Except for exceptions contemplated in the regulation, the use of a mask in Spain is mandatory in any situation for all people over six years of age, including pregnant women at the time of giving birth. Refusing to wear it is recklessness that can put everyone’s health at risk, including that of the baby.
Carla Quintana, midwife and founder of ‘Matrona for me’, explains why it is so important that the woman wears a mask in the delivery room despite the fact that the PCR that has been done previously has been negative.
“Wearing a mask in the delivery room is not against the rights of pregnant women, quite the opposite”
The coronavirus crisis has changed our lives and one of the habits that we have had to internalize is the use of masks in our day-to-day life , as it has been shown that well used they can filter a very high percentage of particles, preventing the spread of the virus.
However, there are still those who do not fully understand how masks work and why it is so important that we all wear them to protect ourselves and others, even if at some point they may be uncomfortable or overwhelming.
Not surprisingly, according to a survey carried out by this midwife on her social networks, 60% of people believe that it is not necessary to wear a mask at the time of giving birth if the mother is negative for coronavirus, because they think that by not infecting there is no danger.
“In general, this debate tends to be more evident among women who have not yet given birth, since they think that the mask could negatively affect them and prevent them from breathing or smelling their baby. But the truth is that at the time of delivery, practically all mothers end up admitting that they have not even been aware of wearing the mask “- admits Carla Quintana.
“However, to those who deny its use in the delivery room in favor of the rights of the mother, I always say the same thing: I am a faithful defender of respected childbirth, but the use of the mask at that time does not go against the rights of pregnant women but quite the opposite “
Carla is aware that living a pregnancy in a pandemic is not the wish of any pregnant woman, “but the coronavirus has affected us all, each one of us in our life, so it is extremely important to act with responsibility, common sense and respect . Because only if we all contribute our grain of sand will we be able to stop this situation “ .
Using a mask we protect each other and protect the baby
To understand how masks protect us, we must first understand how the coronavirus spreads. We know that it is through the respiratory route, through the droplets from the nose or mouth that are dispersed when the infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or exhales.
In addition, some studies indicate an increased risk of contagion when shouting or speaking loudly or when blowing; risks that would be minimized with the use of masks by everyone and interpersonal distance (something that is logically not possible in the delivery room, so it is more important if it is possible to protect oneself correctly).
“But if my CRP is negative, why wear a mask?”
The PCR test is, today, the reference and choice technique for the diagnosis of COVID-19, and since it has been shown that many people are asymptomatic carriers of the virus (according to studies, in pregnant women the percentage rises to 15 %), a PCR is performed on all women and their companions at the time of admission to the hospital to give birth.
The reliability of the PCR test reaches 95%, but it is also important to know that it can give failures. That is, offering false negatives if the sampling is inadequate, if there has been an error in the transport or labeling, or if the person is infected but has a low viral load at the time of testing. That is why a negative in the PCR does not exempt the use of a mask and other safety and prevention measures.
When the mother is positive for coronavirus
In the event that the mother was positive for coronavirus , although a few months ago it was recommended to separate her from the baby, now the experts do not advise it and skin-to-skin and breastfeeding are still recommended, since the risk of infection in infants for COVID-19 is low, while the consequences of not breastfeeding and the separation between mother and child can be significant.
In any case, the mother should exercise extreme caution when caring for her baby in order to minimize the risk of infection. To do this, you should wash your hands correctly and frequently and always use a mask, also when you are breastfeeding.
Photos | iStock
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