If just every time we were upgraded on the everyday death toll from coronavirus, we could likewise be told the variety of children being born – would not that make this dreadful situation a little bit more hopeful?
This is what I thought last week as I sat on my own, in seclusion, on the postnatal ward after bring to life my 2nd baby.
I went from weeks of pent-up stress and anxiety about what COVID-19 could do to my pregnancy and unborn baby, to an unexpected state of happiness and gratitude. A new life, in the middle of all this darkness, brought with it hope, which can benefit us all during this tough time.
Pregnancy brings with it many stress and anxieties, particularly for first-time mothers. This is something I routinely see in my practice as a family doctor.
Even when whatever is going to strategy, expectant mums tend to hold their breath till their children are safe and well in their arms.
The proof so far, limited to a small number of cases, appears to recommend that pregnant ladies are not at a higher danger of developing complications from coronavirus compared with their non-pregnant counterparts, which is reassuring. We do not yet know what long-lasting impact, if any, coronavirus could have on their babies, if they catch the infection during pregnancy.
It was formerly believed that vertical transmission – the infection being passed from a contaminated mother to her unborn or new-born child – of coronavirus was not a risk.
Nevertheless, according to the most recent standards from the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG) in the UK, there is a “probable risk” that a baby can contract the virus from the mother if she is COVID-positive.
This is based on 2 UK cases where both children were confirmed favorable for coronavirus after birth.
On March 16, pregnant females overnight went from being identified as “low risk” to being placed in the “vulnerable” category in the UK. So, one day these ladies were roaming easily, and the next they were being recommended to socially distance themselves and to stop all non-essential getaways and contacts.
The federal government has regularly assured pregnant females that these are precautionary measures just but, as the weeks have gone on, increasingly more restrictions have been placed on pregnant females, raising the concern of why these substantial limitations remain in place if the threats are so low?
Following lockdown, many pregnant ladies will be feeling clashed about going out, especially to their place of work.
The RCOG recommends that women who are at less than 28- weeks pregnancy, without any underlying health issue, should practise social distancing however can continue to work in public-facing functions, supplied the essential preventative measures are taken, including utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE).
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As we understand, there is a mass lack of PPE in the UK and many other nations, numerous ladies, including me, have actually ended up working during our pregnancies without sufficient defense.
The recommendations for those over 28- weeks pregnancy is to stay at home and practise social distancing where possible.
To include to the mix of it all, limitations on birth partners are being introduced in numerous places.
If the partner is in a high-risk category or indeed has symptoms of COVID-19, then they are not allowed to attend the birth either, for obvious factors. Ladies are being encouraged to have a back-up choice for birth partner just in case.
As someone who has actually simply been through all this, I know how upsetting this will be for numerous females. It is, naturally, required as we all want to reduce threat to ourselves in addition to the healthcare experts who are caring for us, but that does not make it any much easier.
Having to do much of the journey alone – not by choice however out of necessity – is tough and can be distressing: not least when it concerns deciding where and how you wish to give birth.
As needs on health care staff boost, birth choices are being reviewed as well.
The priority right now for maternity services anywhere is to deliver babies in the best and most effective method possible.
With the increasing rates of transmission, health care personnel usually are required to help out wherever the need is highest.
As a result, birth choices might be restricted and those expecting home births may need to go to hospital rather. Each case will be examined individually, however the key is to keep the channel of communication open with the antenatal health care team.
Some females may feel that birthing at house is safer, however doing so brings risks, too, and may not be a safe alternative if a midwife can not get there.
The health center, for that reason, is still most likely to be the best and safest choice as that is where medical teams can monitor and assist in as pleasing a birth experience as possible for all mothers.
Understandably, numerous women will struggle to come to terms with the alternatives being limited, however safe shipment is the top priority.
I definitely felt all of this panic in the run-up to giving birth. What it all boiled down to in the end, for me, was that I wanted to get in and out of health center as rapidly as possible with my baby in my arms, safe and well.
While I was alone for much of my birth, the fantastic NHS personnel offseted all of it. The whole group that looked after me, from the midwives, the anaesthetist and the obstetrician, to the healthcare assistants and porters, never let me feel that I was alone. Rather, they were calm, wondrous and helpful and provided my baby securely, making me forget that there was anything else going on in the world.
As I sat later on in my space, alone with my baby, I felt tranquil and safe. Coronavirus was out there on the planet, but in my room, there was no danger of it entering thanks to everyone’s outstanding adherence to the rules.
