By Kwesi-Lee Williamson
Since lockdown, the number of women who are expecting has tripled.
NHS data shows that the maternity antenatal booking appointment numbers are on the rise, and that during the fourth quarter of the year 2020, antenatal bookings were at the highest that they have been in the last five years.
Pregnant women make their first appointment with a midwife around the eighth and twelfth weeks of their pregnancy.
“I was actually was surprised when I found that I was pregnant during lockdown, I mean me being in the house all the time did not help the situation,” said Jade Walker, 21, from London.
Yasmin Collins, 20, a stay-at-home mum said: “Starting a family has always been what I wanted to do, despite my age. I am currently pregnant with my third child and it happened during lockdown and I could not be happier.”
Pregnancy and Covid-19
Women who are pregnant during the pandemic are understandably nervous about whether they will catch the virus, or if they can transmit it to their babies.
The good news is that the NHS says that pregnant women are no more likely to catch Covid than anyone else, and that the risk of miscarriage from Covid is unlikely. Pregnant women who test positive for Covid are unlikely to transmit the virus to their babies.
In addition, breastmilk is unlikely to carry the virus, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), so even women who test positive can probably breastfeed.
There are many things pregnant women can do to keep their minds at ease during this unsettling time:
- Meditate: This is a good way to block out all the negative energy that you may feel can be harmful to you and your baby.
- Spend time away from social media: This can allow you to develop unneeded stress and anxiety because you would let it get to you.
- Spend time with family: This can result in you feeling better.
Vaccination and Pregnancy
The Covid-19 vaccine can be taken by pregnant women because they are seen as being on the vulnerable list.
Pregnant women are also encouraged to take the flu vaccine, which is deemed as safe at any stage from few weeks of pregnancy up until the due date.
Importance should be taken when getting the flu vaccine because of the symptoms of flu are similar to Covid-19.
Things to look out for are
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
No vaccine can make a person completely immune to illness. This is the same with Covid-19, so pregnant women in particular are urged to practice the same safety precautions after they have been fully vaccinated.
According to the NHS here is what you should do if you are pregnant and do not want to run the risk of catching COVID. Click here
Times have gotten tougher within COVID, but this has not stopped people living their life and wanting to have a family or expand their already growing family.
BAME community and being pregnant in pandemic
Data from a UKOSS study found out that women in the third trimesters of their pregnancies were the ones that were more likely to develop Covid.
The study found out that women from BAME backgrounds were more than likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid than people from any other background.
Pregnant women are being urged to follow the guidelines to keep their social distancing to a respectful distance, so they keep themselves out of harm’s way.
Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, Chief Midwifery Officer from the NHS said : “While Public Health England is continuing to assess and advise on the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on ethnic groups, I want to make sure that the NHS is doing everything we can to reach out, reassure and support those women and new mums that are most at risk.”
Popular Baby Names and Meanings of 2021
In light of the new arrival of Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Wessex, here are some of the most popular unique names for babies and their meanings of 2021:
- Arna– Hebrew Origin- Meaning: mountain of strength
- Zana– Hebrew Origin- Meaning: graceful lily
- Margot– French Origin- Meaning: Pearl
- Dewey– Welsh Origin – Meaning: Spring
- Lyndon– English Origin – Meaning: lime tree hill
Click Here to find out more unusual names for your baby.
If you have be affected by this story call any of the helplines below :
- NCT support helpline- 0300 330 0700
- NSPCC – 0808 800 500 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
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