ILOILO City – Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has not spared pregnant and postpartum women.
In Western Visayas, 982 women – 880 pregnant and 102 postpartum – contracted SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, data (as of Aug. 28) from the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 6 showed.
The province of Iloilo and Bacolod City listed most of such cases with 438 and 381, respectively.
Aklan recorded six; Antique, two; Capiz, 36; Negros Occidental, 24; Iloilo City, 95; and Guimaras had none.
Of the total cases, five pregnant women died, according to Dr. Mary Ann Millamena- Matillano, medical officer and designated head of family health and nutrition section of DOH-6.
The fatalities were recorded in Bacolod City and Capiz with two each and one in Iloilo province.
However, Matillano clarified that there’s an ongoing investigation by the concerned local government units to determine if COVID-19 was the real cause of deaths of the expectant mothers.
“There were those nga napatay due to obstetric causes,” added Matillano, also the maternal health team leader of DOH-6.
How did these pregnant women found they were positive for COVID-19?
Matillano said some were symptomatic so they underwent swabbing while others were required by health facilities of a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result during childbirth.
According to Matillano, of the total infected expectant moms, 427 were asymptomatic and 453 had exhibited symptoms.
Matillano also explained that most of the infected pregnant women have already recovered.
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To curb coronavirus transmission, DOH-6 is campaigning for extra precautions among pregnant women as they, too, were vulnerable to the virus.
“Kon mahimu they should stay home lang gid… We understand nga ang ila partners or household members naga-work, puede sila dira ma-expose but extra caution gid,” she added.
Pregnant women should practice good hygiene and proper nutrition and diet, as well as take supplements such as folic acid and ferrous sulfate, Matillano said.
It is also important to talk to the healthcare provider should an expectant mom exhibit signs and symptoms of coronavirus.
Pregnant women should also take good care of their mental health, Matillano added.
Another way to avoid COVID-19 is through vaccination, the DOH-6 official emphasized.
According to Matillano, an advisory of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Operation Center (NVOC) already allows pregnant women to get the anti-coronavirus jab.
It is particularly recommended to inoculate expectant moms in their second and third trimesters using the vaccines authorized by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use.
Matillano explained that all vaccines can be given to pregnant women except for Gamaleya’s Sputnik.
She added that the pregnant women were included to the expanded priority group A3 or persons with comorbidities.
In the case of pregnant healthcare workers, they can be vaccinated in their first trimester as long as they have clearance from their doctors, said Mantillano.
Also, to keep pregnant women safe at the vaccination sites, the DOH-6 recommended that each site must set up a special lane for pregnant women./PN
