As the second wave of Covid-19 hits the country, hospitals are overloaded and the French are in limbo. Future parents are worried about the follow-up of pregnancies, which cannot be suspended like certain other operations. Fortunately, everything goes normally within the limits of the health protocol, although teleconsultation is recommended.
The second wave of the pandemic is not making it easy for anyone. The new lockdown, while very different from the first, imposes very loose rules and laws for the entire country. As we go after schools and little ones, what about babies along the way? Parents wonder and wonder if the pregnancy follow-up or childbirth will be able to proceed normally. If it happens masked, and if it is also restricted in terms of accompanying the mother as in the first confinement.
Pregnancy monitoring
Professor Cyril Huissoud, Secretary General of the National College of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) sheds light on the issue for our colleagues from magicmaman. Whether in the maternity ward, ultrasounds, in the laboratory, with midwives or any other health personnel, the health protocol must be followed without fail. Social distancing where possible, wearing a mask and disinfecting the hands are mandatory. No exception for pregnant women! In fact, as with all other services, online appointments, email reports and credit card payments are preferred.
With regard to high-risk pregnancies, pregnant women can of course continue their face-to-face monitoring.
Even if all the compulsory pregnancy examinations are maintained, non-urgent consultations will be carried out by teleconsultation. Professor Huissoud explains that “when possible, to relieve the teams in charge of COVID in the maternity ward, women are also encouraged to make these follow-up consultations with a liberal midwife or a town doctor, by appointment”. Ultrasounds are of course continued, and pregnant women may be accompanied by a person.
If unfortunately a mother-to-be is infected with the virus or may be infected, the appointment is postponed by 2 weeks, in the event that it is only a routine ultrasound.
What about childbirth?
Professor Huissoud brings good news and admits they learned from the first lockdown. “Wearing a surgical mask is still recommended, but from now on, if the mother is really embarrassed at the time of the expulsion, the maternity ward may offer to replace it with a visor. If this is not enough, the woman can remove her mask, provided that all caregivers around her are wearing an FFP2 mask, although not all maternity hospitals have one.”. Phew! Giving birth is not a very pleasant activity already, so with a mask, you can't even imagine.
This time, the spouse may also be present, even if he / she is a carrier of the virus! Only conditions: not to have symptoms and to respect the sanitary measures. He / she better not sneeze!