Harpreet Kaur

By Sushruti Kaushal and Harpreet Kaur

Pregnancy is a physiological state that alters the body’s response to infections. COVID-19 has been found to cause severe disease in pregnancy with morbidity and mortality that is higher than in non-pregnant adults. There is risk of transmission of SARS-CoV2 infection to fetus during ante-natal period, intra-partum and post-delivery from an infected mother. It is necessary to provide an un-interrupted ante-natal care and delivery services to pregnant women during the pandemic. Tele-consultation is important modality to reduce the physical exposure of pregnant women to the hospital environment and should be utilised. Screening, isolation, testing and treatment for SARS-CoV2 infection in pregnant women should follow the local guidelines and remain essentially the same as in non-pregnant adults. Admission, if required, should be in a facility that can provide obstetric maternal and fetal monitoring in addition to care for COVID-19 illness. Use of nitrous oxide and inhalational oxygen for fetal indication should be avoided during labor. Second stage of labor is considered an aerosol generating procedure and should be managed with adequate precautions. Mode of delivery should be as per obstetric indications. Regional anaesthesia should be preferred during caesarean. COVID-19 is not a contra-indication to breast feeding. For antenatal women, COVID-19 vaccination can be considered after shared decision making.

Part of the book: Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Harpreet Kaur and Asmita Kaundal

COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the physical, social, economical and mental health globally. Social distancing, quarantine and national wide lockdowns became new norm. Hospital emergencies and were flooded with patients diagnosed with COVID-19, Intensive care units were full with critically ill COVID-19 patients. Most of the health care facilities were diverted towards the management of COVID 19 patients. Majority of the manpower were involved in the screening, diagnosing and management with those infected with COVID 19. There was no arrangements for non COVID patients which lead to delay in diagnosis of new onset disease and cancellation of the previously planned appointments of those with chronic disease. Delay in treatment resulted in increased anxiety, stress, fear and emotional and psychological disturbances in many.

Part of the book: COVID-19 Pandemic, Mental Health and Neuroscience