Tips for pregnant women to keep safe during the pandemic
So, what can expecting moms do to protect their health and avoid contracting the virus? Beer says that it starts with the routine precautionary measures – always wear a face mask; wash hands regularly; clean all surfaces you come in contact with; stay six feet away from others. But there are also two more very important things that women can do to safeguard themselves from the virus.
Dr. Natalia Beer, Technical Advisor, Maternal & Child Health Unit
“We want to stress on two more for pregnant women. Stay at home and we know if pregnant women are working currently, well yes they have to go to their workplace, but stay at home mean if you are at home and you need something from the store; don’t go to the store, stores are usually crowded with people. And some people wear mask and maybe some may wear it but not the adequate way. So get a family member to run the errands. So pregnant women we have to avoid to the maximum to get infected with COVID 19. So stay at home is very important. The next recommendation for pregnant women: please stay away from sick persons. At this point in the pandemic here in Belize, ever person is a COVIED 19 until proven otherwise, so please stay away from sick persons. To date we have 9 pregnant women diagnosed with COVDI 19, one of them was a repatriated case, she is recovered and then we have 8 cases that were diagnosed as a close contact of a positive case. So we have 2 cases in Corozal, 2 cases ion Orange Walk, 4 in Belize District of which 3 have delivered already, 1 in Stann Creek, Cayo and Toledo have zero cases among pregnant women.”
Beer says that there is documentation that fever grass; onion; ginger; lime and garlic may be useful to consume because of their anti-inflammatory properties. Other supplements recommended include magnesium, vitamins C and D. If you have a high risk pregnancy and have severe signs and symptoms expecting mothers are asked to communicate with their healthcare worker and to attend regularly scheduled check-ups. However, if you are low-risk, you are to communicate by phone to reduce the risk of exposure at health facilities.
