Health Tips for Pregnant Women During Coronavirus

Pregnancy is a gift from God, isn’t it? It is a privilege in itself to be able to experience this glorious phase and be able to feel so powerful as to bring another human to life. You’re probably curious about what’s it going to be, how’s it is going to look like and all that other typically healthy concerns.

Pregnancy is the ‘gateway to motherhood’, but of course, it is a time of changes and uncertainty. Now, adding to all this is the uncertainty that Coronavirus has brought to our lives. This time is proving to bring along a lot of anxiety for our mothers-to-be. But before you get lost in that trail of thoughts, let’s cover some quick yet essential tips for the well-being of you and your child during these testing times!

Do not stress yourself out! Instead, try all the hobbies you always wanted to!

First things, first! Stress is the essential enemy of your baby. So, even though it seems impossible to relax and not worry about everything that’s happening with the world around you, try not to worry. Stress can harm you by causing high blood pressure, as a result of which your baby can be born underweight or premature. Hence, it is imperative that you avoid stress.

You can instead use this time to get into a calm routine and spend some time with the baby, experiencing each kick or each growth deeply. You can use this time off-work for trying out things you didn’t have time for like painting or singing. This creativity and calmness will probably even find its way to the baby!

Moreover, recent studies have shown that pregnant women are at no more considerable risk of contracting the virus than other social groups. Additionally, most researchers say that the virus cannot be transmitted from the mother to the child. Even the babies of COVID-19 positive mothers were born COVID-19 negative! 

1. Still, worried? Get Yourself COVID-19 insurance!

Do things like that exist? Well, yes! As COVID-19 and its fear spread fast, so does its relief. COVID-19 insurance will prevent you from the hefty hospital bills if you do happen to contract the disease. This insurance covers all your hospitalization costs and medical bills. Some even offer to pay for any diagnostic tests, which can range up to Rs.5,000 in India. In this manner, if/when you contract the virus, you at least won’t need to worry about arranging the cost of remedies, mostly out of your pregnancy fund.

A lot of insurance companies have entered the field and are offering excellent sum coverage, up to Rs.5,00,000! This insurance comes in handy mostly because most of your regular health insurance does not cover the costs of treatment of COVID-19. After all, the virus wasn’t even discovered back then to be able to make it to the list! Some insurance companies even offer added benefits like air ambulance service and exposure to expensive possible vaccines. 

2. Remember the phrase ‘Knowledge is Power’? Well, that’s right. Know the enemy to fight it better!

In these times of risk, knowledge is power. Indeed, governments & scientists all across the world are spending billions of dollars on trying to gain a little more understanding of the virus and how to contain it. This knowledge is not just essential for you and your child too! By knowing the enemy better, you can fight it better! So, equip yourself with all the knowledge you can find about the virus and how it spreads. And then, don’t spend your day over-thinking about it, instead, think about how you can prevent its spread. Keep a sanitizer at the door of the house.

Minimize your interactions with the world outside. Try to talk on the phone, instead of opting for physical interactions. Use video calls whenever possible. Try to work from home, if you’re choosing to work. Sleep for a minimum of 8 hours as better sleep helps you have a more robust immune system. A balanced diet is also your friend as it can boost your body’s strength to fight the virus, even if you come in contact with it.

Some studies even go as far as to say that mothers who read more during pregnancy have smarter babies after it! So, what are you waiting for? Grab those books that have been gathering dust on the shelves and get to reading in the calm winter sun!

3. Get your Habits Right!

What habits? Every one of them, from sleeping to eating to hygiene. You must sleep for at least 8 hours. A night of sleep less than this can harm not only you but also the development of your baby. Sleeping is the only time you and your baby get to rest. And most action happens when you’re resting. So, it’s very important for the baby that you get your rest and your sleep, right! Next thing? Your diet. Make sure that you’re taking all the vitamin-rich food in. No matter how much you like it, avoid junk food. Make sure that you increase your intake of citric foods like lemons, oranges, mangoes, etc. Garlic has found to be of great help to the immune system too, along with spinach and other green leafy vegetables. If you find it difficult to eat them, make a smoothie out of them! Have a new smoothie color every day. Mondays can be green- using spinach, mint, broccoli, etc., Tuesdays can be yellow with mangoes, pineapples, bananas, lemons and yellow apples, and so on! 

4. Last but not least, do the Five!

You have five senses! Blyton had the famous five! Elections happen every five years! Do you see a pattern? All good things seem to come in a group of five!

Similarly, your health also depends on five rules in the times of coronavirus. What are these, let’s have a look. Firstly, wash your hands frequently and use a hand sanitizer when you can, especially before eating! Secondly, you must maintain at least 6 meters of distance from everyone. Social distancing will keep you healthy. Always wear a mask. Thirdly, do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth. These are the place where the virus can enter the body.

Hence, avoid touching these in public areas. Please wash your hands carefully for at least a minute before you touch them. Fourthly, cover your mouth at all times, but especially when you’re coughing or sneezing. Fifthly, stay at home as much as possible. If you must go out, make sure you practice isolation for at least fourteen days. And if you feel like you’re developing any symptoms, keep calm and call your COVID-19 helpline. 

In conclusion, you don’t need to worry! Try to see COVID-19 as a time of opportunity rather than a time of tests! Even if you do see this as a time of challenges, learn to transform your challenges into opportunities. Some of the best humans were the ones who were faced with a challenge, but had an opportunistic mind and turned the situation in their favor! In doing so, you’ll be teaching your child the same. Keep these five tips in mind, and you’re all set to enjoy the unique benefits of an unprecedented time of social distancing!