A message to our midwifery clients,
There is no doubt we are all very cognizant of the rapidly changing dynamics regarding the COVID-19 epidemic. We wanted to give you the latest updates.
The 3 leading organizations for Obstetrics and Gynecology published Covid-19 practice advisories this week. You can read them here:
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [USA]:
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [UK]:
https://www.rcog.org.uk/coronavirus-pregnancy
These are the highlights from all 3 of these key organizations:
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Pregnant women should be considered an at-risk population due to physiologic and immunologic changes in pregnancy
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Covid-19 transmission to the baby in pregnancy seems unlikely. There has been a single case report of possible transmission in pregnancy. Again, there is very limited data.
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As there is no evidence your baby can get infected while in the uterus it is currently considered unlikely that there will be congenital effects of the virus on your baby’s development.
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To date, there is currently no conclusive data suggesting an increased risk of miscarriage or early pregnancy loss in relation to COVID-19. Case reports from early pregnancy studies with SARS and MERS reported pregnancy losses but did not demonstrate a convincing relationship between infection and increased risk of miscarriage or second trimester loss.
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As with SARS and MERS and drawing upon our knowledge of other respiratory illnesses in pregnancy, adverse outcomes are likely to be strongly correlated with degree of illness – most pregnant people who contract Covid-19 will experience only mild or moderate cold/flu like symptoms.
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If you are immunocompromised, have asthma or lung disease, diabetes, renal disease, or chronic illness, be extra vigilant in pregnancy with hand hygiene and Social Distancing.
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COVID-19 has not been found in breastmilk. Breastfeeding your baby is recommended.
For more information please refer to:
Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/about-us/news/vancouver-coastal-health-statement-on-coronavirus
BCCDC:: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-professionals/clinical-resources/covid-19-care
Public Health Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html