Stay home, stay well: Strict isolation for mothers to be

Mothers who are between their first and third trimesters of pregnancy should maintain strict isolation in the days of coronavirus.

Sharmin Abbasi, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology department at Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Hospital, said the time is crucial for pregnant women as they are more vulnerable to viruses.

"They [mothers] have less prevention ability at the time," she said.

She suggested the mothers to stay at home and keep themselves isolated from other family members and should not rush to hospitals for regular checkups.

"Talk to doctors over phone and visit the nearest hospital to your home only if the situation is alarming," she said, adding, "Less travel means less chance of infection."

Those who are at the final stage should keep the transportation and other belongings ready in advance.

"Transportation is a big problem now. So, it should be wiser to fix those in advance," she said.

Sharmin said that earlier they recommended the patients to stay at hospital for four days but now they are suggesting maximum two days except complicated cases.

"The new born babies and mothers should be isolated and one of the family members will be designated to come close to them, others will not be allowed," she said.

The newborn babies should not be handled by people this time and guests should not be allowed at home.

"It may sounds odd but we have to be straightforward during this time to keep mothers and babies safe," she said.