Learn how you and your newborn’s care will be managed if you are exposed to the Corona Virus COVID-19 during pregnancy.

Please keep in mind that hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer is one of the best ways to prevent transmission.  Also be mindful during this pandemic to keep your hands away from your face as much as possible.

The pathways below may vary slightly state-to-state and these policies are ever changing as the center for disease control and your health care providers continue to learn how to manage corona virus COVID-19 during pregnancy.

SCENARIO 1:  YOU HAVE A POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO CORONA VIRUS COVID-19 DURING PREGNANCY.

If you are pregnant and think you may possibly have been exposed to COVID-19, your first step is to notify your healthcare provider.  Your provider will first ask you if you have traveled to an area with confirmed ongoing community COVID-19 transmission.

If YES, you will be asked more about where you traveled.  If you traveled to one of the higher risk areas, you will be then asked about symptoms.  If YES to symptoms, a clinical pathway will be initiated.  See Pathways below.

If NO, you will be asked if you have had close contact with someone who had a confirmed case of COVID-19 OR if local public health officials have contacted you to tell you that you may have been exposed.

If NO, your screening ends.  You should call back if symptoms present.  If YES, your provider will ask you if you have any symptoms.  If NO, you will be asked to call again if you develop symptoms, no further actions will be required.  If YES, your clinical pathway will be initiated.

CLINICAL PATHWAYS

Pathway #1:  If you do not have any symptoms or your symptoms are mild, you will be asked to remain at home on a 14-day quarantine.  Your local Infection Control will be notified and will make recommendations.

Pathway #2:  If you have symptoms and require medical care, your provider will organize a place where they can safely evaluate you.  Please do not show up in an ER unannounced.  This puts more people at risk.  Infection control will get involved and assist planning your care.  When you arrive, you will be asked to place a face mask over your nose and mouth to protect others.  See “I am pregnant and have corona virus” below for what to expect in the hospital.

SCENARIO 2:  I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO CORONA VIRUS COVID-19 DURING PREGNANCY

If you have been exposed to someone who has corona virus, call your OB provider.  The screening above will be implemented.  Depending on whether or not you have symptoms and whether those symptoms are mild or severe will determine which pathway is implemented.

I HAVE A CONFIRMED CASE OF CORONA VIRUS COVID-19 DURING PREGNANCY

If you have a confirmed case of corona virus or have a high probability that you have the virus, please do not show up unannounced, even if in labor.  This is such an important step.  Notifying your OB provider prior to your arrival is the best way to minimize spreading the virus and the best way to protect the healthcare providers caring for you.  The labor and delivery unit will then have time to fully prepare for your arrival ensuring all personnel is safely prepared.

Infection control will be notified and involved in your care.

Here is what you should know and expect if you fall into this category:

1.     As soon as you arrive, a face mask will be given to you to place over your mouth and nose to prevent any droplets from sneezing or coughing in the hallways, elevators, etc., of the hospital.

2.    You will be placed in a negative pressure room also known as an isolation room. This room is intended to reduce/prevent the transmission of droplet contagious illnesses.

3.    Every person who visits or cares for you will be required to wear protective gear. This will likely feel cold, sterile and scary.  Please know, we care about you and our community which is why we are doing our best to prevent the transmission of this virus.  Unfortunately, this equipment is the best prevention.

4.   Your provider will come discuss the risks and benefits of temporarily separating you from your baby when the baby is born. This will be a difficult, emotional decision.  No one wants to be separated from their baby and it will break our hearts too.  But if separation is available, please consider this option, especially if you have symptoms or fall into the high-risk category.   It is what is safest to keep your baby healthy and prevent a NICU admission.

5,   Visitors (including labor support people) may or may not be allowed to be with you, depending on symptoms. Be prepared.  If you have confirmed corona virus, your support person, may be asked to leave the facility.  They are considered high risk and will likely be asked to self-quarantine.

6.   If your baby is removed at birth, your baby will be taken into his own isolation room. Every person, health care team member or healthy family member, who cares for your baby will be required to wear protective gear.  In case your baby is infected, we again, want to prevent the spread.  Please remember, your baby will be well cared for, even if we look like moon walkers while doing it.

7.   If “rooming in” is unavoidable, there are precautions that should be implemented for your baby’s safety. First, your baby should be kept at least 6 feet away from you.  If possible, a physical barrier, such as a curtain, should be present.

8.   If no other healthy adult is able to care for your newborn, you should put on a face mask and perform beyond excellent hand hygiene prior to each handling or feeding. These two steps are  the most important actions you can take to prevent transmission.

9.   If you are separated from your baby, you are encouraged to pump your breast milk and allow your baby’s caregiver or healthcare team to feed your milk to your baby. So far, the virus has not been found in samples of breast milk.

It is reassuring to know that so far, infants born to mothers with COVID-19 (which have only been a few) have tested negative for the virus.  The virus was also not found in samples of amniotic fluid or breastmilk of these limited cases.  The data is limited therefore extra caution, via the steps above, should be expected.

PREVENTION

If you are pregnant, you are considered among the higher risk and special population and extra precautions should be taken to prevent acquiring the virus.

1.   Stock up on supplies to limit how much you go out in places where the virus can be easily picked up (i.e., grocery carts, etc.) If possible, bring germicidal wipes with you to wipe off surfaces before touching.

2.   Keep space between yourself and others, avoid handshaking and hugs for a while.

3.   Avoid sick people.

4.   Wash your hands… a lot!

5.   Avoid traveling as much as possible.

6.   If there is an outbreak in your community – STAY HOME!!

WHERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CORONA VIRUS COVID-19 DURING PREGNANCY

To learn more about COVID-19 in relation to pregnancy and breastfeeding, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website under Higher Risk and Special Populations.

Written by Juliana Parker, RN. Please help Juliana create more posts like this by liking and sharing this post. Please comment below with questions or concerns you may have regarding pregnancy and COVID-19..