CAN PREGNANT WOMEN WEAR MASK ?

Pregnant women with COVID-19, who have pre-existing medical conditions, like diabetes or chronic high vital sign, or those that are older or overweight, also are more likely to suffer severe health complications thanks to COVID-19. The research says all people, including pregnant women, can wear masks once they are public to slow the spread of COVID-19. Wearing of the mask is recommended because studies have shown that folks can spread the virus before showing any symptoms.

                                      ARE FACE MASKS SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?

Worldwide, many pregnant women wear masks at work, including the widely used N95 respirator with a filtering mask. The N95 respirator restricts normal airflow, so a lady may need to breathe harder while wearing it. A question that arises in our mind, does an N95 filtering mask put more physical stress on a pregnant woman who wears it?

But the research says whether pregnant women who wear an N95 respirator have different health effects than women who are not pregnant. Researchers took steps to make sure that the tests did not themselves create a risk for harm. They monitored 16 pregnant and 16 non-pregnant voluntary participants for pulse rate, pressure level, fetal pulse, and other indicators of heart and lung function. The research includes an hour of alternating sitting, standing, and moderate exercise on a stationary bicycle, both with and without a filtering mask.

However, both pregnant and non-pregnant women wearing the respirator mask had a mild—but significant—increase within the heart resting or pressure. The provisional increase did not affect heart and lung function, so it is unlikely to cause health problems in healthy women.

     HOW CAN PREGNANT WOMEN SAVE THEMSELVES FROM GETTING COVID-19?

Pregnant women should do similar things in the general public to avoid infection. You will help stop the spread of COVID-19 by taking these actions-

• Cover your cough (using your elbow may be a useful technique).

• Avoid people that are sick.

• Clean your hands often using alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water.

• Stay at home or a minimum of six feet faraway from people who do not sleep in your home.

• Avoid public gatherings and individuals with symptoms.

• Maintain an appropriate social distance (6 feet) and wear a mask if you will not maintain distance.

• FAQ –

• What if I am a pregnant health care worker exposed to Coronavirus?

Ans- At present, pregnant patients should observe similar precautions and procedures. All other healthcare workers are instructed to look after their employee health or infection prevention and control departments for guidance on PPE.

• CAN COVID-19 CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR A PREGNANCY?

Ans- We do not know at this point if COVID-19 would cause problems during pregnancy or affect the health of the baby after birth. It is essential to possess an idea in place and brace oneself for you and your family's best health. Do not panic, but know enough and stay informed to understand when the time is right, if necessary, to take proper action.