HEALTHIER YOU: COVID and pregnancy

COVID and pregnancy

BY DR. ANNETTE MAYES, OB/GYN

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are at an increased risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19, compared to women who are not pregnant. Additionally, pregnant women with COVID-19 might be at increased risk for other adverse outcomes, such as preterm birth (delivering the baby earlier than 37 weeks).

There is virtually no realistic path to zero risk of COVID-19 infection, so it is important to know how to be as safe as possible. In general, the more people are around, the closer you interact with them, and the longer that interaction, the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Consider the level of risk when deciding whether or not to go out or interact with people who do not live with you during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The best way to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to:

• Limit interaction with people who might have been exposed to or might be infected with COVID-19 — including people within your household, as much as possible.
• Take steps to prevent getting COVID-19 when you do interact with others.
• Wear a mask, especially when you cannot keep distance from other people. Avoid others who are not wearing masks or ask others around you to wear a mask
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others outside your household.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid activities where taking these steps might be difficult.

If you contract COVID-19 you might want to get doctor recommended vaccines during your pregnancy. This may help protect you and your baby. The whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy might help protect your baby against whooping cough, which can have similar symptoms to COVID-19.

Current evidence suggests that the risk of a newborn getting COVID-19 from their mother is low, especially when the mother takes steps (such as wearing a mask and her washing hands) to prevent spread before and during care of the newborn.

For more information, call Las Vegas All Women’s Care at (702) 522-9640. Or visit us at 700 Shadow Lane #165 in Las Vegas.