INDIRECT EFFECTS OF FIRST WAVE OF COVID -19 ON MATERNAL HEALTH

 

INTRODUCTION

The Coronavirus Disease (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a global pandemic by WHO on March 11th 2020[1].The pandemic results in many unanticipated changes, majorly affecting the health system.The lockdown norms enforced by the state had lead to disruption in routine health care and had interrupted planned antenatal visits to the hospitals.Although COVID-19 disease itself does not cause increased maternal mortality compared to the general population directly, unsupervised pregnancies and the absence of routine antenatal visits had indirect adverse effects on maternal health [2].The relocation of health resources to the emergency services had lead to collapse of routine health care. Lack of physical examination resulted in misread of high risk factors and had negative impact on pregnant women health. Pregnancy is an immunocompromised state which makes this group more vulnerable for respiratory infections[3]. Covid-19 produces a Hypercoagulable state and pregnancy itself is a hypercoagulable state.Thus Covid-19 during pregnancy could increase the risk of Maternal VTE [4]. In light of various difficulties encountered during Covid-19 period and pregnant women being under high risk group, the aim of present study is to study indirect effects of Covid-19 pandemic during first wave on pregnant women health and Maternal-fetal outcome.