This is How a pregnant woman can attain a safe motherhood

By Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, Mumbai 

Are you mummy-to-be? Worried about what to do? How to be safe at home and stay in top shape during the outbreak of coronavirus? then, set all your worries free. We brief you about essential tips that pregnant women should adhere to.

The entire world is fighting coronavirus. Coronaviruses (CoV) belong to a large family of viruses that may lead to respiratory illnesses, right from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Earlier this year, a new strain of coronavirus was discovered, which has not been previously identified in human beings, also known as a novel coronavirus (nCov). The listed symptoms of it are fever, cough, shortness of breath. Coronavirus or COVID-19 is a major public health concern, not only in India but globally as well! Various measures have been taken to tackle it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has imposed a nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

A lockdown can be described as an emergency protocol that prevents people from leaving a given area. A full lockdown will mean that you must stay where you are and not exit or enter a building or the given area. Moreover, this scenario usually allows for essential supplies, grocery stores, pharmacies and banks to continue to serve the people. Likewise, all the non-essential activities will be shut for the entire period and you will also not be able to travel. Since, everyone is advised to stay at home, one may find it difficult to stick-by a healthy lifestyle especially a pregnant woman. So, if you are a would-be-mother then you must follow these vital tips.

This is how pregnant women must stay fit and fine at home

·         Exercise at home: Walk as much as you can at home. You can also opt for yoga or meditation. Also, do some light stretching exercises. Do not go overboard. Speak to your expert regarding the exercises that are good for you and the ones you must avoid. Monitor your fitness, track the activities you do throughout the day. Make yourself move every day.

·         Incorporate healthy foods: While at home, stick to well-balanced diet. Eat foods that help boost immunity. Eat colourful foods that can help enhance immunity. Foods such as Kiwi, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, turmeric and ginger can help strengthen the immune system along with your skin and hair. Bid adieu to salty, oil, spicy and junk food. Drink a lot of water by staying hydrated.

·         Keep in touch with your family members via phone:  Make sure that you spend some quality time with your family members.

·           Rejuvenate yourself: Try to do activities which you enjoy like reading, listening to music, painting or gardening. This can help you shift your attention from the distressing news of coronavirus.