“Congratulations, you’re pregnant!” These three golden words by the doctor open up a myriad of emotions, unknown vistas of happiness, and oodles of joy for a couple. Regarded as one of the most blessed and most yearned phases of a woman’s life, pregnancy also comes in with its own set of precautions and safety measures that a would-be mother should be aware of. The long journey of nine months is not a mere cakewalk and demands a lot of care and protection from various hazards.
During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes a lot of hormonal changes leading to mood swings, a change in dietary patterns, and many other physical changes. Moreover, the immune system is suppressed during this phase thereby making any pregnant woman susceptible to various ailments. Furthermore, in a country like India, the constant shift from one season to another makes it even more troublesome to adapt and adjust.
One of the most dreaded and harrowing seasons for pregnant women is the monsoon and the COVID-19 pandemic is creating quite a havoc. Yes, it does bring in relief from the long dry spell of summer, but the rains are also the bearer of many water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases.
The sultry atmosphere, scanty sunlight and water clogging due to incessant rains create a perfect thriving environment for mosquitoes and other deadly viruses. There is a wide range of vector diseases that one can fall prey to if proper precaution is not taken. Some of the most common are dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and Zika. These maladies pose a great threat to pregnant women and children as compared to adults, but can be averted with proper care.
Let us take a look at some of the precautions that pregnant women must take during the monsoons:
1. Know the reason
Mosquito-borne diseases also known as vector-borne diseases are communicable diseases and get transmitted through mosquito bites. Remember, mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. Therefore the best precautionary measures are to constantly empty, cover, or treat any vessels that hold water – for example, water coolers, tanks, buckets, etc. Remove unused containers that hold water in hard to see places such as bushes and flower pots. Close doors and windows before sunset to bar the entry of mosquitoes.
2. Know the symptoms
These diseases are very problematic and at times can even be life-threatening to both mother and child. Having said that, early diagnosis can lower the risk and complications. Hence it is of paramount importance to know the symptoms of these diseases. The symptoms of these ailments are quite similar – fever, skin rashes, joint pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and red eyes. Simultaneously, their treatment is also quite similar, one needs to take ample rest, intake fluids in plenty, and avoid medicines like aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Read more about this.
3. Clothing
Muggy humid weather is so unpleasant that it can freak you out. So it is best to always dress appropriately, keeping the climate in mind. Wear loose, comfortable and most importantly, breathable clothes, preferably cotton. Always wear full sleeves to prevent mosquito bites. Never step out barefoot or in sandals or slippers while it is raining or on any wet surface – it can cause slipping.
4. Use mosquito repellents
Make sure to always use effective and friendly mosquito repellents like Good knight, both indoors and outdoors. Two of their products which are of great help are Good knight Activ+ and Good knight Fabric Roll-On – you will no longer have to worry about the harm that mosquitoes might cause. Good knight Activ+ gives indoor mosquito protection and Good knight Fabric Roll-On ensures complete outdoor mosquito protection. With just 4 dots of the Good knight Fabric Roll-On, you can get 8 hours of mosquito protection.
It is also 100% natural since it is made up of natural mosquito repellents like citronella & eucalyptus oil. This makes it completely safe to use for you and your baby and hence you can include this product in your everyday care routine. You can also apply the 4 dots on your baby’s prams, cots, and strollers.
