Research has confirmed that the coronavirus is transmitted from a sick pregnant woman to her child. Infection is also possible during childbirth. Is it known which form of childbirth is better in this situation of COVID-19? What is the procedure after childbirth and breastfeeding? Finally, how should pregnant women protect themselves from COVID-19 infection? Explains the obstetrician gynecologist, Dr. Jacek Tulimowski.
- In pregnant women, the risk of a severe course of COVID-19 is high, there is frequent hospitalization, more frequent use of ECMO, and an increased risk of death
- The likelihood of your baby being infected by Caesarean section is very small. Dr. Tulimowski: do not be afraid that a woman with confirmed COVID-19 will infect the child during such a delivery
- In women with COVID-19, lactation must not be inhibited without clinical indications and breastfeeding must not be prohibited
- Pregnant women should use at least FFP2 masks, the gynecologist advises them not to wear surgical masks
- Read the first part of the conversation HERE
- You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page
For many years he was associated with the Clinic of Tumors of the Female Genital Organs of the Oncology Center in Warsaw. Currently, the place of work are private clinics “Tulimowski & Sterlińska”. In addition to professional work, for many years he has been promoting medical knowledge in the media: he is the editor-in-chief of the “Nowy Gynecological Gynecological” bimonthly, the creator of the “Dr Tulimowski Press Workshops” – training courses for journalists dealing with health issues, a consultant and expert of the Association “Journalists for Health” , television and radio programs about health. In 2020, he was awarded the title of Media Friend.
Monika Mikołajska / Medonet: We know that it is possible to transmit COVID-19 to a child during childbirth (the virus may be in the secretions of the woman’s birth canal). However, does the type of delivery matter? Is any of the forms better, safer?
Dr. Jacek Tulimowski, obstetrician gynecologist, editor-in-chief of the “New Gynecological Cabinet”: We still don’t know if mother-to-child transmission of coronavirus is related to the type of delivery. There is also no data on which delivery is better. At the beginning of the pandemic, it was believed that there was only to be a caesarean delivery – now this is not the case. We know that the probability of infection by caesarean section is very small. Therefore, you should not be afraid that a woman with a positive test for coronavirus during such a delivery will infect the baby. Of course, having a Caesarean section on a woman with COVID-19 is a major logistical undertaking.
What do we know? Well, if a pregnant woman diagnosed with COVID-19 is treated and hopefully avoids a severe course of the disease, she can give birth by force of nature. Based on the available studies, we know that in these situations such delivery is not contraindicated. In children born naturally, no virus was found.
What is the procedure when a woman with COVID-19 gives birth?
Earlier this year, the Canadian Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians issued a recommendation to quickly tighten the umbilical cord after natural birth and to abandon the so-called kangarooing – the idea is to prevent the skin of the newborn from coming into contact with the mother’s skin. After the delivery, the neonatologist only shows the baby to the mother, she has no right to skin-to-skin contact. However, this does not mean that the infected mother and child should be separated.
What about breastfeeding by women infected with SARS-CoV-2?
Even in women infected with COVID-19, lactation must not be inhibited and breastfeeding forbidden without clinical indications. Simply put, a woman suffering from COVID can feed her baby.
How should pregnancy be managed during a pandemic?
Pregnant women should be guided as non-pregnant. That is, all visits, all ultrasound examinations must be performed, unless there are specific contraindications for this.
At the end of our conversation, let’s recall how pregnant women should protect themselves against COVID-19 infection. What are the recommendations on this matter?
All organizations agree that the risk of severe COVID-19 in pregnant women is high, there is frequent hospitalization in intensive care units, more frequent use of ECMO, and an increased risk of death. Taking all this into account – to reduce the risk of contracting the disease, it is recommended to avoid touching the face, eyes, mouth and nose with your hands.
In case of coughing and sneezing, cover the mouth with a handkerchief, wearing masks in justified cases. Importantly, pregnant women should wear at least FFP2 masks, and non-surgical ones. Then – you should periodically disinfect door handles, handrails, countertops, telephones and remote controls. We know that SARS-CoV-2 is also transmitted through faeces, so it is important to thoroughly disinfect the toilet bowl and close the toilet and drain the water before using it. All these activities reduce the risk of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and thus all the complications we discussed earlier.
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