Pregnancy doesn’t increase risk of Covid-19 infection: Health Ministry

The Union Health Ministry has prepared a factsheet to guide frontline workers and vaccinators on counselling pregnant women about the value and precautions of the Covid19 vaccine so that they can make an informed decisionAlthough more than 90 per cent infected pregnant women recover without any need for hospitalisation rapid deterioration in health may occur in a few and that might affect the foetus also the document saidIt is therefore advised that a pregnant woman should take Covid19 vaccine it saidHowever pregnancy does not increase the risk of Covid19 infection the document stressedAlso Read 795 poor get jabs at Archdiocese of Bombayrsquos campsSymptomatic pregnant women appear to be at an increased risk of severe disease and death In case of severe disease like all other patients pregnant women shall also need hospitalisationPregnant women with underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure obesity age over 35 years are at a higher risk of severe illness due to Covid19 the fact sheet saidAccording to the document a frontline worker or a vaccinator needs to counsel pregnant women about the availability value and precautions of the vaccineThis note provides you with the information that you need to educate and support pregnant women so that they can make an informed decision about getting the Covid19 vaccine the note said The note is structured in the form of questionsanswers to make it easier for frontline workers to inform pregnant women and their families about the most important issues related to Covid19 vaccination in pregnant womenThe note stated that over 95 per cent newborns of Covid19 positive mothers have been in good condition at birthIn some cases Covid19 infections in pregnancy may increase the possibility of premature delivery the babys weight might be less than 25 kg and in rare situations the baby might die before birth it saidIt said pregnant women older than 35 years of age obese having a preexisting illness such as diabetes or high blood pressure and having a history of clotting in the limbs are at a higher risk of developing complications after Covid19 infectionIn case a woman has been infected with Covid19 during the current pregnancy then she should be vaccinated soon after the delivery the document statedOn the side effects of the Covid19 vaccines the factsheet stated that the vaccines available are safe and vaccination protects pregnant women against Covid19 illnessdisease like other individualsLike any medicine a vaccine may have side effects which are normally mild After getting the vaccine injection a pregnant woman can get mild fever pain at the injection site or feel unwell for 13 days The longterm adverse effects and safety of the vaccine for foetus and child is not established yetVery rarely one in 15 lakh persons the pregnant women may experience some symptoms within 20 days after getting the Covid19 vaccination which may require immediate attention it saidSymptoms occurring within 20 days after receiving any Covid19 vaccine may include shortness of breath difficulty in breathing persistent abdominal pain with or without vomiting pain in limbspain on pressing limbs or swelling in the limb small pinpoint haemorrhages or bruising of skin beyond the injection site weaknessparalysis of limbs or any particular side of the body severe and persistent headaches with or without vomiting in absence of history of migraine or chronic headacheSeizures with or without vomiting in the absence of previous history of seizures among others are possibleIn order to protect themselves and those around from spreading the Covid19 infection pregnant woman and her family members should practice Covid19 appropriate behaviour like wearing a double mask practising frequent hand hygiene and maintaining physical distance and avoid crowded placesAll pregnant women need to register themselves on the CoWIN portal or may get themselves registered onsite at the Covid19 vaccination centreThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever