Your healthcare team at St. Louis Women’s Healthcare & St. Louis Institute for functional medication is dedicated to providing you with the most up to date information from credible sources such as the CDC and ACOG (American College of Ob-gyn). While we are of course concerned about the repercussions of the COVID-19 virus in both our patient population and our staff we will not be driven by fear. We will continue to see obstetric patients and problem visits/emergencies. We encourage telemedicine visits for consults or problems that do not require a physical exam.
At this time, very little is known about COVID-19 in relation to its effect on pregnant women and infants. We do know that pregnant women are at greater risk of morbidity and mortality from other respiratory infections like the flu.
During pregnancy the immune system is naturally weakened to allow pregnancy to continue. As a result, pregnant women should be considered as an “at-risk” population for COVID-19. Children do not appear to be at a more increased risk than adults and the symptoms do not differ from adults although their course appears to be milder when infected.
It is unclear whether COVID-19 can cross through the placenta to the fetus. So far, in the pregnant women who have tested positive none of their infants have tested positive. There have been newborns that have tested positive in England and China but it is unclear if the infection was contracted shortly after birth or before delivery. The infants are reportedly doing well. In China there have been some babies born prematurely but again this is unclear whether this can be attributed to the virus itself. At this time the virus has not been isolated from amniotic fluid or breast milk.
80% of the cases of COVID-19 will be mild to moderate
14% will be severe
6% will be critical
As we learn more and more cases of babies being born to positive women recommendations will become more clear. For now, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists has not said that babies need to be separated from their mothers but suggest that such measures at least “temporarily” should be considered to reduce the chances of spreading the virus to their babies. The decision whether or not to breast feed should be made in coordination with patient, her family and her healthcare providers. If breast feeding is chosen diligent hand washing should be practiced. Face mask protection should be considered while feeding.
Please continue to follow the recommended precautions of hand washing, avoiding contact with sick individuals. If you experience a fever (above 100.4 F), cough or respiratory issues please call us and we can direct you to the most updated testing centers. Currently, testing is limited to individuals meeting the CDC criteria.
Please continue to use common sense when it comes to protecting yourself, your families and your unborn babies. Be safe!
Your St. Louis Women’s Healthcare Team