The spread of Covid-19 raises many questions among pregnant women. Should we protect ourselves more? Can the spouse attend the birth?
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Amandine is due to give birth on April 11, at the maternity Mâcon, in Saône-et-Loire. But she is worried. ” The midwife said if the coronavirus outbreak was stronger, my partner wouldn’t be able to be present on the day of delivery. »Same echo of Dijon, in Côte-d’Or, where Lauriane confides that what anguishes her “ it is to prohibit access to the delivery room for the father. She, who has already experienced a difficult first childbirth, hoped that the second would be more peaceful.
« I understand the measures but given the stress we all undergo because of the virus, giving birth without the daddy I think that will add a layer »Testifies Christelle, 35, pregnant with her second child. All are wondering …
Coronavirus Covid-19: is the presence of dads allowed during childbirth?
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Can dads attend childbirth?
Valerie Thommasin, Director of the perinatal course at theARS (Regional Health Agency) Bourgogne-Franche-Comté announced that all maternity hospitals in the region had agreed on a common organization :
- Dads can attend the last phase of childbirth. That is to say the active phase (opening of the neck from 5 to 7cm).
- After childbirth, dads can stay for 2 hours with mom and newborn.
- Dads can only come back when their partner and baby are discharged.
Obviously, all health security measures must be observed. If the spouse has symptoms of Covid-19, he will not be able to be present.
Ultrasounds without dads
All follow-up appointments, ultrasounds, do not take place that in advance of the mother, without the dad. The instructions are given to the patients by the healthcare professionals. Non-urgent consultations are also moved to the extent possible. But nothing prevents the future dad from following the ultrasound on video, by Whatsapp, Skype, or FaceTime.
“We do not let go of our patients!”
Midwives and hospitals work together: “Pregnant women don’t have to be home alone watching the news repeat itself. If they have any questions, they should not hesitate to contact health professionals.”
“They must dare to rely on liberal midwives“tell us the association of liberal midwives of Côte-d’Or. Follow-ups are provided, even in teleconsultation. “We do not let go of our patients! They will never be alone.”
Consultations with liberal midwives can be done in the patient’s office or home. From 24 hours after birth, mothers can benefit from home visits. But beware, the hygiene instructions are strict:
– home : the midwife must be alone with the mother and the baby. No dad around. It is the mother who must open the door and ensure the hygiene of the place, by disinfecting everything herself, before and after the arrival of the midwife.
– at the midwife’s office: it is she who disinfects all her equipment, all the space. It is often even more practical and less restrictive for mothers.
Despite this particular situation, “lbirth at home is not yet an eventuality.“Let the patients rest assured: all those who are in their third trimester and who have consultations in the hospital wear masks on the nose.”Everything is done so that there is no transmission.”
They are also afraid of being contaminated
There is also in these women the fear of being infected with the coronavirus and infect their babies. Doctors say today that there is no transmission of the virus via different fluids or through breast milk.
The midwives point out that:
- In case of non-obstetric symptoms, i.e. cough, fever, loss of smell or taste, it is necessary call the attending physician.
- In case of more severe symptoms, like respiratory problems, it is necessary call 15.
More you should only come to the hospital for obstetric reasons : pain, contractions, loss of fluids, blood, etc. Otherwise, it is take the risk of infecting yourself.
My partner works in the food industry. Every night, I have a lump in my stomach when he comes home. I tell myself he can come home with the virus.
– Morgane, 8 months pregnant
Here again, midwives want to be reassuring: it suffices to respect the barrier gestures also at home. Pregnant women should avoid going out as much as possible. “If their spouse or loved one can go shopping, that’s better.“
Doctors and health professionals also recall:
- The spouse who comes home should take a shower and put on clean clothes.
- The virus, when it is on the skin, does not develop. Contamination occurs through the face (eyes, nose, ears, mouth). Hence the need to wash your hands with the hydroalcoholic solution or soap.
- For groceries that would be wrapped in plastic, it is best to disinfect them with a wipe.
COVID-19: the protocol for welcoming expectant mothers in maternity hospitals has changed
Report in Côte-d’Or by Anne Berger, Amélie Douay and Pascal Rondi
COVID-19: the protocol for welcoming expectant mothers in maternity hospitals has changed
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