UNAIR NEWS – The number of maternal and infant deaths revealed by the East Java Provincial Health was quite surprising. As of October 2021, maternal deaths reached at least 1,127 from January to September 2021. Meanwhile, the number of infant deaths reached 2,465 in the same period.
In this regard, Geliat Airlangga (Universitas Airlangga’s Healthy Mother and Infant Movement) held a movement for the sake of healthy mothers and children. On Saturday, October 30, 2021, through the Health Literacy Webinar Series 3, Geliat Airlangga invited health workers to protect women with pregnancy, undergone childbirth, and breastfeeding from the dangers of Covid-19.
In his presentation, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) academic, Muhammad Ardian C.L., dr. SpOG(K)., M.Kes, said that pregnant women tend to be weak and vulnerable. This condition, he continued, makes pregnant women more vulnerable to being exposed to Covid-19.
However, Ardian advised pregnant women with confirmed Covid-19 to do self-isolation. Nonetheless, the gestational age must be under 39 weeks, and the mother’s age must be under 45 years.
“Pregnant women with the above conditions can do self-isolation. But those who are at high risk, with comorbidities, should be isolated in a special place or a hospital,” he said.
During self-isolation, he continued, pregnant women need to keep monitoring the movement of the fetus if the gestational age is above 18-20 weeks. There are at least ten fetal movements in 12 hours. Pregnant women should also avoid stress, get enough sleep (6-8 hours), and do light exercise.
Ardian also stated that vaccination is safe to do in the first, second, or third trimesters.
“Research has been proven that vaccination for pregnant women is safe and does not cause miscarriage or disability. Pregnant women with comorbidities are also prioritized for vaccination as long as the comorbidities are controlled. There’s no need to be afraid, as it is safe,” he said.
At the end of the presentation, Ardian advised pregnant women to stay at home and take care of themselves so as not to be exposed to Covid-19, especially before delivery (two weeks from the estimated delivery).
Meanwhile, in his speech, Armunanto M.Kes from UNICEF Indonesia said that the collaboration with UNAIR has been more than ten years. According to him, the protection activities for women under the conditions of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding carried out by UNAIR and UNICEF in East Java are very appropriate. Moreover, East Java is the area with the second largest population in Indonesia.
“If we can protect this vulnerable group from Covid infection, we can protect the second largest population in Indonesia. It seems that we must carry out this collaboration together,” he added.
He hoped that the 150 participants could spread the knowledge to other communities. Thus, pregnant women can get optimal protection and avoid Covid-19 infection. (*)
Author: Erika Eight Novanty
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
