There are but a few more exciting moments to couples compared to the pregnancy period. However, being expectant when the world is experiencing a pandemic can be very worrisome. COVID-19—as it is now known—is quite deadly, and what’s even more frightening is that it can infect anyone.
We are all worried about this disaster and how long we can maintain our collective well-being. Perhaps what is more agonising is the fact that scientists have yet to understand this SARS-CoV-2 strain fully. As a result, it has raised many questions among pregnant women.
Are they more susceptible to the virus? Is the fetus at risk of being infected, too? Can an infected mother breastfeed without risking the life of the baby? All these are some of the unanswered queries on how the Coronavirus affects pregnant women.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pregnant women have a similar infection rate as the general population. It is, however, worth noting that all this information is based on the current results and will be updated if anything changes. Today, we are going to tackle one of the most asked post-pregnancy questions during the COVID-19 pandemic: What will happen to your baby if you give birth while infected with the Coronavirus?
I Have Given Birth—What Next?
WHO states that it is still not sure whether COVID-19 can be passed from a pregnant mother to the fetus. As far as research is concerned, no traces of the SARS-CoV-2 strain have been found in any sample of amniotic fluid. Therefore, if this information is to go by, then your newborn baby is safe and sound. Isn’t that worth a smile in this era of fear and uncertainties?
More research is still being done, but as it stands, it seems breastmilk is also uninfected. That means the baby can feed on it regardless of your Coronavirus status. However, it is essential to put several precautions in place to avoid transmitting the virus to the baby through other channels. Remember, close contact with an infected person is very risky.
That said, experts recommend that the mother and the baby avoid sharing the same room. Yes, we understand that it can be quite painful for you as the mother not to have the baby in your arms. But this is for the greater good of his or her life. If your partner is healthy, they can take care of the baby as you receive treatment.
Maybe you are wondering how long you will be separated from your baby. Well, this depends on your condition. So far, there are thousands of people who have recovered from COVID-19, which is good news. Some mothers have had their health improve within three days, while others take longer.
One of the guiding factors used by doctors in such scenarios is the severity of the symptoms. However, this can be risky since there have been cases where asymptomatic patients have transmitted the disease. As such, the only sure method is by doing tests. If your results come out negative after two consecutive tests, then that means your baby will be safe around you.
What If Both The Baby And Mother Test Positive?
There are rare cases where the baby also tests positive after birth. It is hard to say how this can happen since no conclusive evidence has been brought forth. Nonetheless, there is no cause for panic if you find yourself dealing with such a situation.
Doctors across the globe have been trained to deal with all possibilities, and this is one of them. You can breastfeed your baby without any issues. As a mother, it will be your duty to observe the symptoms and know whether there are any changes.
If your health or that of your baby’s starts deteriorating, a doctor or nurse should be alerted immediately. There is no reliable evidence to show that your baby may suffer any complications after being infected. However, in the worst-case scenario, it is vital to seek medical advice from your doctor. Are you a low-income mother and not sure how you’ll manage after-birth complications? Well, there are several services tailored to help you. Click here to read more.
Final Remarks
The Coronavirus has hit every continent in the world, and we are not sure if the worst is behind us. Bringing a new life to the family is one of the few things we can smile about. As such, it is essential to take care of every newborn so that they don’t become victims of this pandemic.
