Published 28th March 2020, updated 8th April 2020
Since the first post I published on Pregnancy & Coronavirus on the 17th March 2020 there has been a lot of updates and changes to information!
For the most up to date information, please do go onto the website of the Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecologists (RCOG) – CLICK HERE
On 16th March 2020, the Chief Medical Officer classified all pregnant women in the vulnerable group and they have been recommended to follow all the social distancing guidance issued by the Government for vulnerable people (click here for guidance). The Government are taking this as a ‘precautionary measure’ as there is still little evidence and so much unknown about the impact of Coronavirus on pregnant women and their babies.
RCOG have recommended that anyone in their 3rd trimester (28 weeks pregnant or more) should be particularly observant to social distancing and minimising contact with others outside the immediate family unit.
On the 24th March 2020, it was announced that ‘shielding’ measures should take place for anyone at very high risk of severe illness from Coronavirus, this includes pregnant women with significant heart disease (congenital or acquired). The information of the shielding guidelines were sent out in a letter to all individuals.
RCOG and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) say that it is really important that you still attend your scheduled antenatal appointments and also to get in contact with your named community midwife if you have any concerns. If you have any Coronavirus symptoms prior to an appointment, the advice is to phone your community midwife to postpone routine visits until after the isolation period is over.
Some appointments may be conducted over the phone and you may be asked to keep the number of people who attend appointments with you to a minimum.
During labour and birth you will be encouraged to have your birth partner with you, however, if they have symptoms of Coronavirus they will be unable to attend the maternity unit for the safety of the birthing woman and the staff working in the maternity unit.
Published 9th April 2020
From tomorrow our dedicated maternity telephone line will be up and running, to answer your questions relating to pregnancy and Covid-19. Calls will be answered by an experienced midwife, 10 am – 12:30 pm and 2 pm – 4-30 pm Monday to Friday (including bank holidays). Call 01977 747433
Published 2nd April 2020
Wakefield & District Maternity Voices Partnership Facebook Group (Maternity Voices Partnerships (MVPs) are working groups: teams of women and their families, commissioners, maternity staff working together to review and contribute to the development of their local maternity care. – https://www.facebook.com/WakfieldDistrictMVP/
Current information from RCOG – https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/
Current information from the Government – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults