COVID-19 PANDEMIC: effects and consequences in the pregnancy puerperal cycle

Abstract

Introduction: Research indicates that pregnant women are at greater risk of diseases compared to non-pregnant women against Covid-19. Objective: In this context, the present study aims to describe the consequences of Covid-19 in the pregnancy cycle, as well as the main health recommendations for these women. Method: This is a narrative literature review. Twenty-one articles from Google Scholar, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), MEDLINE and Pubmed databases were used using the descriptors: “Coronavirus infections”, “Pregnancy”, “Childbirth”, “ Pandemics”, “Breastfeeding”, which portrayed articles about COVID-19, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. The following inclusion criteria were considered: articles in Portuguese, English or Spanish with full text available in full that portrays the theme related to pregnant women, pregnancy and puerperium in the pandemic, published and indexed in the aforementioned databases in the last 2 years (2019 -2021). The following were excluded from the study: repeated articles in the databases, incomplete articles, theses, dissertations and book chapters. Results: COVID-19 infection in pregnant women was associated with higher rates of cesarean section and mortality, particularly in women with comorbidities and advanced maternal age. New health protocols were created, and breastfeeding is still recommended, even in positive patients, and vertical transmission has not been proven. Conclusion: Thus, it is recommended that pregnant women follow biosafety protocols during pregnancy and postpartum, and even after that period.