What Are the Risks of Having COVID During Your Pregnancy?

The coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on individuals and families all over the world. If you are pregnant and can track coronavirus, there are some increased risks that you need to be aware of. It is critical to listen to medical professionals, including Dr. Shamim Patel, who have some important information to share. If you can educate yourself on the risks of having COVID while pregnant, you may be able to put yourself and your unborn child in the best position possible to have a successful pregnancy.

Increased Respiratory Symptoms

People who contract the coronavirus are at significant risk of developing respiratory symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. While you are pregnant, there are physiological changes that will take place. According to Dr. Patel, your respiratory and cardiovascular systems have to adapt to the presence of an unborn child. Because of the physiologic changes during pregnancy, you may be at an increased risk of developing worse respiratory symptoms if you contract COVID while pregnant.

A Possible Increased Risk of Miscarriage

There is also an increased risk of miscarriage if you contract the coronavirus while pregnant. Even though this is still an active area of research, early studies indicate that if you contract the coronavirus while pregnant, you may be at an increased risk of a miscarriage during the first trimester. There are steps you can take to mitigate the risk of miscarriage. For example, by seeing your OB-GYN regularly, it is possible to identify potential issues earlier. That way, steps can be taken to reduce your risk of having a miscarriage during the first trimester.

What About the Risk of Passing the Virus to the Baby? 

There are a lot of people who are concerned about the risk of passing the coronavirus to their unborn child. According to OBGYN Dr. Patel, the risks of your child developing the coronavirus upon delivery because you had COVID while pregnant are relatively low. That being said, it is still important for you to take precautions to protect yourself while pregnant. For example, wearing a mask can reduce your chances of passing the virus to someone else. Washing your hands might reduce your risk of contracting the virus while pregnant. That way, you can make sure that you and your baby are safe during the pregnancy.

Protect Yourself Accordingly and Take Appropriate Precautions While Pregnant

It is important to remember that this is still an active area of research. According to Dr. Shamim Patel, there are studies taking place taking a look at women who are pregnant and have the coronavirus. It is possible that more information could come out down the road, so it is important to keep in touch with your medical provider. If you are pregnant, it is critical to seek regular prenatal care. That way, potential problems can be identified as quickly as possible, and the appropriate measures can be taken to protect you and your unborn child.