The COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant rise in pregnancies due to inaccessibility to birth control treatments amid numerous lockdowns. Experts estimate that 214,000 unplanned babies were born during the pandemic, adding to the 1.7 million births a year. Most worrisome is that 40,000 to 60,000 of these births were among minors.
We are still not at the tail-end of this pandemic, and pregnant and lactating women continue to be one of the most at-risk populations for COVID-19. Information on how to protect both mothers and babies is integral, and that is what we will focus on in this Friday’s episode.
Should pregnant women be vaccinated against COVID-19? If a pregnant mom contracts COVID, should she still be vaccinated? Is it safe to breastfeed if one has COVID-19? Is it safe for lactating moms to be vaccinated?
Healthcare front-liners need to give clear and conclusive advice to pregnant and lactating women to alleviate their fears and empower them to take care of themselves and their newborns—particularly to sustain breastfeeding, but with proper precautions.
Breastfeeding is still the foundation for the healthy development of an infant. Currently, breastfeeding rates have stagnated at 29% pre-pandemic, and while the goal is to increase the number of women who breastfeed their newborns (up to six months) to 50%, renewed efforts need to consider the effects of COVID-19.
This Friday, May 27, from 12:00 noon nn to 2:00 pm, the University of the Philippines (UP), in partnership with UP Manila National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH), National Telehealth Center (NTC), and cooperation with UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), invite you to join the fight against C.O.V.I.D.!
Titled “Ang Pagpapasuso sa Panahon ng Pandemya,” this week’s “Stop COVID Deaths” webinar will feature Dr. Stella Marie Legaspi-Jose, Obstetrician-Gynecologist and Deputy Director for Operations of UP PGH. They will discuss the importance of breastfeeding during the pandemic and what advice healthcare front-liners can give to mothers. On the other hand, Dr. Aurora Gloria I. Labadia of the UP-PGH Milk Bank will talk about breastmilk banking and ways to support and sustain breastfeeding.
Register here and catch our weekly live tweets and streams via the UP System Twitter Account and T.V.U.P.’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Join us as we learn about the latest, evidence-based information to protect moms and newborns during the pandemic.
The award-winning UP “Stop COVID Deaths” Webinar Series is the Philippines’ first and only frontline-focused medical webinar series. It pioneered the discussion, dissemination, and adoption of knowledge on COVID-19 treatment and management. Follow our accounts to stay connected with your credible online community.
