The document discusses the ill effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnancy and childbirth, including delayed initial consultations, pregnancy detection, and prenatal vitamin intake. It warns that periodic checkups, monitoring of vital signs, and medical scans may be disrupted. It also notes risks of COVID infection during hospital visits and interrupted newborn vaccination schedules. UNICEF has warned that the pandemic has strained health systems and disrupted services, putting pregnant mothers and newborns at great risk of issues like lack of skilled birth attendants. Expecting mothers may avoid health centers for fear of infection.

1. PERCEIVE BEFORE YOU CONCEIVE
ILL EFFECTS OF PANDEMIC ON PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH.
DELAYED INITIAL GYNECOLOGICAL CONSULTATION.
DELAYED PREGNANCY DETECTION.
DELAYED START OF FOLIC ACID AND OTHER TABLETS.
PERIODIC CHECK-UP SCHEDULES MAY BE UPSET.

2. MONITORING OF BLOOD PRESSURE
AND SUGAR LEVELS MAY BE AFFECTED.
SCANNING MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE IN TIME.
RISK OF COVID INFECTION TO MOTHER
DURING HOSPITAL VISITS.
VACCINATION SCHEDULES OF THE
NEWBORN MAY BE UPSET.

3. UNICEF has warned that
pregnant mothers and babies
born during the pandemic
across the world would be
threatened by strained health
systems and disruption in
services.

4. UNICEF also warned that
COVID-19 containment measures
can disrupt life-saving health
services such as childbirth care,
putting millions of pregnant
mothers and their babies
at great risk.

5. New mothers and new-borns will be
greeted by harsh realities,
like lockdowns and curfews,
overwhelmed health centres,
supply and equipment shortages lack
of sufficient skilled birth attendants
including midwives as they are
redeployed to treat COVID-19 patients.

6. Expecting mothers would be afraid to go
to health centres for fear of
getting infected says UNICEF Executive
Director Henrietta Fore said.
This message is for those who are
planning to conceive. Those who are
already pregnant need not worry.

7. SHARE WITH YOUNG COUPLES IN
YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDSHIP
CIRCLE.
SHARE IF YOU CARE.
Disclaimer :
This message is for those who are planning to conceive.
Those who are already pregnant need not worry.
Some of the views expressed here are based on my perception.
Apply your mind or consult your doctor before making decisions.