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Information about Coronavirus during pregnancy, birth and Maternity Care

Last updated: 15-12-2020

These days there is a worldwide focus on the Coronavirus. In this article you can find the information on Coronavirus in relation to pregnancy, birth and Maternity Care.

So far, there are no special measures for pregnant women, maternity women and newborn baby's. Kraamzorg de Waarden provides Maternity Care like usual and assists during deliveries.

PAY ATTENTION!
At the moment the risk level in our work area is 'very serious'. Source: Central government corona dashboard.

This has the following consequences:

As long as the risk level is very serious, we ask our cliënt not to receive visitors during the maternity week when the nurse is there.
The maternity nurse can choose to use personal protective equipment preventively, even if everyone in the family is healthy.
The intakes are carried out as long as the risk level is very serious, by telephone.

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Being pregnant during the Coronacrisis

One moment you are untroubled pregnant, busy decorating the nursery and the next moment your whole world is upside down. We understand this can make you very insecure and off course you have a lot of questions.

This period is very uncertain for everyone. But during your pregnancy you also have this primal feeling to protect your (unborn) baby at all costs. There is not a lot of information available about Coronavirus, therefore these are uncertain times for upcoming parents.

But what dó we know?

Can you transmit the coronavirus to your baby during pregnancy?

Previous “new” viruses revealed that pregnant women were an increased risk group. Fortunately, that does not seem to be the case with the new Coronavirus. As a pregnant woman you are no more at risk of miscarriage or birth defects than with other infectious diseases that cause fever.

The Medical Journal The Lancet published a study about nine pregnant women with Corona. Among other things they tested the amniotic fluid, the milk in their breasts and the blood from the umbilical cord. The most important outcome is that it seems highly unlikely the virus can be transmitted in the womb (vertical transmission).

A few babies have been born who developed symptoms fairly soon after delivery, but it is not clear whether that contamination occurred through the placenta or otherwise.

A new study was published on March 26. This has been performed on infected pregnant women in Wuhan. 33 babies were examined after birth for the study. Of the 33 babies, 3 of them showed that there were indications that they may have been infected in the womb and that they therefore became ill. The research group in this study was also very small. In addition, two out of three sick babies also had other problems such as pematurity and meconium in the amniotic fluid.

Due to these factors it is actually still too early to draw conclusions. Larger groups of patients are needed for reliable results. And good to know is that most babies were healthy after birth in these studies.

It is however advisable for the expectant mother to be extra alert if you are feeling unwell and contact your GP if you a running a temperature above 38 degrees.

An advantage of the current measures that apply in the Netherlands is that you also have less chance of other infectious diseases.

Midwives have all taken measures to protect everyone as well as possible. This may feel a bit "bare", but it is now necessary to continue to provide care for everyone, before, during and after delivery.

Giving birth during the Coronacrisis

Due to the current situation, your birth plans may change. In a number of regions, a decision has been made to stop bathing at this time. However, this is not a national policy. Ask your midwife what the policy is in your region.

It is good to know that obstetrics is an absolute priority in most hospitals. Every hospital has its own policy and measures that they apply to prevent infection of Coronavirus. You can find more information about this on the website of the hospital where you are going to give birth. Our maternity nurse follows the hospital delivery, the policies and protocols of the hospital in question.

What is the risk of the virus to newborn babies?

No child has yet died of the coronavirus in the Netherlands. In addition, RIVM emphasizes that most young people hardly get any complaints when infected. For example, most young people will not even notice that they are sick if they are infected with the virus.

Source: RTL News

Maternity care during the Corona crisis

Kraamzorg de Waarden makes every effort to prevent the further spread of the Corona virus. We are in close contact with RIVM and the GGD. We follow their advice and guidelines. We take our social responsibility to prevent further spread of the virus.

In the event of a (suspicious) infection of Corona by the maternity woman or other members of the family, the situation will be examined per situation.

Maternity care guidelines for Corona

Our employees are continuously informed of the latest guidelines that apply nationally from RIVM and the GGDs and follow these guidelines closely. Our employees can contact our prevention officer with questions.

Deployment of maternity nurses

Our employees are trained to work as hygienically as possible and know how important it is not to transmit viruses while providing care. In addition, health care personnel must stay at home with colds and fever. Our maternity nurses can always discuss this with our prevention officer. For example, as an organization we keep a close eye on our employees and we are extra alert.

Students / pupils

In recent months, the courses and internships of our students / students of midwifery / maternity care have come to a halt as a result of Corona. Now that the easing measures make it possible to have an extra person present during the delivery and care, the midwives and maternity care organizations ask for your cooperation to admit a student / pupil to your delivery / care. It is important for everyone that the capacity of midwives and maternity nurses remains on target especially at this time.

Note that not all hospitals are currently able to have an extra person at your birth.

Protective materials while caring

Our maternity nurse wears gloves during all care activities. In addition, she closely follows all applicable guidelines and rules. Personal protective equipment is also used in a healthy maternity woman if the maternity assistant provides care within 1.5 meters for longer than 15 minutes or is less than 30 cm from the maternity's face for longer than 3 minutes. This can be, for example, during breastfeeding support. Our maternity nurses then wear glasses, a mouth mask and gloves.

Our maternity assistants all work in uniform. This uniform is washed daily at 60 degrees.

Our maternity nurse can choose to use personal protective equipment preventively, even if everyone in the family is healthy.

Protective materials in case of contamination

If the maternity woman has complaints that fit Corona, she must wear a surgical mask type II. She must provide a suitable mouth mask herself. (These are now readily available.) In case of complaints, she must have them tested, so that it is clear whether she has been fertilized or not and that the maternity nurse can use the appropriate protective means.

Wearing the surgical mouth mask is only necessary when providing care within 1.5 meters.

Intakes, hearing screening and office workers

All intakes are carried out as long as the risk level is very serious, by telephone or via video calling.

All home visits for neonatal hearing screening have now resumed. The heel prick is also still taken during the postpartum period. Our office employees work from home as much as possible. If that is not possible, they work in the office and keep a distance of 2 meters from each other. Our office is thoroughly cleaned every day. Additional cleaning agents such as hand disinfectant, soap and cleaning wipes have also been made available. In this way we reduce the chance of contamination and ensure that all important processes can continue.

Maternity visit during the Corona crisis

At the moment, the level of risk in our entire work area is 'very serious'. To protect the maternity family, the maternity nurse and to monitor the continuity of care, visitors cannot be received during the maternity week when the maternity nurse is in the house.

Even if the maternity nurse is away, we advise to be very cautious about maternity visits. We ask our clients to receive as little visitors as possible and preferably not to receive visitors. This way we prevent you as a family, as well as the maternity nurses, from coming into contact with many different contacts and therefore a greater chance of infection.

If you nevertheless opt for a visit when the maternity nurse is away, always observe the measures from the government.
It is also important that:

Keeping a distance of 1.5 meters must be possible;
the maternity family ensures that visitors with complaints do not come to visit;
maternity assistants from vulnerable groups are taken into account.

It is good to mention that according to the RIVM, healthcare professionals are exempted from the regulation with regard to the number of visitors. We follow the rules set by the industry. All this to protect the newborn and the maternity woman.

Breastfeeding and the Coronavirus

During pregnancy, it is discussed how you plan to feed your baby. Most people know that there are benefits to breastfeeding, but how exactly does that work?

In addition to the basic nutrients that every child needs (and which are also in formula), breast milk also contains a lot of substances that protect a baby against all kinds of infections. The main effects are seen in respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal infections. Especially nowadays this can be an extra motivation to breastfeed.

La Leche League provides extensive information about breastfeeding and the Corona virus.

You can join an online breastfeeding course with us.

Click here for more information

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What happens if I become infected with the Corona virus during or after my pregnancy?

In the event of a possible contamination during pregnancy, your midwife will be able to tell you what measures should be taken.

Work is currently underway to prepare for maternity care for infected maternity women. Our Planning department asks our families whether the family may be affected by the Corona virus before the maternity nurse is dispatched.

How do I protect my baby against corona?

As long as you have Corona, you can infect your baby during or after delivery. For example if you give or hug your baby food. Therefore, the following things are important. You take these measures until you have no complaints for 24 hours.

Wash your hands well before you touch your baby.
Wash your hands well before breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
You can decide to have the bottle given by someone else who is not infected with corona.
Only use your own breast pump and clean it well.
Wear a mouth mask when feeding, grooming and cuddling to minimize the chance of your baby becoming infected. What kind of mask and how to use it, the maternity assistant, doctor or midwife will explain.
Use a new face mask with each feeding.
All these things also apply to other people in your house with complaints. They apply at all times when there is contact with the baby, such as changing, bottle feeding and cuddling.
If you and your baby are in the same room, at least when the baby is not being fed or changed, keep it at least 1.5 meters. This also applies to other housemates with corona.

Corona cannot get into breastfeeding. With good hygiene (see above) you can simply breastfeed. You may be afraid of infecting your baby with corona. That cannot be completely prevented. The midwife, maternity assistant or doctor will work with you to ensure that the chance of your baby being infected is as small as possible. If it does happen, you don't have to feel guilty about it. Your baby is unlikely to get very sick from corona.

Measures to prevent contamination and spreading of the Corona virus

n first instance the Corona virus is a virus that resembles the symptoms of a common cold virus. The virus can be dangerous for people with a weakened immune system and the elderly. The most important way of contamination is by coughing and sneezing within a range of 1,5 metres of others. By coughing and sneezing a person transmits the virus through his nose, throat or lungs. Small droplets spread the virus. If other people inhale these droplets or transfer them via their hands in their mouth,nose or eyes, for example, they can become infected with the virus.

All care assistants at Kraamzorg de Waarden have been informed and know how to act to prevent contamination with the virus. They know what to look out for and who to contact when in doubt about symptoms of illness.

We follow the information of the RIVM. This website gives more information and is available in English)The most important measures to prevent contamination/spreading of the Corona virus are quite simple.

Wash your hands frequently
Cough and sneeze on the inside of your elbow
Use paper tissues and dispose of them after using them once.

Coronavirus handen wassen Kraamzorg de Waarden

More information

For more information about the Coronavirus, we refer you to the RIVM website. In addition, you can always contact our lactation experts with questions about (breast) nutrition.

Frequently asked questions about the Corona virus in relation to

pregnancy

Have I contracted the Corona virus?

The RIVM website shows you if there are signs for you to take futher actions.Call your doctor if in doubt. You can then discuss whether you should be tested or not. Since 1 June, anyone with complaints can have themselves tested, click here to make an appointment for a test. Are you going to the midwife or gynecologist and do you think you might be infected with the Corona virus? Then first call the midwife or the hospital before you go there.

Can I go to the midwife or gynecologist with Corona complaints?

Are you going to the midwife or gynecologist and do you think you might be infected with the Corona virus? Please call the midwife or hospital first before going there.

I have complaints (cough, cold in the nose, sore throat, feeling like a flu and / or fever), can my medical ultrasound examination continue?

No, you stay at home in case of complaints. It is important to get tested first. Do contact your attending midwife, general practitioner or gynecologist by telephone: they will see where and when your ultrasound examination can best take place.

Can I still have a fun ultrasound made?

Yes. This also applies, only if there are no complaints from Corona.

Is the Corona virus more severe for a pregnant woman?

As this is a new virus, how it may affect you is not yet clear. Generally, pregnant women do not appear to be more susceptible to contracting the virus . It is still unsure whether the course of the infection with the virus differs from those who aren’t pregnant. What we do know from other viral infections is that there is a higher chance for pulmonary problems in pregnant women.

I have to go to the midwife / hospital for a check-up. Can I bring someone?

Whether or not you can take someone with you to the check-up differs per practice and per hospital. It also depends on the type of appointment. Ask your midwife or your hospital what is or is not allowed.

Is a pregnant woman more seriously ill from the Coronavirus?

The vast majority of pregnant women infected with Corona have mild / mild complaints. A very small proportion of pregnant women can become seriously ill, especially women with risk factors such as obesity and diabetes.

Can the unborn baby become infected during the pregnancy or birth?

The chance that a baby will become infected in the belly or during delivery seems very small at the moment. The limited data in the medical literature shows that these babies have been doing well.
Also, the baby can become infected shortly after delivery if the parents are contagious at that time and it is very important that hygiene measures are observed.

Am I prone to a miscarriage due to the Corona virus?

Based on the few known data there are no indications women with a Corona infection are more at risk of a miscarriage or loss of the pregnancy.

Possibly there is a slight chance of a premature birth but it is still not clear whether this is a case of spontaneous premature labour or this was a prematurely induced birth due to medical conditions.

I am currently infected with the Corona virus and are in home isolation.
Will my appointment with the midwife or obstetrician be cancelled?

In this case consult your midwife/obstetrician by phone. Don’t visit them without their consent!!

I am currently infected with the Corona virus. Am I still allowed to have a homebirth?

On the now known few facts it is advisable to give birth in hospital due to the fact careful monitoring of your baby (electrocardiogram CTG) is necessary. If you have recovered from the virus more than a fortnight ago a home birth might still be an option. Your midwife will advice you in this case. Coronavirus virus Kraamzorg de Waarden R1140Q80S283869

Am I allowed to breastfeed if I’m infected?

At present there is njo evidence that the virus can be carried in breast milk. We advise you to wear a facemask and rigorously follow the hygiene rules (wash your hands before touching the baby or your breasts, use your own breast-pump or feeding bottle ans clean the latter items thoroughly after using them).

As it’s possible to infect the baby when in close contact with you it would be wise to consider to leave the feeding of your expressed milk to a healthy person..(partner, care assistant).

I have recovered after being infected with the Corona virus. Am I now due to be monitored by an obstetrician?

If you have been hospitalized because you had a Corona infection, the check-ups for the remainder of your pregnancy are usually done by the gynecologist. If you only had mild complaints and you were under the control of a midwife, even during the infection, you can remain under the care of the midwife. Because we still have limited data, it is important that the midwife and / or gynecologist keeps a close eye on how the rest of your pregnancy is progressing by monitoring the growth externally or ultrasound.

I'm going to give birth. Can other people be at the delivery?

Your partner can be at the delivery. In the home situation it is sometimes possible to have an extra person present at the delivery. This depends on the midwife and maternity nurse.
Depending on the possibilities and rules in the hospital, in many hospitals no extra person can go with you to the delivery. Ask your hospital what is or is not allowed. As outside of Corona times, don't take your kids with you, ask a nanny at your place.

I am about to give birth, can I go to the hospital?

You can certainly give birth in hospital if it is medically necessary for you to give birth in hospital. Is it not necessary for you to give birth in hospital, but would you like to? Then that is possible in most hospitals, this is called outpatient delivery. Ask your midwife or gynecologist about what is possible in your area.
Midwives, gynecologists, pediatricians and maternity care try to ensure that pregnant women can go to as many hospitals as possible for the delivery.

I now have an infection with the Coronavirus, can I give birth at home?

You can give birth with mild / mild complaints, just like pregnant women without Corona, at the place of your choice, at home, in an outpatient clinic in the hospital or in a Birth Center. If the Corona complaints are serious, the delivery must take place in a hospital under the supervision of a gynecologist so that we can keep a close eye on you and the baby and, if necessary, provide treatment. Your healthcare provider and you will discuss this thoroughly.

How do I protect my baby against corona during care?

As long as you have Corona, you can infect your baby during or after delivery. For example when you hug your baby. Therefore the following things are important. You take these measures until you have no complaints for 24 hours and it has been more than 7 days since you became ill.

Wash your hands well before touching your baby.
Wash your hands well before breastfeeding, bottle feeding or pumping.
You can decide to have the bottle given by someone else who is not infected with corona.
Only use your own breast pump and clean it well.
Wear a mouth mask when feeding, grooming and cuddling to minimize the risk of infecting your baby. The maternity nurse, doctor or midwife will explain which type of mouth mask and how to use it.
Use a new mouth cap with every feeding.
If you and your baby are in the same room, you should at least keep 1.5 meters when the baby is not being fed or changed. This also applies to other housemates with Corona.

Can Corona Get Into Breast Milk?

Corona cannot enter breast milk. Antibodies against Corona do get into breast milk. This is likely to help your baby if he or she becomes infected with Corona.
With good hygiene (see above) you can simply breastfeed. You may be concerned that you will infect your baby with corona. That cannot be completely prevented. The midwife, maternity nurse or doctor will do everything with you to ensure that the chance that your baby is infected is as small as possible. If it does happen, you don't have to feel guilty about it. Your baby probably won't get very sick from corona.
More information can be found on the website of the Dutch breastfeeding council.

The actual maternity care.

Kraamzorg de Waarden follows the guidelines given by both the RIVM and the established government measures. Our professionally trained care assistants will be updated on a daily base about the development of the Corona virus and the measures they can take to prevent spreading of the virus.

Source: NVOG

The Corona rules in different languages

In the new television program 'Corona Rules', multilingual children explain the most important corona rules in their second language. Think of: washing hands, wearing a mouth mask, keeping your distance, no more than three people visiting or on the street and no shaking or hugging hands outside of your family.