Verified By Apollo Pulmonologist August 3, 2020
5210Biggest concerns of most of the pregnant women and lactating mothers are about how this virus affects them, including their unborn or newborn children, and whether a COVID-19 positive mother can breastfeed her newborn baby or not, respectively.
Pregnant women are considered a vulnerable population who are at risk of viral respiratory infections, such as seasonal flu and COVID-19. As there is no vaccine against COVID-19 infection, standard primary preventive actions are recommended for pregnant women. This includes frequent hand hygiene, social distancing and avoiding contact with COVD-19 suspects, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). At present, although research is limited, experts do not see evidence that the virus can be transmitted from mother and affect the baby.
Yes! COVID-19 positive mothers can breastfeed their babies if they wish to do so. However, they should:
Breast milk gives protection to most infants against many illnesses and is the best source of nutrition for babies. Disruption of breastfeeding can lead to a decrease in protective immune factors found in breast milk.
COVID-19 has not been detected in breast milk till now. However, experts are still not sure whether COVID-19 positive mothers can spread the virus through their breast milk.
It is important that lactating and breastfeeding mothers consume Zinc and Vitamin C. It is also important that they stay well-hydrated all through as they sweat a lot.
If you are a lactating and breastfeeding mother, here’s what you can do to protect and prepare yourself during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related Article: Impact of COVID-19 on Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers
There is no study or evidence, at present that says pregnant women are at higher risk of severe illness compared to non-pregnant women.
However, owing to changes in their bodies and immune systems, they are vulnerable to get more affected by some respiratory infections. Therefore, they must take proper precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19, and report any potential symptoms (fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) to their doctor or healthcare centre immediately.
In order to safeguard the mother, the child and the caregivers, it is advised that all pregnant women be tested for COVID-19 before their delivery. However, eligibility and testing protocols differ depending on your current location. The WHO strongly recommends that pregnant
women with COVID-19 symptoms should be prioritized for testing. If a pregnant woman is tested positive for COVID-19, she may need specialised care.
We still do not know this. Although research is limited, available data (till date), does not show that the virus can be transmitted to unborn or newborn babies from mothers during pregnancy or delivery. So far, COVID-19 virus was not found in the samples of breastmilk or amniotic fluid.
Yes! Early, exclusive breastfeeding and close contact with mother helps a baby to thrive. WHO recommends pregnant woman should be supported to:
The pregnant woman should wash her hands before and after touching her baby and keep all frequently touched surfaces clean.
According to WHO, if a lactating mother infected with COVID-19 or other complications is too unwell to breastfeed her baby, she should be supported to safely offer her baby with breastmilk in a convenient, possible way that is acceptable to her. This may include:
All pregnant women and those suspected or confirmed with COVID-19, should be provided with good care before, during and after delivery, including antenatal, postnatal, newborn, intrapartum and mental health care. A safe and positive childbirth experience as per WHO includes:
If COVID-19 infection is suspected or is confirmed, care providers should take all suitable precautions to reduce infection risks to themselves and others. This includes hand hygiene, as well as proper use of protective clothing like the gown, medical mask and gloves.
No. The WHO recommends that C-Sections (caesarean sections) should only be done when it is medically justified. The mode of birth should be customised and based on the woman’s preferences together with obstetric indications.
The content is verified and reviewd by experienced practicing Pulmonologist to ensure that the information provided is current, accurate and above all, patient-focused