How to Prepare for Childbirth in the Middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic

DicatNews - How to Prepare for Childbirth in the Middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Reporting from several sites note that careful preparation is needed to give birth in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic. If pregnant mother is about to give birth soon, know first what things she needs to do and prepare before labor, both normally and by Caesarean section.

WHO states that all pregnant women, including those infected with or suspected of being infected with COVID-19, are entitled to receive good quality care before, during and after delivery.

So, keep in mind that pregnant women who will give birth in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic have the right to:

• Get respectful and dignified treatment
• Accompanied during childbirth
• Obtain clear information about pregnancy or childbirth from the doctor or midwife who cared for him
• Get treatment according to their needs
• Get referrals if needed
• Make choices regarding pregnancy
• This Preparation for Childbirth Amid the Pandemic COVID-19

To prepare for childbirth in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, there are a number of things that are important for Bumil to know, namely:

Self protection

Pregnancy naturally causes the immune system to decrease. This makes pregnant women more susceptible to infections, including Corona virus infection. In addition, various changes in the body that occur during pregnancy also make pregnant women can experience more severe symptoms when exposed to COVID-19.

Approaching the time of delivery, the schedule of pregnancy checks to the obstetrician or midwife also becomes more frequent. That is, pregnant women more often leave the house. Now, to reduce the risk of contracting the Corona virus, it is very important for pregnant women to take precautions, including by:

• Wash your hands as often as possible using water and soap or hand sanitizers whose alcohol content is at least 60%
• Do not leave the house first, except when there is an urgent need, and do not travel to a crowded place
• Perform physical distancing, which is to maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from other people, when outside the home
• Use a cloth mask when you want to leave the house
• Avoid contact with sick people
• Do not touch the eyes, nose and mouth if you have not washed your hands
• Applying the ethics of coughing and sneezing

In addition, maintain endurance by eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Take pregnancy supplements as directed by your doctor and do not forget to check your pregnancy to the doctor according to the specified schedule.

Choice of birthplace

The choice of place of birth, whether at home, clinic, or hospital, also needs to be carefully considered by considering the risks and benefits. Discuss this with your doctor first.

If a pregnant woman wants to give birth at a clinic or at home, make sure there is an ambulance or vehicle that can reach the pregnant woman's place. This is just in case if Bumil must be immediately referred to the hospital.

If pregnant women suffer from COVID-19 or may have certain health problems, you should not give birth at home. It would be safer if Bumil gave birth in a hospital so that Bumil's condition could be closely monitored and the baby could be protected as much as possible during labor and afterwards.

To give birth at the hospital, first determine which hospital will be the place where Bumil gave birth to in advance. Pregnant women also have to control their obstetrician to find out the estimated time of delivery.

During labor in the hospital, both by cesarean section and normal, pregnant women may be accompanied. However, companion as much as possible is limited to only one person.

Even so, if Bumil's companion has symptoms of COVID-19 or is unwell, she is not permitted to enter the delivery room. This is done so that pregnant women, babies, and doctors or midwives who help deliveries are not infected with the Corona virus.

Delivery method

Pregnant women are freed to choose the method of labor, whether to give birth normally or by cesarean section. However, this choice must still be adapted to pregnant pregnancy conditions. The obstetrician or midwife will give advice on how to give birth the best for pregnant women.

Caesarean section is usually only required under certain conditions, such as genital herpes infection or HIV in pregnant women, pregnancy with placenta previa, or pregnancy with an abnormal fetal position.

That is why, pregnancy checks still need to be done routinely according to schedule, so that doctors can monitor the health of pregnant women and fetuses, and determine the best method of delivery.

Special treatment for pregnant women with COVID-19

If pregnant women feel the symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, do self-isolation immediately and call the COVID-19 hotline at 119 Ext. 9 to get further direction.

Pregnant women with COVID-19 can still be free to choose the method of delivery they will undergo, but must be referred to the nearest COVID-19 referral hospital to undergo isolation and be given special treatment, both before labor, during labor, and after the baby is born.

During the isolation period, pregnant women with COVID-19 will continue to receive pregnancy care and supervision, adequate childbirth facilities, and moral support. In addition, babies born will also continue to get breast milk and care and supervision.

Preparations for childbirth in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic can indeed make pregnant women become confused and stressed. However, no need to worry, because pregnant women and children will still get the best service, really, even though there are one or two things that are different from the labor procedures that are usually performed.

In order for the labor process to go smoothly, plan carefully the preparation of childbirth since entering the middle of the third trimester. Pregnant women can also start preparing items that need to be taken to the hospital.

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