Covid-19: The pandemic’s far-reaching impact on pregnancy | Health24com
Research shows a significant drop in antenatal and follow-up visits to health facilities during South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdown. Tiyese Jeranji reports.There are far fewer visits to health facilities, often because women are scared of exposure to the SARS-CoV-2
“The problem that I had was that because it was lockdown, I couldn’t buy clothes. I didn’t have a receiving blanket because I’m old school so we don’t believe in buying stuff before the baby is born. Luckily the hospital gave us bags that had most of the things I needed for the early days. We couldn’t even get a birth certificate for my baby.”Mohlala says she became concerned when her baby was having breathing problems.
Also of concern is that about 11% of mothers living with HIV ran out of antiretroviral therapy and about 5% of mothers whose children needed care or vaccinations, did not seek such care.To put mothers like Mohlala at ease and to keep them safe, hospitals like Mowbray Maternity Hospital had to adapt.
She says multiple measures and operating procedures are now in place to ensure the safety of staff and patients. “These carefully thought-out plans include physical distancing, staff personal protective equipment , hand sanitiser at each patient's bed and main areas, limiting the number of personnel in tea rooms and compulsory screening for staff and patients alike.
“Covid is not the best scenario. It is a stressful time for everyone. But instead of concentrating on stressful feelings and dads worrying that they won’t be allowed in the labour ward, how about you start reading on how to welcome the baby? Read about how to kangaroo at home. Remember fathers are only allowed in the labour ward during birth and an hour after that for some. If you miss that, you have to come up with a plan on how to bond with this child.
Wilmot agrees. “Doulas have been so great at supporting the moms and they have a deep understanding of the hospital system. They understand the birthing environment and they have also become advocates. They understand all things that happen at the hospital.
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