Pregnancy is an exciting and sometimes stressful experience. Being pregnant during COVID-19 may add extra anxiety and concern for you and those you care about who are pregnant. Show
According to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), pregnant people do not appear to be at greater risk of getting COVID-19 but may get sicker when infected with COVID-19. Due to changes that occur during pregnancy, pregnant people may be more susceptible to viral respiratory infections. The most important thing you can do is to protect yourself from getting sick. This includes following the same guidance that is provided to everyone, including people who are not pregnant:
Additionally, people who are at increased risk of severe illness, including pregnant people, should reduce contact with people who do not live with you. COVID-19 has challenged pregnant people in a way most have not experienced before. If you are feeling overwhelmed about COVID-19, help is available. Call the Emotional Support Helpline seven days a week at 1-844-863-9314 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Remember every week counts!Near the end of your pregnancy you may be uncomfortable or anxious to see your baby. But remember -- you want to be sure you deliver a full term baby, if possible. How long is full term?Pregnancy lasts for about 280 days or 40 weeks. A preterm or premature baby is delivered before 37 weeks of your pregnancy.
Babies born before 39 weeks have a greater chance of breathing problems, low blood sugar and other problems that may result in being admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). What causes preterm births?There are many factors that may lead to a preterm birth. Women who have had a previous preterm baby are at highest risk for another preterm baby. Women carrying twins or triplets or have uterine or cervical tumors are also at high risk. Other factors that put you at risk for a preterm birth include:
What are the risks of a preterm birth?Having a baby before your due date puts the baby at higher risk for many health problems. A baby's brain is the last major organ to develop during your pregnancy. The part of the brain that the baby will use for thinking doubles in size during the last few weeks of your pregnancy. When you are 35 weeks pregnant, your baby's brain only weighs two-thirds of what it will weigh at 40 weeks. Some of the health problems that preterm babies may have include:
Even if the baby does well when born, he or she may have more long-term health problems such as:
I want my baby to be healthy as possible. What can I do?Sometimes no matter what you do, you may have a preterm baby, but there are things you can do to help prevent it. Levine LD, Srinivas SK. Induction of labor. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 12. Thorp JM, Grantz KL. Clinical aspects of normal and abnormal labor. In: Resnick R, Lockwood CJ, Moore TR, Greene MF, Copel JA, Silver RM, eds. Creasy and Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 43. How many weeks until your baby is safe?By the time you're 24 weeks pregnant, the baby has a chance of survival if they are born. Most babies born before this time cannot live because their lungs and other vital organs are not developed enough. The care that can now be given in baby (neonatal) units means more and more babies born early do survive.
When does risk of miscarriage decrease?More than 80% of miscarriages occur within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. After 12 weeks, the rate decreases rapidly (Dante et al, 2013; Houry and Salhy, 2014).
Which trimester is the most critical?First Trimester (0 to 13 Weeks)
The first trimester is the most crucial to your baby's development. During this period, your baby's body structure and organ systems develop. Most miscarriages and birth defects occur during this period. Your body also undergoes major changes during the first trimester.
Is 7 weeks pregnant safe?You at 7 weeks
You may start to feel sick or tired, or have other minor pregnancy problems for a few weeks around this time. In most cases, feelings of nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) start to improve after around 14 weeks of pregnancy. Some infections can harm a pregnancy.
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