(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: The Women's Services team at Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, advice pregnant women and addresses some common questions about COVID-19.
'There is currently limited information about the effects of COVID-19 on pregnant women. However, since pregnant women experience changes in their bodies, this may increase their risk of some infections and getting sicker, compared to the general population. Premature births have been reported among infants born to mothers that caught the COVID-19 virus during pregnancy, however, it is not clear that these outcomes were related to maternal infection. As with the current advice related to COVID-19, we recommend pregnant women follow the guidelines from Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and keep in regular contact with their healthcare provider, said the Women's Services team at Sidra Medicine.
To reduce the risk of catching COVID-19, the experts urge pregnant women to follow general instructions including maintaining personal hand hygiene and keep social distance.
They also advice to call Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) hotline 16000, if a person is pregnant and have exposed to COVID -19 virus.
The Women's Services team at Sidra Medicine says that in case if a pregnant women and currently in self-isolation for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are adviced to call and delay the appointment antenatal clinic. But if the appointment is urgent and the necessary arrangements will be made to see the patient. It is still unknown at this time if COVID-19 would cause problems during pregnancy or affect the health of the baby after birth. Early/ Premature births have been reported among infants born to mothers that caught the COVID-19 virus during pregnancy however, it is not clear that these outcomes were related to pregnancy infection.
'If you have any of the above concerns during your self-isolation period, call Qatar's MOPH Hotline 16000 and you may be advised to go to a MOPH designated site for pregnancy related care, said the Women's Services team at Sidra Medicine.
Pregnant women on self-isolation or those who have been exposed and have COVID-19 symptoms are advised not to visit Obstetrics triage or an Outpatient Clinic unless in need of urgent medical care.
If you are a Sidra Medicine patient and would like to speak to one of our obstetricians, please call 40031419 for further advice.
'There is currently no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 may affect how you may give birth. Your original birth plan should be followed as closely as possible and based on your wishes. However, if you have severe breathing difficulty indicating urgent delivery, then a cesarean birth may be recommended, said experts at Sidra Medicine. 'There is no evidence that women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cannot have an epidural or a spinal block. However, the use of gas and air (Entonox =Nitrous Oxide) may increase the spread of the virus via aerosolization and is not recommended. Therefore other options may be discussed, they said.
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