How should pregnant women and newborns be cared for when they have COVID-19?-Life Health

According to the Ministry of Health, it is not necessary to test for COVID-19 for infants and caregivers.

On March 28, the Ministry of Health issued guidance on home care and management for pregnant women, lactating mothers and infants with HIV. COVID-19.

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Whereby, the person with COVID-19 is a pregnant woman to be treated at home must be a person who has not yet indicated an indication for termination of pregnancy, has not shown signs of labor; None of the emergency signs or obstetric abnormalities such as:

– Abdominal pain that is continuous and/or gradually increasing;

– Vaginal bleeding;

– Amniotic fluid release;

– fainting or convulsion;

– Edema of the face, feet and hands;

– Headache, blurred vision;

– No fetal movement (for > 20 weeks gestation) or weaker than normal fetal movements;

Or have any other unusual signs.

For babies, for home treatment, the child is asymptomatic or has mild clinical symptoms; No one of the danger signs in the newborn:

– Breastfeeding less or less;

– Dozing off hard to wake up;

– Signs of respiratory failure: respiratory rate > 60 breaths/minute at 2 different counts, groaning, wheezing, stridor, rising and falling nostrils, chest indrawing, apnea more than 20 seconds , SpO2<96%;

– Convulsions or spasticity; unusual movements;

– Body temperature: Fever >38°C, does not decrease after taking antipyretics, or fever does not improve after 48 hours; hypothermia below 36°C after warming;

– Red or pus-filled eyes; red or swollen belly button;

– Signs of dehydration: sunken eyes, dry lips, wrinkled skin, little urine;

– Jaundice appearing before 3 days of age, especially jaundice appearing in 24 hours after birth; Jaundice lasting more than 14 days; Jaundice spreading rapidly to the abdomen, thighs, and legs in the first days after birth; Yellow palms or soles; Jaundice increases rapidly; Jaundice with discolored stools;

– Digestive: Continuous vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, bloody stools;

– Other abnormal conditions of the child.

How to monitor the health of pregnant women with COVID-19 at home?

Pregnant When treating at home, it is also necessary to monitor health status such as measuring body temperature at least twice a day in the morning, afternoon and when there are abnormal signs. Count breathing rate, pulse, SpO2 and blood pressure (if possible) daily;

Watch for signs of pregnancy: fetal movements; Abnormal signs of obstetrics is also a must, immediately notify medical staff or visit a medical facility when there is one of the abnormal signs.

Regarding pregnancy management and pregnancy care, it is necessary to maintain regular antenatal check-ups according to the National Guidelines for Reproductive Health Care Services. In addition, antenatal check-up at any time if abnormal signs are detected or when indicated by medical staff;

If a pregnant woman with COVID-19 arrives on the scheduled date of antenatal care and has no abnormal signs of obstetrics, she can perform antenatal care remotely or advise the pregnant woman to wait until the end of isolation;

Pregnant women also need to follow a healthy diet, be active and exercise, supplement with micronutrients, not use tobacco and be exposed to secondhand smoke, and do not use alcohol, beer and other substances. other stimulants, narcotics; Maintain iron/folic acid supplements or multi-micronutrient tablets as directed by medical staff (pause when symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea appear).

For mothers in the postpartum period and nursing mothers, it is necessary to immediately notify a medical staff or visit a medical facility when there are any abnormal signs such as: blood clots; The discharge has a foul odor; Severe abdominal pain or dull, increasing pain;

Perineal stitches (for normal delivery) or cesarean scar with abnormal mass, enlargement or discharge; Fever >38°C, which does not subside after taking antipyretics, or does not improve after 48 hours;

Swollen face, feet, hands or blurred vision, severe headache; Convulsions; Breast: swollen, hot, red, painful, or oozing pus; Or there are any other unusual signs.

With infants, it is necessary to monitor the child’s overall health: breastfeeding status, skin color, stool and urine; Measure body temperature at least twice a day (normal body temperature of children is between 36.5 and 37.5°C); Count breathing and measure SpO2 (if you have a device) 2 times / day.

With infants, According to these Guidelines, routine COVID-19 testing is not required for all infants, even if the caregiver has COVID-19.

In cases where both mother and infant are confirmed to have COVID-19, breastfeeding should be continued. If the baby has a stuffy nose, it’s difficult to suckle, clean the baby’s nose before feeding. If the baby is unable to suckle, express breast milk to the baby using a cup and spoon.

If only the mother is confirmed to have COVID-19, mothers and families should be counseled to weigh the benefits of breastfeeding against the risk that the infant may develop COVID-19.