Coronavirus and pregnancy | Dr Peter England

This page will be used to provide updates for patients around Coronavirus and Pregnancy (COVID-19).

Last Updated January 2022

If you’re pregnant, you might be wondering how the coronavirus could impact your pregnancy. There is a lot of media discussion around coronavirus and it can make many people feel nervous.

Coronavirus contracted in pregnancy results in a more dangerous illness than in a non-pregnant woman, including a fivefold risk of hospitalisation and a threefold risk of an ICU admission. Pregnant women with COVID-19 have double the risk of intubation and ventilation.

For your unborn baby, if you contract COVID-19, there is an increased chance of premature labour and stillbirth.

COVID-19 Vaccine and Pregnancy

In line with international practice, Australian Government and RANCGOG guidelines, we encourage all pregnant or breastfeeding women to seek Pfizer vaccine to protect themselves against COVID-19.

The vaccine is safe for you and your unborn baby and results in over 90% protection and nearly 100% prevention of severe illness.

Looking after yourself at home

At Home Monitoring Program Guide – Current Guide (January 2022) for pregnant women with Covid monitoring their symptoms at home. This guide is shared with permission from Mercy Hospital for Women.

For Patients of Dr Peter England

The practice is open for business as usual. Please keep medical appointments as scheduled. We will be working towards minimising risk to all families and our staff. To do this, we ask for you to read and follow the following information:

Self-Isolating

If you are required to self isolate due to COVID-19 rules, restrictions or being a close contact of someone, please do not attend your pregnancy appointments. Call our team and we will arrange a telehealth appointment or discuss the safest option for you to receive your care.

Important information for patients attending the clinic for appointments during pregnancy – during community outbreaks

NOTE: THIS ADVICE IS FOR TIMES OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION ONLY.

Attend your appointment by yourself. At present, we respectfully ask that no children or partners attend medical appointments.
If you have symptoms of respiratory illness and your appointment is not urgent, please notify the rooms and we will reschedule your appointment to a later date when you have no symptoms.
If you have symptoms of respiratory illness and still need to be seen, please CALL THE ROOMS (03 9415 9088) prior to your appointment.
We will minimise the number of staff in the rooms each day to provide the safest working environment for our team, please be patient as they work to complete all tasks and assist all patients.
Video appointments can be arranged, call the rooms to discuss if this is the best option for you.
If you are having any scans, check before you arrive who can join you. Most places will request you come alone.
You are encouraged to call Midwife Glenda for any Midwifery support, during your pregnancy or after your birth. Glenda can assist with a range of supports for adjusting to life with a new baby.

Remember basic hand hygiene with soap and water for more than 20 seconds is an effective way to minimise your risk of contracting Covid-19 (coronavirus).

Please wear your mask as required, including to your appointments.

When arriving at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for an appointment, allow some extra time. At the entrance of the hospital, you will need to check in via QR Code and answer questions, the nursing team will be taking your temperature and asking you to sanitize your hands before you enter the building.

Additional Support for Maternity Patients

With some usual support services not available to parents, we are offering additional phone support from our Practice Midwife, Glenda. Coronavirus and pregnancy will not mean less assistance.

You will have met Glenda in the rooms during your pregnancy, and you can now call for telehealth support phone calls when you need them.

Glenda has delivered many babies and supported thousands of parents during her career. She is well known for being a great advocate and helping mums and dads adjust to being with a baby.

Postnatal Phone Support with Midwife Glenda is provided at no cost to our patients. If you are not a current patient, you are also welcome to call for assistance, we will just need a few details prior to your telehealth call.

Online Birth and Pregnancy Classes

To support all of my patients and help ensure you are well prepared for the birth of your baby, you will be provided with a complimentary code to complete the online antenatal classes developed by Nourish Baby. If you are a current patient and need the code, please message Midwife Glenda, or check your new patient pack.

Things to remember about coronavirus and pregnancy:

Young and middle aged healthy women who contract coronavirus are at risk of severe and life threatening illness. Please arrange to receive vaccination if you have not already done so.

Things to do to help avoid coronavirus:

If you have exposure to someone who is covid positive, you must seek immediate testing and isolate for 14 days.
Hand Hygiene is an excellent defence against a virus. Hand hygiene generally prevents a virus reaching your mouth, via eating, touching your face etc. Some great reminders about hand washing are on the Better Health website
Wash your hands regularly, especially before eating and after going to the toilet or changing nappies.
If you are pregnant, you should avoid travelling.
Social distancing is an excellent way to prevent the spread of a virus. Be cautious about where you visit and make sure you are not hugging/kissing or sitting closely with other people.
Speak with your doctor if you have any form of respiratory illness
Don’t panic. Your medical team has everything in place to provide a safe environment for you and your baby.

Your Birth and Coronavirus

There will be some minor changes that you will notice at the hospital. Upon entry, you’ll have a temperature check and they will ask some questions and request you clean your hands.

Your partner is now, and always will be, welcome to be with you during your birth. Each hospital has slightly different rules now, you can view the hospital’s website or social media for current updates.

If your baby is required to be in the Special Care Nursery, you will still be able to see them every day. Children and extended family will not be able to visit the Nursery.

During community outbreak times, children under 16 will not be able to visit a hospital. I recommend setting up video options prior to birth to be able to connect with children during your stay.

For updates and additional information:

RANZCOG

Australian Government Department of Health on a regular basis.

C ovid at Home Monitoring Program Guide – Current Guide (January 2022) for pregnant women with Covid monitoring their symptoms at home.

Download the free Pregnancy Handbook for more information about pregnancy and birth.