taking care of yourself, please take all the necessary nutrition that you need or even better, supplement yourself with Enfamama A+.
For pregnant mums, the growing baby’s brain development begins while he is still a fetus. With the proper nutrition right from the start of your pregnancy, you can help to boost your developing baby’s growth and physical development.
Enfamama A+ is high in folic acid that is essential for the growth and division of cells. It is also specially formulated to help meet expert recommended daily DHA intake*.
In just two servings per day, this maternal milk can give you the highest levels of Choline**, calcium, vitamin D, iron and inulin that are good for the body and fetus.
*In 2 servings per day
*For adult pregnant and locating females, the minimum intake for optimal adult health and fetal and child development is 300mg/d EPA+DHA, of which at least 200mg/d should be DHA. Reference: FAO 2010. Fats and fatty acids in human nutrition. Report of an expert consultation. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper no.91, FAO: Rome.
**Compared to other maternal milk brands in the market as of Sept 2017 (Enfamama A+ Choline levels: 560mg per 100g powder)
Stay tuned to watch our next episode of AskMeDoctor! on Motherhood Story. Feel free to leave your questions in the comment section on our Facebook page.