How COVID-19 Impacts Pregnant Women Making An Adoption Plan
Although we’re all living through this crazy time, the COVID-19 virus effects each of us in different ways. If you’re pregnant and considering adoption, you may be concerned about how COVID 19 affects your pregnancy.
In all of the confusion, fear, and unknown regarding this virus, it’s helpful to know how it impacts pregnant women. Although there is still relatively little known about the COVID-19 virus, there are common threads throughout cases in pregnant women. From current research, it is estimated that:
- COVID-19 is not spread from mother to child in the womb.
- The virus is not spread through breastfeeding, even for women who have tested positive for COVID-19.
- Pregnant women are not more susceptible to COVID than other average, healthy adults.
- Currently, there have been no COVID-19 related maternal deaths.
While this is good news, there are also possible negative effects of the COVID-19 virus for pregnant women. Unfortunately, a common trend with women in their 3rd trimester and confirmed COVID is preterm labor and delivery, around 36 weeks. Pregnant women, if they do catch the virus, are also likely to be more vulnerable to severe respiratory problems, since they already have higher heart rates and decreased lung capacity from pregnancy.
So What Should You Do?
- Wash your hands, maintain the recommended social distance of six feet, and stay away from those who are sick. All of these practices can help you stay safe and healthy during this time.
- As a pregnant woman, it is important to keep in communication with your OB-GYN. If you are feeling sick or have come in contact with someone who has the virus, make sure you contact your OB-GYN immediately. If you have a confirmed case of COVID-19, the CDC recommends avoiding home births and delivering within a hospital setting.
- Strengthen your support team through video conferencing. If you are considering placing your baby for adoption, you can still have active communication and support with a local pregnancy counselor from an adoption agency. Lifeline can provide you with online profile books of families looking to adopt that meet your requirements, so that you can choose a family yourself, from the safety of your home.A local pregnancy counselor is available by text, call, or email 24/7. They can video conference you, or communicate through text or email. Even though everyone is being told to stay apart, it does not mean you have to be alone. Whether you are in an unplanned pregnancy, want to know more about open adoption, or fear you need a fast adoption, we want to be on your team.
If you would like more information about how to make an adoption plan or having this conversation with your friends, family, or even the father of the baby, let us know. We are here to help you. It’s free and we’re available 24/7. You call call or text us at 1-800-875-5595 or you can submit a request for one of our Pregnancy Counselors to reach out to you.
Reference Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control “Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Information about Coronavirus Disease 2019”
- Healthline “If You’re Pregnant, Here’s What to Know About the Coronavirus”
- ProPublica “What Coronavirus Means for Pregnancy, and Other Things New and Expecting Mothers Should Know”