How Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Facing COVID-19?

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The SARS-Cov-2 virus pandemic, which was later called COVID-19, made all people aware of its rapid spread. This is including the Indonesian guidelines for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 that are widespread in the media. But what about certain groups such as pregnant and breastfeeding women in dealing with COVID-19? Here are some recommendations that have been reviewed from WHO, UNICEF, the Indonesian government and research for pregnant and breastfeeding women in anticipation of COVID-19.

• Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to prevent COVID-19 as much as possible by:

  1. Washing hands regularly with soap

  2. Use antiseptic if soap and water are not available

  3. Covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or inner arm, then wash hands with soap and water

  4. Maintain a minimum distance of 1 meter, especially with people who are sick

  5. Avoid touching face, eyes, nose, and mouth with dirty hands

  6. Avoid shaking hands

  7. Avoiding crowds, gatherings and traveling

  8. Maintain a diet with high consumption of protein, vegetables and fruits, and multivitamins

  9. The recommended multivitamin for pregnant and breastfeeding mother is a supplement containing folic acid, iron, iodine, vitamin C and vitamin B complex such as Folamil or Blackmores Pregnancy

• If pregnant women experience symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, contact health care provider immediately for further treatment

• If the pregnant woman is confirmed positive for COVID-19:

  1. Provide clear information to health workers, especially, regarding complaints and estimate delivery dates

  2. Still must be accompanied during labor

  3. Given the right pain relief

  4. There is no need for a cesarean section if there are no complications

  5. If possible, the birth schedule has been determined by vaginal birth with the help of induction to prevent fatigue

  6. Although there have been no cases which indicate that a COVID-19 positive mother will give birth to a positive baby, if the baby is born showing symptoms of COVID-19, the baby should be treated in a neonatal intensive care unit and must be isolated

• For positive breastfeeding mothers COVID-19:

  1. The SARS-Cov-2 or COVID-19 virus is not detected in breast milk so there is no prohibition on breastfeeding babies

  2. Avoid things that can transmit the virus such as washing hands before breastfeeding and holding the baby, and using a mask when breastfeeding

  3. If the mother is worried about transmitting the virus to her baby, can pump breast milk and give it to the baby in a clean and hygienic place or look for breast milk donors

  4. Routinely clean the surface of objects with disinfectant

As additional information, until now researchers and experts are still studying the complications caused by COVID-19 in pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is not yet clear whether pregnant women who are positive for COVID-19 infection can transmit the virus into their fetuses or not

Writer : Ardina Ulya Editor : Iqmi Qaisah Ali, Mazidatun Maftukhah, M. Billy Ryan Putra Translator : Mazidatun Maftukhah