-Dr. Shelly Singh, MBBS, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology) Senior Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rosewalk Hospital, Delhi
Which group of pregnant women are at risk?
All pregnant women are at risk and they should definitely get the vaccine. A special mention for women who are:
- Health line workers
- Obese
- Suffering from comorbid conditions
- Hypertensive
- Diabetic
- More likely to get an infection due to living in areas that have a high load of cases
- Older than 35 years of age
- Have a history of clotting in the limbs
- Exposed to people outside the household
- Living in crowded areas and unable to practice social distancing
This set of pregnant women definitely need the vaccine as they are at a higher risk of acquiring the disease and developing complications of COVID infection. Also remember that women who have had COVID in this pregnancy, still need the vaccination though it can be stalled after delivery.
Which vaccine is better?
Covishield or Covaxin-whichever is available
How to go about it?
Both, registration on the Co Win App or on-site registration is required.0.5 ml of the vaccine is given intramuscularly in the upper arm. After receiving the vaccine it is mandatory to stay at the vaccination site for half an hour so that doctors can monitor side effects if any.
Side effects that generally minor and last for 1-3 days
- Pain at the vaccination site
- Headache
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- A feeling of being unwell
Major side effects to watch for:
Within 20 days of vaccination the vaccinated women must watch out for:
- Severe headache with or without vomiting
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Blurring of vision
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Severe abdominal pain
- Small pinpoint haemorrhages
- Weakness or paralysis on either side of the body
- Pain, swelling, and tenderness of the calf
These are red flag signs for which expectant mothers or their families must inform the healthcare workers immediately; the good news is that these side effects are extremely rare.
The long-term effects and safety of the vaccine on the foetus and child have yet not been established.
Myths that need to be busted
- One gets the disease after vaccination
- One turns positive after the jab
- The DNA gets altered
- After getting the disease pregnant women don’t need to be vaccinated
Let’s bust all these myths and join hands to bust this disease together. Prevention as we all know, is better than cure.And what is more important than protecting ourselves while we carry our precious bundles of joy? Stay safe, stay positive, stay informed!
There’s good news for many pregnant women who have been expectantly waiting for the COVID vaccine. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have given us the green signal for vaccinating this vulnerable section of women.
Why do pregnant women need COVID vaccination?
Pregnancy does not worsen COVID infection. Most women will be asymptomatic or have mild disease. However, there may be worsening of the disease rapidly which may affect the unborn baby as well. This vulnerable group of women may need hospitalisation and even ventilator support as we saw in the second wave that ravaged us. The disease may need to babies being born prematurely as well and often these may have disastrous consequences for life. Sometimes the baby’s weight may be less than 2.5 kg and occasionally some babies may die too.
That is why the best bet for pregnant women is prevention; vaccination being an important pillar of this prevention.
It goes without saying that expectant moms must adhere to COVID-appropriate behavior in addition to vaccination – the importance of washing hands, masking up, maintaining social distancing needs to be reiterated all the time.
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