Pregnant during lockdown: can you still visit your midwife?
Being pregnant can be challenging enough as it is without the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic to contend with! You probably have lots of questions about whether you can visit your midwife or who can come with you to hospital while you’re pregnant during lockdown. Here’s the Ministry of Health’s latest information on pregnancy care in lockdown.
Remember, research shows pregnant women appear no more susceptible to the consequences of COVID-19 infection than the general population.
Can I till visit my midwife?
The answer is yes, but your community-based midwife will move to doing as much of the visit as possible over the phone or via video calling. Your midwife may decrease the number of face-to-face visits and will discuss with you the best place to have these.
Face-to face check-ups
Before any face-to-face check-ups, your midwife will check that you're well. If you’re not well, the visit may be postponed or take place by phone or video call instead. Your midwife will ask you to attend check-ups alone, so that means no partners, family members or children can come along, and you’ll be required to observe strict hygiene measures, including physical distancing. The physical assessments such as blood pressure and checking your baby’s growth and heart rate will still occur but will be done as quickly as possible.
If you’re self-isolating
If you’re self-isolating due to potential exposure to COVID-19 because of recent travel or close contact, please tell your midwife or midwifery practice. If you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant, your midwife (or GP/obstetrician LMC) may reschedule routine antenatal visits for once your 14-day self-isolation period ends, but only if your midwife assesses that your maternity care can safely be deferred.
If you do need a visit, you’ll be provided with a surgical face mask while your midwife is visiting you, and your midwife may also wear some personal protective equipment (like a mask).
If you’re more than 37 weeks pregnant you’ll receive antenatal visits according to the usual schedule. You’ll be provided with a surgical face mask to wear while your midwife visits you, and again, your midwife may also wear some personal protective equipment (like a mask).
Your midwife will talk with you about your local options for labour and birth and your immediate postnatal care, in case you give birth during your 14-day self-isolation period.
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 during your self-isolation period, you’ll be treated as positive for COVID-19 until you receive a negative test result.
If you develop symptoms, call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and follow their advice. Healthline is your first point of contact, but you should also let your midwife know if you become unwell.
If you’re diagnosed with COVID-19
If you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19, it’s vital that you inform your midwife or midwifery practice.
If you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant your midwife may reschedule routine antenatal visits until you’ve been cleared. This will only occur if your midwife assesses that your maternity care can safely be deferred. If you do need a visit, you’ll be provided with a surgical face mask to wear while your midwife visits you. Your midwife will wear full personal protection equipment (gloves, surgical mask, disposable apron and eye protection) during the visit.
If you’re more than 37 weeks pregnant, you’ll receive antenatal visits according to the usual schedule. You’ll be provided with a surgical face mask to wear while your midwife visits you. Your midwife will wear full personal protection equipment (gloves, surgical mask, disposable apron and eye protection) during the visit.
Your midwife will talk with you about your local options for labour and birth and your immediate postnatal care, in case you give birth before being cleared.