KATHMANDU: UNICEF has made some recommendations for all pregnant women to follow to protect themselves and their newborns.

In a statement issued today, UNICEF has recommended that pregnant mothers closely monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and to seek advice from the nearest designated facility if they have concerns or experience symptoms.

The mothers are also recommended to take the same precautions to avoid COVID -19 infection as other people, through practicing physical distancing, avoid physical gatherings, and use online health services.

UNICEF also recommended that expectant mothers seek medical care early if they lived in affected or at-risk areas and have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.

“Continue breastfeeding their baby even if they are infected or suspect being infected as the virus has not been found in samples of breastmilk. Mothers with COVID-19 should wear a mask when feeding their baby, wash hands before and after touching the baby, and routinely clean and disinfect surfaces,” UNICEF Pacific Representative Sheldon Yett said.

He said mothers should also continue to hold the newborn and perform skin-to-skin care; ask their midwife or doctor where they feel is the safest place to give birth and have a birth plan in place to reduce anxiety and to ensure they get to the place on time; and to also continue medical support, including routine immunizations, after the baby is born.

“Never did I imagine a situation where pregnant women would have to live with a heightened fear of the world that they are bringing their child in to. We must work together to ensure that every pregnant mother receives the support she needs to give birth safely in the months to come,” said Yett.

(with inputs from Agencies)