New Guidelines on COVID-19 During Pregnancy Issued by RCOG (UK)

While Chinese research has shown that there is no risk of infant coronavirus interaction linked with maternal coronavirus infection, RCOG, UK has issued new guidelines for pregnant mothers.  These guidelines have been suggested by the medical experts from the “Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists” (RCOG), the “Royal College of Midwives” and the “Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health” in collaboration with the “Royal College of Anaesthetists”, Public Health England and Health Protection Scotland.

These guidelines include the following.

• Pregnant women are studied not to transmit the infection to their unborn baby, but still, they are at high risk of coronavirus during their pregnancy.
• Pregnant women should take all necessary precautionary measures to avoid getting coronavirus infection during pregnancy.
• Any woman who suspects this infection or experiences mild symptoms before going to labor should consult their obstetric unit for planning birth and share this coronavirus suspicion with them.
• Although there is no evidence that could show if coronavirus could be transmitted to the baby through breast milk, there is a high chance that it could actually boost immunity and save the baby from coronavirus.

These guidelines are developed after studying the most recent statistical data on coronavirus spread. It covers all aspects leaving the least chance for the virus to infect pregnant women. The confirmed coronavirus cases in a mother during pregnancy need extreme neonatal care and medical attention.

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Dr. Edward Morris, the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) says this guideline has been developed to ensure that all maternity health units in the whole country provide accessible and safe medical care to the pregnant mother and her unborn baby.

The sudden increase in coronavirus cases in the world could only be controlled by minimizing the risk of people getting affected with coronavirus. This virus is a new pathogen not completely studied and there is limited data to suggest anything about it. the guideline is currently under review and opens for changes and suggestions if needed.

He says; “Over the coming weeks and months, it is likely pregnant women in the UK will test positive for coronavirus. While the data is currently limited it is reassuring that there is no evidence that the virus can pass to a baby during pregnancy.”

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CDC shares that there is insufficient data to suggest if pregnant women are at a greater risk of this infection or not. But it is obvious that pregnant women go through hormonal and developmental changes during this period. All such viruses that cause respiratory illness generally put pregnant women at a higher risk of being sick.

In order to prevent the risk of getting the coronavirus infection, pregnant women should take care of the following things.

• Cover when you sneeze or cough.
• Do not meet people who exhibit clear symptoms of the infection.
• Take care of your personal hygiene; frequently wash your hands with soap.

For more information, read the guidelines issued by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).