Dr. Desislava Markova, a Fetal Medicine Specialist from a prominent IVF clinic Abu Dhabi outlines handy tips for expectant mothers to have a smooth pregnancy during the pandemic 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 30, 2020:   Pregnancy is a special time for couples – full of excitement and happiness. However, given the current situation, and the increasing restrictions imposed on our lives as the world grapples with this pandemic, expectant mothers can feel anxious and nervous.

To ensure pregnant women can sail through this period smoothly, Dr. Desislava Markova, Lead, Fetal Medicine, IVI Fetal Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, outlines some easy tips to help women protect themselves and their soon-to-arrive baby.

Have a Plan in Place: Having a plan in place for your birth can help ease feelings of anxiety by giving you a greater sense of control. “The plan should include whom to call when the labor begins as well as from where to receive assistance during labor. Establish beforehand what restrictions can be imposed on getting support from family members if the delivery happens at a hospital,” advises Dr. Markova.

Turn to Self-care: During this time, many clinics and hospitals might not encourage patients to visit their facilities. In such situations, it’s best to invest in simple gadgets that will help you monitor blood pressure, heart rate, etc. at home. “Such small investments can be empowering during this uncertain time. But one should also make sure to have the proper knowledge and resources to handle the instruments correctly,” added Dr. Markova.
Rely on Trusted Sources Only: Even though it’s the safest to make only necessary visits to the clinics right now, it doesn’t mean that there are no fertility doctors available to answer a couple’s queries virtually. Those used to reading mom and parenting blogs might find them useful but there are high chances of finding some questionable guidance there. So Dr. Markova says, “Soon-to-be mothers should only rely on their gynaecologists or Fetal experts for any medical advice. It is best to discuss everything and be open with your doctor to ensure having a safe delivery'.

Eat Healthy, Be Healthy: Some of the best things that you can do for a smooth pregnancy are having a healthy diet and practicing easy-to-do exercises. “Nutritious food and simple practices like yoga and meditation are good for pregnant women. But the most important factor among all of these is your mental wellbeing. So, whenever having negative thoughts or anxieties, make sure to communicate them with your loved ones,' explained Dr. Markova. 
She further added, 'We at IVI Fertility Clinic Middle East want soon-to-be-mothers to know that we are there for them. Our main aim is to ensure that they as well as their families have a positive birth experience, regardless of the pandemic”.

While your pregnancy may look nerve-wracking during the pandemic, it is still possible to have a safe delivery and birth with the above tips.
 IVI Fertility is a renowned IVF clinic that runs three state-of-the-art fertility clinics in the Middle East – IVF Fertility Center Abu Dhabi and IVF Fertility Center Dubai in UAE as well as IVF Fertility Center Muscat in Oman. The IVI Fetal Medical Center is additional facility at IVI Fertility Clinic Abu Dhabi, specializing in prenatal screening and diagnosis. The center works towards managing and identifying high-risk pregnancies, enhancing fetal care, and ensuring that high or low risk, your pregnancy goes to term.