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JULY BLOG

UPDATE: CORONA VIRUS AND PREGNANCY

Last updated on June 30, 2020, John Hopkins Corona Virus Dashboard and Worldometer

Cases Worldwide

John Hopkins Worldometer

TOTAL CASES - 10,501,482 TOTAL CASES - 10,629,401

Recovered - 5,833,268

TOTAL DEATHS - 511,909 TOTAL DEATHS - 514,901
Unemployed - 174.1 million

Cases in the U.S.

TOTAL CASES - 2,636,538 TOTAL CASES - 2,730,803

Recovered - 720,631 Recovered - 1,143,688

TOTAL DEATHS - 127,425 TOTAL DEATHS - 130,134
Unemployed - 19,885,932 down from 24,975,778 four weeks ago

Cases in California

TOTAL CASES - 232,275 TOTAL CASES - 232,273

Recovered - 63,662

TOTAL DEATHS - 6,089 TOTAL DEATHS - 6,088
Unemployed - 6.7 million

Pregnancy and COVID-19

With all the uncertainties regarding the Corona virus, a pregnancy can add additional considerations and stresses. With the virus now effecting children and young adults, becoming pregnant is worrisome. Not only are there normal pregnancy risks such as high blood pressure, anemia, pre-eclampsia or toxemia. But this Corona virus……………and no clear leadership and direction……….!

What are the risks?

If you are pregnant, recently delivered a baby or breast-feeding, you're probably very concerned about the impact of the Corona virus disease on you and your baby. It isn't clear if pregnant women are more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus or if they are more likely to experience serious illness. Pregnant women are at greater risk of severe illness from other respiratory infections, such as the flu.

It is unknown if COVID-19 causes problems during pregnancy or affects the health of the baby after birth. There have been a small number of reported problems, premature births, in babies born to mothers who tested positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy. A MMWR study suggests that pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to be hospitalized and are at increased risk for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and receipt of mechanical ventilation than non-pregnant women. Risk of death is similar for both groups.

In a small study of infants born to mothers infected with COVID-19, none of the infants tested positive for the virus nor was the virus found in the amniotic fluid or placenta. A report of 33 infants born to mothers with COVID-19 pneumonia indicated three newborns tested positive for the virus two days after birth, despite precautions taken to prevent infection. In another study of six infants born to mothers with mild symptoms of COVID-19, the newborns had no symptoms and tested negative for the virus. There was also evidence that some infants' immune systems responded to COVID-19 before birth. Further research is needed to determine the impact of the virus on babies during pregnancy and after birth.

If you have COVID-19 and are pregnant, treatment will be aimed at relieving symptoms. Treatment includes: plenty of fluids, rest, medications to reduce fever, relieve pain or lessen coughing. If you're very ill, you may need to be treated in the hospital. Contact your health care provider right away if you have COVID-19 symptoms or exposed to someone with the virus.

Labor and delivery recommendations.

Remaining healthy as you approach the end of your pregnancy is a priority, but be prepared to be flexible. If scheduled for labor induction, C-section, you and your support person may be screened for COVID-19 symptoms 24 to 48 hours before your scheduled arrival at the hospital. You may be screened again prior to entering the labor and delivery unit. If you present with Covid-19 symptoms or the virus, inducement or C-section might be rescheduled!

To protect the health of you and your baby, facilities may limit the number of people in the room during labor and delivery. Visits after delivery might be affected too. During your hospitalization, you may be screened daily or your hospital stay may be shorter than routine.

If you have COVID-19 or waiting for test results, contact with your baby after delivery will be affected. It isn't known whether newborns with COVID-19 are at increased risk of severe complications, but there is concern newborns could become infected if they come into contact with infected respiratory droplets. Infants born to mothers with COVID-19 may be cared for in a separate room, with visits limited only to a healthy parent or caregiver. Your health care team will discuss the risks and benefits of temporary separation and what steps might be involved.

Postpartum Depression.

During this stressful time, you might have more anxiety about your health and the health of your family, but pay attention to your mental health! Severe mood swings, loss of appetite, overwhelming fatigue and lack of joy in life after childbirth are indicators of postpartum depression. Reach out to family and friends for support, but continue taking precautions to reduce your infection with the COVID-19 virus.

Contact your health care provider if you feel depressed, symptoms don't fade on their own, you have trouble caring for your baby or completing daily tasks, or you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

Breast-feeding.

It isn't known if the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted through breast milk and there is limited research or evidence of the virus in breast milk. The concern - if an infected mother can transmit the virus to the baby through respiratory droplets during breast-feeding.

If you have COVID-19 or symptomatic, take steps to avoid spreading the virus to your baby, such as washing your hands before touching your baby and if possible, wearing a face mask during breast-feeding. If pumping breast milk, wash hands before touching any pump or bottle parts and follow recommendations for proper pump cleaning.

COVID-19 Data during Pregnancy - Updated June 25, 2020

Tracking data on COVID-19 during pregnancy can protect pregnant women and their babies. The CDC is collaborating with state, local and territorial health departments and external partners to better understand COVID-19 during pregnancy.

Weekly COVID-19 Pregnancy Data - January 22 - June 23, 2020

TOTAL CASES - 9,989
TOTAL DEATHS - 26
HOSPITALIZED CASES - 2,997

Pregnancy and COVID-19: Women Are Postponing Fertility Plans Due to the Pandemic

The findings come from the first comprehensive study of women’s pregnancy preferences in the pandemic. The Guttmacher Institute found:

over 40% of women to made some major shifts in their fertility plans,
34% reported delaying pregnancy (or planning to have fewer children),
17% reported wanting to have a child sooner (or have more children) because of the pandemic.

The results are more extreme for minority women. “It’s critical to underscore that COVID-19’s ripple effects are particularly felt by women of color, LGBTQ+ women and lower-income women,” Laura Lindberg, Guttmacher Institute. 44% of Black women and 48% of Hispanic women stated in the face of the pandemic they wanted to wait to get pregnant or have fewer children. LGBTQ+ women (almost half) also were more likely to be putting off pregnancy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, added pregnancy as a possible risk factor for COVID-19 and released a report which found that pregnant women with COVID-19:

are 5.4 times more likely to be hospitalized,
1.5 times more likely to be admitted to an ICU, and
1.7 times more likely to be put on a ventilator.
Pregnant women didn’t have an increased risk for mortality.

The stats are worse for women of color—who are already five times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19, pregnant or not. Lindberg said, “We are still in the early stages of this crisis.” Pregnancy and COVID-19 trends are linked—but not in a way ending in a baby boom! This is the beginning of the pandemic’s impact on pregnancy. Pregnant women, however, didn’t have an increased risk for mortality.

The CDC wasn’t able to conclude any impacts to fetuses or babies born to women who contracted COVID-19 because it’s simply too soon to know in the life cycle of this virus, but they “wouldn’t be surprised” if they are at higher risk for preterm birth.

What can you do to protect yourself?

There is no vaccine available to prevent infection with the COVID-19 virus at this time. To reduce your risk of infection, limit visitors and follow the suggestions listed below. Above all, focus on taking care of yourself and your baby.

If you have a serious underlying medical condition:

Wear a cloth mask or face protection.
Stay home if possible.

Wash your hands often with soap and water or clean them with an alcohol-based sanitizer. This kills viruses on your hands.

Practice social distancing - you can have and spread the virus without knowing it. If you do have to go out, stay at least 6 feet away from others.

Don’t touch your face - Coronaviruses can live on surfaces from minutes to several hours dependent on the surface. If they get on your hands and you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, they can get into your body.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched services.
Call your healthcare professional if you have concerns about COVID-19 and your underlying condition or if you are sick.

For more information on steps you can take to protect yourself, see CDC’s How to Protect Yourself

The Immune System

White blood cells are the first line of defense! The immune system fights off disease causing microorganisms and engineers the healing process. The immune system is vital to fighting every assault on the body! Understanding the role the immune systems plays in overall health will provide you the ability to take responsibility for your own health. The responsibility of the immune system is to learn and identify those things that naturally belong in the body and those foreign or harmful.

The Best Immune Boosters

Sovereign Silver - Colloidal Silver - is a solution of microscopic silver atoms suspended in a liquid solution. Colloidal silver can kill certain germs by binding to and destroying proteins. It has been shown in studies to be antimicrobial and antibacterial. It doesn’t disrupt the body’s balance of good bacteria or microflora. It is totally safe to take on short term basis - especially for an immune system boost. Sovereign Silver checks all of these boxes for purity and bioavailability

Echinacea - is well known for its ability to support the immune system especially during the colder months. For years doctors and herbalists in Europe have commonly suggested Echinacea to support immune health. Echinacea appears to activate chemicals in the body's immune system that decrease inflammation, which might reduce cold and flu symptoms.

Elderberry - affects the immune system. Elderberry promotes activity against viruses including the flu and might reduce inflammation. It has very high concentrations of a few immune supporting compounds like vitamin C and antioxidants.

Probiotics - Not all bacteria is bad! 70-80% of your immune system resides in the digestive tract. Probiotics help to populate your gut with good microflora that not only help with digestion but also support the immune system.

When taking probiotics for an immune boost, get one with a variety of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains and a high concentration of CFUs, colony forming units – this is the amount of live microorganisms that help to populate the gut.

Zinc - is a mineral or an "essential trace element," because very small amounts of zinc are necessary for human health. The human body does not store excess zinc it must be consumed regularly as part of the diet. It is found in several systems and biological reactions, and it is needed for immune function, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function and much more. Zinc might have effects against viruses. It appears to lessen symptoms of the rhinovirus, common cold, but researchers can’t yet explain exactly how this works.

Vitamin C – the single most important antioxidant for the immune system. It is essential for the formation on adrenal hormones and lymphocytes. It also has a direct effect on bacteria and viruses

Coenzyme Q10 – Supports the immune system, an oxygen enhancer to protect the cells and heart function.

Garlic – stimulates the immune system

Kelp – supplies a balance of minerals needed for immune integrity

Maitake, Reishi or Shitake extracts – build immunity and fight viral infections and cancer

Grape Seed extract – one of the most potent antioxidants, protects cells

Oregonal – helps digestion by increasing bile flow and fighting against some bacteria, viruses, fungi, intestinal worms and other parasites. Research published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology found that oil of oregano is an excellent germicide capable of killing a wide range of fungi and bacteria.

Bayberry, Fenugreek, Hawthorn, Horehound, Licorice Root and Red Clover enhance the immune system.

Power Greens – “a glass a day!” Should include spirulina, kelp, chlorophyll and made from:
Natural ingredients
High veggie to lower fruit ratio
Complete vegetable blend
Vitamins and minerals
Low in sodium and sugars
Includes probiotics
Includes super mushrooms