MUSCAT: A total of 70 pregnant women have been hospitalised including nine in maternal intensive care unit, according to a top official at Ministry of Health (MOH).

Dr. Moza Abdullah Al Sulaimani, Director of gynaecology and obstetrics at the Royal Hospital said some pregnant women refrain from informing the medical staff that one of their family member is infected before being admitted. “The increase in cases brings pressure on the hospital’s beds and the medical staff,” she said.

According to Dr. Moza, three critical cases went into premature labor in order to improve their response to treatment in which one case was before the 24-week of pregnancy and the fetus died, and two cases were after 28-week of pregnancy and the premature newborns were admitted to the NICU.

She pointed out that the probability of a pregnant woman being infected with COVID-19 is equal to that of the rest of the community. “However, the physiological changes, especially on the immune system, that occur in the pregnant woman’s body, may affect her resistance to viral infections in general. The pregnant woman is immunocompromised due to her body’s attempt to adapt and accept the existence of the foetus inside her,” Dr. Moza explained.

“The pregnant woman is expected to suffer from mild to moderate symptoms, nonetheless, because of the increase in the size of the uterus during the advanced state of pregnancy that causes pressure on the chest and the lungs, may affect the interaction of the body if inflammation of the lung occurs,” she added.

Amidst the prevalence of COVID-19 the Ministry has continued to provide the service of monitoring the health of pregnant and child to avoid any complications that might occur.  

Ministry is also offering psychological support for those suffering from anxiety associated with this pandemic. Women can seek this service through Al Masarrah line (‪24873760‬), or on the hotline of (We with You) campaign at  ‪99359779‬ or via social media account of Whispers of Serenity clinic (@serenitymuscat).