By Donna Delaney
You’re 35 weeks pregnant and anxiously awaiting the birth of your precious little one, and the most unexpected thing happens!
A world-wide pandemic strikes and your already busy mind is wrought with new fears and worries.
I feel you.
I can only imagine what’s going through your mind right now.
- How will this affect my baby?
- How will it affect my labor and birth?
- Is it safe to go to the hospital?
- Who will be there to support me?
These, and a million other questions, are buzzing through your brain at a time when you deserve to be feeling the joy of this new life you have been waiting for.
I want to help answer some of these questions with the latest facts from leading organizations world wide. But most importantly,
I want you to know my care and commitment to you as you navigate this unprecedented experience.
COVID-19 and Pregnancy: The Facts
One of the best ways to calm fear is to know the facts. One of my favorite resources for the latest information about pregnancy and birth is Evidence Based Birth.
Recently, I had the opportunity to listen to a webinar, presented by Rebecca Dekker of Evidence Based Birth, to understand the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 and pregnancy. These are my takeaways.
- Currently, there is NO evidence to suggest that there is vertical transmission from parent to baby.
So, even if you become sick with COVID-19 during your pregnancy you can feel better that
your baby will be safe.
- Currently, there is NO evidence to suggest that being pregnant puts you at greater risk of being infected or becoming severely ill from COVID-19
So, you are like the rest of the population and probably have about a 50% chance of contracting coronavirus — AND
will likely only experience mild (if any) symptoms.
- 90% of pediatric cases of COVID-19 were asymptomatic, mild or moderate.
So, if you’re newborn were to become infected with the coronavirus after being born the chances of them becoming severely ill are very low.
And Don’t just take my word for it. You can listen and come away with your own takeaways. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/covid19/
…Now Breathe
Keeping You and Your Baby Safe: Practices and Protocols
What seems to be the biggest factor controlling Coronavirus?
Isolation and distance.
But those aren’t the words we typically associate with childbirth.
All across the world, leading organizations that set the policies and protocols for best practices, are scrambling to gather the information needed to rapidly make the necessary changes to keep you and your baby safe.
Hospitals are having to make tough decisions for the well-being of everyone. Most of those decisions limit who will be there to share in and support you during the birth of your baby.
ProDoula, one of the leading, professional doula training organizations, recommends Doulas use the safe and socially responsible practice of zero face-to-face contact during this outbreak. This will allow the health professionals necessary equipment and space needed to be sure you and your family are safe during your birth.
Orlando Doulas supports this safe practice, and assures all of our clients we are here for you
Offering our services virtually to assure you have the information and support you need to birth with confidence.
How Can We Help?
Be sure to get on our e-mail list for the latest information regarding Coronavirus and all things pregnancy, labor, birth and babies.
Links and Resources:
- .https://evidencebasedbirth.com/
- Information from the WHO, and CDC on facts and statistics regarding COVId-19 and pregnancy
- ProDoula the Leading Edges Doula Training Organization
- https://www.prodoula.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19_ProDoula_Position3-2020.pdf
