Planning a pandemic pregnancy? A fertility expert shares tips to keep in mind

The coronavirus pandemic has become the defining global health crisis of our time. The pandemic has exposed everyone’s vulnerable side and unfortunately, pregnant women are no exception. 

Hence, women planning a pregnancy in the middle of a pandemic might have doubts regarding whether they should delay their pregnancy until after the pandemic. Well, the good news is that there are no compelling reasons to do so. Simply stating, for women who are pregnant, the primary recommendation is to avoid getting infected and strictly adhere to all the guidelines. 

Prenatal and postpartum care

It’s important that you take care of yourself and your baby, during and after pregnancy. Here are some of the precautions you can take during the Covid-19 pandemic:

1. Get in touch with your healthcare provider to know what all necessary steps to take regarding your pregnancy, especially in the light of Covid-19.
2. Ensure that you are proactive with your appointments and that they are scheduled virtually in most cases. 

Don’t risk exposure to Covid-19

Expecting mothers should stay at home and avoid the risk of getting exposed to the pandemic. However,  staying inside the house at all times can  lead to anxiety and restlessness, however, for your health and the health of the baby, it’s important that you stay calm and safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. To stay relaxed and secure from COVID, you may consider:

• Staying home whenever you can or maintaining a distance of six feet from people when you’re outdoors.
• Keeping your hands sanitized with soap or sanitizer, especially after exposure to any foreign objects.
• Talking to someone you feel you can trust, be it your partner, a family member or a friend.
• Exploring ways to relax your mind and inner self through yoga or meditation.

Your diet matters

Healthy food is a key factor for both pregnant women & babies. Your meals should include protein, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, fiber and fluids. 

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Besides nutrition, pregnant women should keep a tight note on maintaining their hygiene. Remember to cough into your elbow and not in your palm. In case you cough into a tissue, dispose of it off properly and try to gargle with lukewarm salt water once or twice a day. It’s important to maintain hand, face and respiratory hygiene, along with social distancing for wholesome wellbeing.

Lifestyle changes to keep in mind

Leading a healthy lifestyle can bring a world of change to everyone’s life.  For pregnant women, the hormonal imbalance could cause anxiety, so including pranayama & meditations into your schedule will calm your anxiety. Try to stay away from the negative news, social media or phone and connect with your close ones to share your feelings. 

The situation is grim outside, so try to be careful because of the high susceptibility to several viruses which are caused due to immunosuppression associated with pregnancy. If needed, immediately consult your doctor.

So, stay at home, eat healthy and don’t worry as times may be a little challenging right now but this too shall pass.