It has been exactly a week since the circuit breaker was in effect. School children are learning from home while parents have been busier than ever due to the numerous roles they are assuming. One major takeaway from this experience is that many things are out of our control. If you are pregnant during this period, don’t be too hard on yourself because you definitely did not plan for this pandemic to happen.
To date, there is no evidence to support that infected pregnant women are at an increased risk of miscarriage or transmitting the virus to the baby in the womb. In fact, there is no evidence that the virus passes through breastmilk. Nevertheless, pregnant women are classified as “high risk” group alongside with people over 70 and people with underlying health conditions like, for one, Asthma. The real risk, however, for immunocompromised pregnant women is developing diseases like pneumonia and then going into respiratory distress.
Pregnancy is stressful for most women at the best of times and one can only imagine what it is like for pregnant mothers during this time. But don’t fret! You are not in this alone and whether this is your first pregnancy or not, here are some tips for you to cope with Covid-19:
1. Go with the flow
Learn to accept the reality and adapt to the new “normal”. While the crisis is beyond our control, what we do have control over is how we let it affect us. This is an early lesson on uncertainties and parenthood, which sooner or later you will be experiencing.
2. Minimise contact with people
At this point, every Singaporean is mandated to stay home which is a great effort by the government. Even prior to this, you should already be practicing self-isolation for the safety of yourself and your baby. In addition, good hygiene practices and cough etiquette should also be exercised.
3. Don’t miss your appointments
Hospitals and healthcare centres may be the last place you want to visit during this period but the nature of prenatal care is very “hands-on”, especially in the third trimester. So, be consistent with your appointments and remember to call in to make proper arrangements with your Gynae. Besides putting on a face mask and gloves as precautionary measures, another tip is to check with the front desk regarding the crowd in the clinic before heading over.
4. Stick to your plans
You may be panicking about the possibilities of getting infected at a hospital during childbirth and therefore, making a rash decision to deliver your baby at home. Firstly, home births are not an option for everyone. Secondly, last-minute changes to birth plans is often where things go wrong. To avoid unnecessary havoc, it is best to stick to your initial plan unless you are advised otherwise.
5. Prioritise mental health
Apart from ensuring your baby is healthy, your mental health is equally important. Take this opportunity to learn about self-care; loosen any expectations you have of what childbirth and motherhood is “supposed” to be because times are changing.
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