Maternity support during COVID-19
How does coronavirus affect pregnancy?
According to the NHS, it’s expected that most pregnant women will experience mild or moderate cold or flu-like symptoms.
Pregnant women have been placed in the ‘vulnerable group’ by the Chief Medical Officer. There is no evidence to suggest being pregnant means you’re more likely to get coronavirus. However, for a small number of women, it does mean being pregnant may change the way their body handles severe viral infection.
If you’re pregnant and have an underlying health condition, such as asthma or diabetes, you may be more unwell if you develop the virus. If you have significant heart disease, congenital or acquired, you are considered extremely vulnerable and should follow the government advice and guidance.
Has COVID-19 affected the care I should expect?
With NHS services changing the way they work in response to COVID-19, some people who are currently expecting children have told Healthwatch that they are concerned that about going into hospital during the current outbreak and that there is not enough support for them to give birth at home.
The NHS has written to services reminding them that they need to:
- Be in regular contact with all women receiving antenatal and postnatal care.
- Make clear to women how to access maternity services for scheduled and unscheduled care.
- Encourage them to raise any concerns so that the maternity teams can advise and reassure women of the best and safest place to receive care.
If you are worried you should contact the service who is supporting you to understand the support available and to discuss your concerns.
Tell us about your experience of care
Has your care been disrupted by COVID-19 and its impact on health and social care services? Whether it’s good or bad, we want to hear from you.
It only takes a few minutes and your feedback can help NHS and social care services understand the steps they can take to improve care for you and your loved ones. Click here to share your feedback.
CV-19 hit one the last few weeks of my pregnancy. My antenatal care was ok although I had to attend a different clinic for the midwife, this was ok for me but could be problematic if you don’t drive. I also felt communication could be better from the hospital regarding what was happening regarding my c section and pre op appointments. I was getting mixed information and this was only after I called to see what was happening.
My time in hospital however was brilliant. Despite the changes the staff were amazing. It was difficult not having my husband and family come in post birth but the staff made sure I was ok.
Antenatally I was discharged quickly from the community midwife and haven’t actually seen a health visitor, only spoken on the phone once. I feel the support could be better. I had an infection in my c section scar and called the drs, 1st time I got a telephone appt which was great. 2nd time when it was getting worse the receptionist dismissed me because they did not do dressings. I was told to go to hospital and my concerns about attending because I was shielding we’re again dismissed. The midwife did manage to get me an appt but I feel the receptionist was not medically qualified to dismiss me. I ended up needing antibiotics.
I feel there should be more follow up contact instigated by HCPs to check in on mum and baby.
Hi Paula,
thank you so much for sharing this feedback. From looking at a number of responses to the survey we currently have open, this appears to be a common experience. We are really sorry that you feel let down by health services prior to your delivery but are glad to hear about your positive experience whilst in hospital. After care appears to be an area that needs improving. We will be getting in touch with the provider to let them know this is a common theme and ask them to look at how the service is currently being delivered.
Dont forget, you can share feedback with us on a wide range of services on our website http://www.healthwatchsefton.co.uk feedback can be both positive and negative.
Care has been practically none existent. My baby is 13 weeks old, she has been weighed twice since birth that was in the first week. I have had contact with my health visitor only once since she was born, this is a disgrace as I suffered from poor mental health with my first pregnancy so with lock down I would be at an increased risk of it happening again. I feel let down from the lack of support with the aftercare of this pregnancy.
Hi Gemma
thank you so much for sharing this feedback. From looking at a number of responses to the survey we currently have open, this appears to be a common experience. We are really sorry that you feel let down as there has been a lack of aftercare with your pregnancy. We will be getting in touch with the provider to let them know this is a common theme and ask them to look at how the service is currently being delivered.
Dont forget, you can share feedback with us on a wide range of services on our website http://www.healthwatchsefton.co.uk feedback can be both positive and negative.