NEWS
Caring for moms-to-be during COVID-19
Clinic gives isolating pregnant women access to prenatal care regnant women who are self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms can receive the obstetrical services they need at a Prenatal and Postnatal Clinic recently opened by the Lois Hole Hospital for Women at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The clinic opened March 30 and has seen 10 patients so far, but has the capacity and resources to see up to 500 patients weekly, should the need arise. “There was an interest from physicians and staff for a space like this and we had full support to go ahead,” says Tracee Pratt, Executive Director of Women’s Health at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women. “There are a lot of fears with pregnancy, especially during COVID-19
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and we knew we needed a safe space where staff and patients felt protected while we linked them to the resources they need.” The referral-based clinic – which sees women who are 24 weeks or greater gestation, or six weeks postpartum – is a collaboration between obstetricians, obstetric medicine, maternal fetal medicine, family practitioners, registered midwives, nurse practitioners and the public health antenatal home care program. Joni Warnock was 39 weeks pregnant when she visited the clinic after returning from a trip with a dry cough. She spoke to The Edmonton Journal about her experience, explaining that she was referred to the clinic by her doctor, who was unable to see her due
to COVID-19 restrictions. When she arrived for her appointment, she was asked to sanitize her hands and wear a mask. Healthcare workers all wore personal protective equipment while giving Warnock’s maternal exam. “They were fantastic. If they were nervous about me being potentially COVID-19 positive, I didn’t get that feeling,” Warnock says. She tested negative for the virus. Patients can be seen at the clinic for the duration of their isolation and will be able to return to their regular provider afterwards. “We want to reassure people that we are here to help,” says Pratt. “Although we are in a pandemic, we can still make sure obstetrical needs are H being met. ■
Adapting practices to protect expecting parents, newborns cross Canada and around the globe, physicians and health care professionals are rapidly adapting practices as they look to find effective ways to deliver care while minimizing the risk of contracting COVID-19 for patients and health care providers. To help keep regular pre- and post-natal care and routine well-child visits on track, Dr. Tali Bogler came up with an alternative to the typical schedule to keep these patients safe during the pandemic. “Pregnant women, newborns, and children due for vaccinations still require care during the pandemic. Given the need to reduce the number of visits…the timing and frequency of visits can be adjusted,” the physician in St. Michael’s Family Health Team (FHT) and Chair of Family Practice Obstetrics says in a new paper published by Canadian Family Physician.
Photo credit: Unity Health Toronto
By Emily Dawson
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Dr. Tali Bogler. “The first thing we did was provide protected time for more vulnerable patients,” Dr. Bogler says. “We have reserved the 9-11 a.m. window every day to have appointments with the
elderly, immunocompromised, expecting moms and newborns.” While much of the conversation on how best to safeguard vulnerable populations speaks to care for the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, Dr. Bogler says pregnant and newborn patients should not be overlooked. “My pregnant patients often feel vulnerable at the best of times, particularly first-time parents,” she says. “Now they worry about what the pandemic means for their health, their pregnancy and their baby. They’re asking questions like, ‘Should I be coming in for my prenatal ultrasound?’ or, ‘What happens if I get COVID-19 and how will it impact my baby?’” The FHT has also transitioned to virtual care appointments whenever possible, including phone and video calls, and has implemented new ways to communicate with their patients. “Patients are relieved to know that they don’t necessarily have to come in and that we can manage their care in a
safe way, and we can also answer their immediate questions,” she says. In cases where a visit can’t be done virtually – certain prenatal visits, those requiring a vaccination and the like – they are bundling visits to reduce trips into the clinic and hospital. They’re also finding a way to create a virtual community for their patients. Prenatal classes, which usually allow new parents to come together, share resources and form a community, have been cancelled for the time being – in person. “Along with a couple of other St. Michael’s physicians and incoming residents in obstetrics and gynecology, we’re starting a virtual platform through Instagram to have these conversations,” says Dr. Bogler. “It’s like a prenatal class but with a focus on COVID-19, where parents can ask questions and connect with others who might be delivering at the same time. At a time when we’re not able to physically meet with people, it’s our H way of bringing them together.” ■
Emily Dawson is a senior communications adviser at Unity Health Toronto. 36 HOSPITAL NEWS MAY 2020
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