This figure was revealed by Director of Women’s Health Dr Adesh Sirjusingh at the Ministry of Health’s virtual media conference on Wednesday.
Dr Sirjusingh also revealed that from March 2020 to date, there have been 657 cases of Covid-19 in pregnant women.
In 2020, there was 58 cases, January to June 2021, there were 283 cases being reported, in July-75, August 125 and up to September 17-116 Covid cases which meant that cases were increasing he said. Two mothers have died due to Covid complications and two percent have been admitted to either the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or the High Dependency Unit (HDU).
He reminded the public that the Sinopharm vaccine was being administered to women who are breastfeeding and the Pfizer vaccine to pregnant women in at least their second trimester and those who are breastfeeding.
“Ideally, try to get vaccinated before you become pregnant,” the doctor advised.
He again reassured that the vaccine was safe and that over 300,000 women globally have already received a Covid-19 vaccine.
Dr Sirjusingh reiterated that pregnant women over the age of 35, in their second half of pregnancy, overweight, diabetic, or suffers from high blood pressure, heart disease or asthma were all in high risk categories.
Referring to diabetes, he said, “We have been saying this over and over. Diabetes is rampant in Trinidad and Tobago and more so in our pregnant population. Our figures show that 17 to 20 per cent of the pregnant population have diabetes either pre-existing or develop this for the first time during pregnancy. This is a startling statistic.”
Advise for women and their menstrual cycles
Dr Sirjusingh also spoke about irregular menstrual periods for women adding that it was not uncommon for women to experience irregular periods due to hormonal imbalance, stress, weight changes and other factors, vaccinated or unvaccinated.
He advises that if women were experiencing heavy abnormal bleedings, their doctor should be consulted.
He added, “If you are post-menopausal meaning that you have not seen your period, you are over 50 years of age and more than six months have passed and you see bleeding for the first time, vaccine or not, report that. That is a sign of serious concern to me and seek medical attention.”
