New Delhi, May 15 (IANS): A 28-year-old woman, diagnosed with Covid-19, gave birth to a healthy girl at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital here and the new-born tested negative for the infection.

The woman tested positive after compulsory preliminary tests, and was denied admission in several hospitals and was brought to the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in a critical condition, the hospital said in a statement.

"At the Indraprastha Apollo, under the supervision of Kiranabala Dash (Gynaecology) and Ajay Sinha (Internal Medicine), the lady successfully gave birth to a baby girl in the 39th week of her pregnancy. The child has tested negative for Covid-19," the hospital said.

Sinha, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, said pregnant women are at a high risk of contracting Covid-19 as compared to any other adult.

"Though not all have serious complications if affected by coronavirus and only experience mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, it is important that extra care and precautions are taken for treatment and management of pregnant women who are Covid positive, for the well-being of the mother and the unborn child."

n this case, he said, the woman tested positive after going through a compulsory Covid-19 test, days before her due delivery date.

"At Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, her condition was monitored, and only once her vitals were stabilised, her delivery was done successfully."

Dash said as the woman was Covid-positive, hence the team had to be extra cautious to ensure that no harm is caused to either her or the child.

"After gradually progressing into labour, she delivered a healthy baby girl. During this entire procedure, we ensured that infection control was practiced, and the teams were equipped in PPE kits. All measures were taken to ensure the child does not contract any virus," Dash said.

She added that treating a Covid-positive pregnant woman can be challenging as during labour, her condition of respiratory distress can deteriorate within no time, and her blood pressure can fluctuate causing damage to other organs of the body.

"The neo-natal team lead by Atul at Apollo is extremely skilled for management of such a procedure, the teams were extremely well prepared and aware of the co-morbidities to tackle such a procedure where two lives are at stake," Dash added.

Post-delivery while the mother and the child have been kept under observation in isolation, both of them are doing well, the hospital said.

"Given the circumstances the family has not been able to meet either the patient or the baby, hence the nursing team has been taking care of them at Apollo," the hospital added.