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Expecting Parents and Their Struggle During COVID-19

Posted on by Sophie Young

Expecting Parents and Their Struggle During COVID-19

By Sophie Young

 

Covid-19 has disrupted many momentous milestones for people across the board, but here is why childbirth may be one of the most significantly impacted of them all.

Expectant couples are now faced with a new series of obstacles. In an article from NPR, Carissa Helmer and her husband found out they were expecting in early April when COVID spiked in D.C. Helmer commented on the situation, saying that many aspects of being pregnant during a pandemic were helpful, such as working from home; however, she’s had to attend all of her doctor appointments alone. “It’s completely understandable,” Helmer says, “but I think that that’s something…we hadn’t anticipated in a first pregnancy — that my husband wouldn’t be able to be in the room.” (“Safe Pregnancy As COVID-19 Surges: What’s Best For Mom And Baby?”)​ 4​.

   It’s not just doctors appointments that spouses and partners are missing; in many cases, it’s the actual birth. Currently, most hospitals will test each patient for Covid-19 before entry into the delivery ward; they will then proceed to a delivery room where they will be required to wear a mask, and meet a small group of nurses and doctors to deliver.

Although there hasn’t been much research on the effects of COVID effects on pregnant people, a paper published by the Public Health Agency of Sweden last month in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, made interesting discoveries. Researchers found that pregnant or immediately postpartum women with COVID-19 were nearly six times as likely to land in ICUs as their non-pregnant, COVID-19–infected peers. (“Why Pregnant Women Face Special Risks from COVID-19.”) ​3 ​. In comparison, Mass General’s early data initially did not show a higher risk for pregnant persons than non-pregnant adults. Nevertheless, new data from the CDC has shown that pregnant persons may have more of an increased risk than previously thought, and there may be an increased need for mechanical ventilation. However, only about 13.5% of delivery patients are asymptomatic.

   Another finding was on the transmission of COVID-19 and if an expectant person can pass the virus on to the fetus. Published data has not found the virus in the placentas, amniotic fluid, or breast milk of mothers with COVID-19. This means the potential transmission is most likely to occur after delivery. There has been a huge emotional impact on pregnant persons, as well. Anxiety and fear have had a considerable uptick in both the household and family of newborns. Social distancing requirements have (for the most part) isolated new little members of the family.

   During the coronavirus era, pregnancy and birth procedures have changed dramatically; will there be any lasting effects in the future?

 

 

 

 

Citations

“Coronavirus (COVID-19) During Pregnancy: FAQs for Pregnant Patients.” ​Massachusetts General Hospital,​ ​www.massgeneral.org/obgyn/news/faq-coronavirus-during-pregnancy​. ​1

Kristi-Palma. “A Local Nurse on Giving Birth during the Coronavirus Pandemic.” Boston.com,​ TheBostonGlobe,14May2020, www.boston.com/culture/lifestyle/2020/05/14/local-nurse-on-giving-birth-during-the-corona virus-pandemic​. ​2

Meredith WadmanAug. 4, 2020, et al. “Why Pregnant Women Face Special Risks from COVID-19.” ​Science,​ 6 Aug. 2020, www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/why-pregnant-women-face-special-risks-covid-19​. ​3

Wamsley, Laurel. “Safe Pregnancy As COVID-19 Surges: What’s Best For Mom And Baby?” ​NPR,​ NPR, 17 July 2020, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/07/17/891455307/navigating-pregnancy-risks-in-t he-covid-19-era​. ​4

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Sophie Young

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31 Comments

  1. Thanks for writing about it! Two women in my circle gave a birth during pandemic and we all were worried about them. Everything ended up being fine, but still, it was stressful. I know that regular flu might cost a huge damage on fetus, I can only imagine what Covid might do and how scary it could be to be pregnant in 2020.

  2. This is an insightful article about the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women. This virus has been hard on every human being, but especially hard on expecting parents. The potential transmission of the virus from a mother to her own child could take a toll on her mental health and eventually lead to anxiety and stress. You have covered the emotional aspect of this issue really well. How have parents with newborns dealt with Covid-19 so far? Another aspect to consider is the financial situation of the expecting parents. Since many have had their incomes cut, or have even lost jobs, how can governments help expecting parents during this pandemic? How can we help?

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