In times of lockdown and isolation, the comprehensive care of pregnant women and the recommendations to be followed have changed or been strengthened. Take note of the recommendations from our specialist.

If in “normal” times finding out that you would become a mother carried all kinds of beautiful feelings, in times of pandemic, uncertainty, and fear lurk, especially if there is a known case of coronavirus infection in newborn babies.

To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is no evidence that pregnant women have more risk of presenting severe COVID-19 or fetal compromise associated with the infection, nor of mother-child transmission. However, the comprehensive care of pregnant women and the recommendations for a safe pregnancy and delivery have varied or are more stringent

“Prenatal check-ups are now more spaced. The first check-up is suggested, approximately, with two weeks of menstrual delay, which is the sixth week of pregnancy. The next checkup is at week 12, to do a genetic ultrasound. Then week 20 or 22, which could be after two months”, explains Patricia Quispe, Gynecologist of our clinic. She adds that, after that week, this type of evaluation can take place every two months, depending on the evolution of the mother and if she is a risk patient or not.

In the event of a possible or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, mothers should postpone their routine visits to the health care center until the end of the isolation period. However, controls can be carried out by telephone or via the web. Today, services for pregnant women have also been digitized, some specialists even create groups on WhatsApp to organize video calls with their patients, explaining the different aspects of this stage: symptoms, risks, measures to take in case of bleeding, among others.

“Teleconsultations have been strengthened. For example, psychoprophylaxis is now done remotely; women and their partners can take virtual classes through Zoom which includes preparation for childbirth, exercises, and basic newborn care”, says the specialist.

Care also extends to the time of delivery, depending on the health care center you chose. Only a limited number of health care professionals can enter the delivery room, with all the biosafety equipment required by the current regulations.

The Ministry of Health outlines a series of basic care that every pregnant woman should consider:

• It is essential to avoid physical contact and do not approach people with cold symptoms. Also, it is not convenient to go out to the street or go to the market.
• She should be alert to symptoms such as fluid loss, fever, vomiting, discomfort when urinating, pain under the belly, shortness of breath.
• To ensure that the baby gets the necessary nutrients, she should eat four times a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack at mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
• At the time of delivery, she must go to the health care center with her ID, prenatal control card, birth plan, and bag with clothes for her and her baby.

Dr. Patricia Quispe
Gynecologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma