What is important for surrogate mothers and expectant parents to know about COVID-19?
COVID-19 and pregnancy
During a pandemic, many people come face to face with coronavirus infection, pregnancy is unfortunately no exception. Although we take all possible measures to minimize the risk of infection, cases of infection do occur. Every surrogate mother must be tested for coronavirus infection before entering the protocol. All of our surrogates are instructed and provided with the necessary protective equipment – masks, gloves and antiseptics. During pregnancy, we recommend all our charges to minimize contacts with people and not to visit public places.
The course of COVID-19 in pregnant women usually does not differ from the usual course of the infection, and in most cases the disease is fairly easy to bear, without having a negative impact on the condition of the unborn child. However, there is always the risk of a serious course of the disease, which is why we try to protect our pregnant women as much as possible.
How COVID-19 is transmitted
The infection enters the body usually through the upper respiratory tract by contact with an infected person. Keeping the proper distance will help reduce the risk of infection.
The second option is to get the virus from the hands to the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. To reduce the chance of infection, it is recommended that you wash your hands as often as possible, wear protective gloves in public places, use antiseptic and avoid touching surfaces with your hands.
Signs of coronavirus in pregnancy
Most pregnant women who have had COVID-19 have noted some of the following symptoms
- Increased body temperature;
- A dry, debilitating cough;
- Shortness of breath with physical exertion;
- headache and joint pain;
- loss of sense of smell;
- increased fatigue and weakness;
- runny nose and sore throat;
- Surrogate mothers require special medical attention for any variant of the course of the infection, even in the absence of symptoms.
Diagnosis of COVID-19 in pregnancy
If coronavirus is suspected, a surrogate mother should contact her handler and supervising physician immediately. The supervising physician will make a house call to assess the pregnant woman’s condition, perform a test, and prescribe treatment. If the coronavirus infection is confirmed and if mild, the surrogate is treated at home with bed rest and specialist recommendations.
In the case of a moderate or severe infection, hospitalization is decided on the basis of saturation, temperature and laboratory results. Usually women in the early term are hospitalized in a hospital specializing in the treatment of COVID-19 infection, and from the second half of pregnancy and before delivery – in specialized obstetric units. All medicines for surrogate mothers are chosen with special care, because it is important that they do not have a negative effect on the fetus.
Treatment of new coronavirus infection in pregnant women
The treatment of the infection is carried out according to the protocols developed for the management of pregnant women with COVID-19. All medications are prescribed only by a doctor based on the clinical picture and the severity of the condition, taking into account the gestational age and existing manifestations.
It is important for the expectant mother to strictly and pedantically follow all the doctor’s recommendations, not to cancel the medications on her own as soon as she feels better. All drugs are chosen so that they do not affect or have minimal effect on the fetus.
Pregnancy and vaccination against COVID-19
Unfortunately, there is currently no reliable data on the safety of the coronavirus vaccine for pregnant women, so during pregnancy the possibility of vaccination is negotiated on a case-by-case basis. The decision is made by all parties involved – the surrogate mother, the parents-to-be and the pregnancy specialist.
Before entering into the protocol, in some cases the surrogate mother may be required to possess a certificate of vaccination. This question is determined on a case-by-case basis.