Childbirth
Giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic can be stressful. It is normal to feel sad, scared or confused. There is currently not enough evidence to indicate that a mother can pass COVID-19 to her child during childbirth. It is important to talk to your health care provider about how COVID-19 may affect your birth plan and your family after birth:
If you plan to give birth in a hospital or birth centre, talk to your health care provider about your birth plan, and how it may need to change due to COVID-19.
Learn about the COVID-19 policies regarding support and visitors.
If you plan to give birth at home, talk to your midwife about whether homebirths are still an option in your province or territory, and precautions to take to ensure your home environment is safe.
If you have COVID-19, talk to your health care provider about how this may affect giving birth.
Your health care provider may consult other specialists for you or your baby as required.
Baby care
If possible, you and your baby should not leave home unless medically necessary. Once a baby is born, they can get COVID-19 from other people, so it is important to put in place measures to prevent the spread of the infection. If you have or think you have COVID-19, you must isolate yourself in your home. This includes practicing physical distancing in your home, with the only exception being the baby. You can hold your baby skin-to-skin and stay in the same room as your baby if preferred, especially during the establishment of breastfeeding and for bonding.
If you are symptomatic (even if symptoms are mild) you should take all possible precautions to avoid spreading the virus to your baby:
Wash your hands often, especially before and after touching your baby andother children.
Practice proper respiratory etiquette
Wear a non-medical mask or face covering (i.e. constructed to completely cover the nose and mouth without gaping, and secured to the head by ties or ear loops) when you are close to your baby (less than 2 metres) and especially during feeding time.
Ensure the environment around you is clean and disinfected with approved hard-surface disinfectants.
Breastfeeding is recommended, when possible, as it has many health benefits and offers the most protection against infection and illness throughout infancy and childhood. The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been found in breast milk. Breastfeeding can provide important food security for your baby.
If you have or think you have COVID-19, follow the precautions listed above when feeding your baby. In addition, parents should also consider the following:
If using a nursing pillow, put a clean towel on the pillow each time you are feeding your baby.
If using a breast pump, sterilize your equipment carefully before and after each use. Wash the pump/containers after every use with liquid soap (i.e. dishwashing liquid and warm water). Rinse with hot water for 10-15 seconds.
Do not share bottles or breast pump.
If you are too ill to breastfeed or provide routine baby care, you are encouraged to ask a healthy adult to feed and care for the baby. As there is COVID-19 in the home, they should wear a non-medical face mask or facial covering and wash their hands frequently when caring for the baby.
SOURCE: Government of Canada website
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-advise-mothers.html
____________________________________
♥️Jods
YOU ARE READING
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Informatics
RastgeleCoronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Old...
