COVID-19 has unprecedentedly affected millions of lives worldwide. It had ceased the normalcy of everyday activities and the frequency of seeking healthcare for those with existing conditions.
Maternal health has been greatly affected by COVID-19. Infected mothers worry about their health and their baby's health. Mothers worry about not having support during labor and birth in hospital settings. Many question what the adverse effects could be on the baby if the mother was infected. If only we could alleviate these worries with facts, but until then, we encourage all to make a plan and use cautionary steps in preventing contracting COVID-19.
Here are few excerpts from global articles:
Maternal and newborn health and COVID-19
"The full extent of COVID19’s impact on economies, societies and health is still unknown and unfolding every day. Yet, if life-saving interventions are disrupted, many more mothers and newborns could die from treatable and preventable conditions."
Source: https://data.unicef.org/topic/maternal-health/covid-19/
Navigating pregnancy during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
"The best thing you can do is to take all necessary precautions to prevent yourself from contracting the COVID-19 virus. However, if you’re pregnant or have just given birth and feel ill, then you should seek medical care promptly and follow instructions from your health care provider." -Franka Cadée, President of the International Confederation of Midwives.
Source: https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/navigating-pregnancy-during-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-pandemic
3 ways Covid-19 could widen the maternal health gap
1. Exacerbated social determinants of health across marginalized communities.
"A sudden loss of income can lead to housing instability and food insecurity. These social needs are both risk factors for increased incidences of pregnancy-related mortality and morbidities, including gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hemorrhaging."
2. Reduced use of, and access to, pre- and post-natal care
"Some may consider skipping appointments, worsening existing disparities in pre- and post-natal care utilization. Even before Covid-19, only 75% of Black pregnant patients and 79% of Hispanic pregnant patients initiated care during the first trimester, compared with approximately 89% of white pregnant patients"
"Telehealth is less feasible for patients in rural areas, tribal lands, and low-income communities with limited access to internet...providers may struggle to track higher-risk pregnancies as prenatal checkups become virtual"
3. Limited access to support systems
"Social distancing requirements can also limit pregnant patients' access to their social support networks, networks that play a significant protective role against post-partum depression"
Source: https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2020/07/01/maternal-health-gap