What you should know about the Coronavirus during pregnancy

While it is still too early to know for sure the relationship between the coronavirus and pregnancy , the evidence is actually very limited.

Early research suggests that the virus cannot be transmitted in utero . Still, a story recently broke about a newborn baby in Britain who tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after he was born. That is why we now need more data on the disease before reaching any conclusions.

We explain everything we know so far and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and pregnancy .

Coronavirus durante el embarazo

Everything you need to know about the Coronavirus during pregnancy

1. Can I spread Coronavirus to my baby during pregnancy?

One of the most important findings in the preliminary research on Coronavirus during pregnancy is that it appears that the virus can be passed from the mother to the fetus in the womb. A study was published at Northwestern University School of Medicine in which they analyzed 9 pregnant women in China who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and who delivered by cesarean section (Chen et al, 2020).

In the study, they analyzed amniotic fluid (that is, umbilical cord blood) along with a swab from the baby and breast milk and found evidence that the virus could have passed from mother to baby in the womb or during a C-section.

Cómo afecta el coronavirus durante el embarazo

Can Babies Get Coronavirus?

News of the newborn testing positive in England refuted these findings, as there is no information on what kinds of preventive measures were taken during delivery or what samples were analyzed by the family's medical teams.

It is not yet clear how a baby can get the Coronavirus . Although it appears that the virus is not vertically transmitted, an analysis of 10 newborns of mothers with COVID-19 found that the infection has an adverse effect on newborns, where they have respiratory distress, a low blood platelet count, and abnormal liver function.

Because of this, health experts agree that we need more data to fully assess the risk of contracting COVID-19 in newborns (Li et al., 2020).

Precauciones a tomar si tienes Coronavirus y estás embarazada

2. What is safer: cesarean section or natural delivery?

Experts say it is too early to be sure and we need more data and information to find out. All women who were included in the study delivered by cesarean section, so the risk related to natural births was not assessed.

According to Jessica Madden, pediatrician and medical director of Aeroflow Breast Pumps, certain viral infections can be passed from mother to child during childbirth. We know, for example, that the flu virus can be transmitted to babies during natural childbirth, along with other viruses such as HIV and herpes, which are transferred through blood and body fluids. That said, we can say that cesarean section is a safer option.

However, one of the biggest concerns right now about C-sections is that it requires patients to spend more time in the hospital recovering, so if we increase their hospital stay, it will likely increase the risk of contracting coronavirus .

Evidencias científicas del COVID-19 durante el embarazo

3. Does COVID-19 increase complications during delivery?

The data are few, but a trend that has been observed in pregnant women suffering from COVID-19 is that several of them had a premature delivery. In this regard, in a recent webinar, the findings were shared when evaluating the data of 34 Chinese women diagnosed with COVID-19 in the third trimester of pregnancy (Galang and Woodworth, 2020).

They reported that pregnant women with COVID-19 are at increased risk of preterm labor and that, on average, they deliver about 4 weeks before their due date. In more severe cases, the virus can cause pneumonia, which is a concern for pregnant women because their lung capacity is already slightly diminished by pregnancy.

If a pregnant woman experiences severely poor oxygenation, the child may be deprived of oxygen, which can increase the risk of long-lasting developmental problems, according to Dr. Levine. Another concern is that COVID-19 often causes a fever. In the first trimester, elevated body temperature is associated with an abnormal fetal development. In the third trimester, high temperature can lead to dehydration and trigger preterm labor, Levine added.

Coronavirus durante el embarazo

4. Is the immune system ready to defeat the virus and give birth at the same time?

The immune system of a pregnant woman changes after conception, so the body will not reject the fetus. Due to this change, the immunity of pregnant women is slightly lowered, which generally puts pregnant women at higher risk for viral infections.

We know that flu and other respiratory infections cause more serious illnesses in pregnant women, so the new coronavirus may do the same. However, as we have said before, we do not have enough data to be sure.

5. What will happen after giving birth with Coronavirus?

Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, including the mother, will need to isolate themselves from the newborn until they fully recover to avoid transmitting the Coronavirus to the baby . Although breast milk does not appear to transmit the virus, close contact should be avoided.

It is recommended that mothers use protective equipment such as chinstraps, gowns or gloves to feed the newborn.

Bebé recién nacido y coronavirus

6. What steps should I take when my baby is born if I have Coronavirus?

Pregnant women should maintain communication with their obstetrician and ask if they can separate or make appointments remotely to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.

If a pregnant woman is exposed to someone who is ill or experiencing any symptoms, it is crucial to call the gynecologist as soon as possible. Washing your hands, distancing yourself socially, and staying away from anyone who is sick can reduce your risk of being exposed to the virus.

Pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 are also recommended to avoid giving birth at home . Giving birth in a hospital can ensure that both mother and baby are monitored and ensure that the baby does not develop symptoms or become ill.

Precauciones a tomar si estás embarazada y tienes COVID-19

conclusion

Although research on the Coronavirus during pregnancy is limited, experts maintain that the data is quite positive since it appears that the virus is not transmitted through the uterus. And although pregnant women belong to the risk group, they still do not seem to have an increased risk of complications if they contract COVID-19 during their pregnancy.

However, it is important to follow updates from experts as this virus evolves rapidly and experts share new information every day. So if you are going through a pregnancy, you should stay informed.

References

  • Chen, H., Guo, J., Wang, C., Luo, F., Yu, F., Zhang, W., Li, J … and Zhang, Y. (2020). Clinical characteristics and intrauterine vertical transmission potential of COVID-19 infection in nine pregnant women: a retrospective review of medical records. The Lancet . Doi: 10.1016 / S0140-6736 (20) 30360-3
  • Li, Y., Zhao, R., Zheng, S., Chen, X., Wang, J., Sheng, X., Zhou, J., Cai, Qiang, F., Yu, F., Fan, J ., Xu, K., Chen, Y. (2020). Lack of Vertical Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, China. Emerging Infectious Diseases . Doi: 10.3201 / eid2606.200287
  • Galang, R. and Woodworth, K. (2020). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update — Information for Clinicians Caring for Children and Pregnant Women. Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention.