COLUMBUS – The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional fears about risks for moms-to-be and their babies.
A new national survey by the The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found nearly 80 percent of the 2,000 respondents would be concerned about themselves or an expectant mother in their life in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak with almost half expressing fear of going to a scheduled prenatal appointment.
The researchers say it is important to manage these fears and ensure proper care.
Medical offices are taking many extra steps for the safety of their patients and staff, such as wearing masks, face shields and gloves and wiping down surfaces between patients.
“We’ve also taken a close look at limiting appointments and determining the minimum number of visits and tests that women need in pregnancy to ensure they and their baby are healthy and well cared for,” said Dr. Jonathan Schaffir, OB/GYN at hospital. “So it’s important for women to know that when we say you need to come in to the office or the hospital, that really is the case.”
Schaffir and many other OB/GYNs offer telehealth appointments for visits that don’t require any testing or procedures, an area of medicine that is expected to expand even after the threat of COVID-19 subsides.
The fear does not subside after the baby is born.
About half of the survey respondents – 51 percent – says they would be concerned about sending their child to daycare or a babysitter and over 45 percent would be concerned about visiting public places while pregnant and after their baby is born.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say COVID-19 is not transmitted through the bloodstream so unborn babies can’t be infected through the placenta.