Pregnant women may not be accompanied during labor and delivery in the Valencian Community. This is established by the new ‘Communication Protocol for pregnant women at the time of delivery’, dated April 4.
The Ministry of Health justifies this measure by stating that “accompanying the pregnant woman to childbirth can pose a risk of contagion for the mother, newborn, partner or own staff who carry out their work .”
Midwives do not agree and the WHO even recommends that the woman be accompanied during childbirth , also in times of COVID-19.
A single companion, who will wait in the room
The Valencian Government has updated the guidelines on how to deal with the births of babies in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the document, issued by the General Directorate of investigation and High Sanitary Inspection, of the Ministry of Health, “the current situation of state of alarm derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, requires the taking of exceptional measures.”
Among them, related to childbirth, “interrupting the accompaniment of the pregnant woman in dilation and delivery” , in addition to allowing “a single companion during the stay” . And this second premise, only if the following conditions are met:
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That the accompaniment will be carried out by the same person throughout the stay.
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This person has no symptoms or has tested positive for coronavirus in the past 14 days.
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You will not be able to leave the room during the stay.
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You should follow the instructions on hand hygiene.
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You have to be able to guarantee the availability of a PPE for this person when the pregnant woman has symptoms compatible with COVID.
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Have medical personnel approve your ability to comply with isolation measures.
The same protocol will also be followed with the pregnant woman as with the rest of the patients admitted while the coronavirus crisis lasts:
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The woman will designate a family spokesperson and communicate her mobile phone number so that the healthcare team can establish contact with that person at any time.
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During the dilation period, the woman may have a Smart device available to communicate with the chosen person as long as the surrounding conditions allow sufficient privacy from the rest of the patients.
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If possible, you can have a live video connection active with the Family Spokesperson Smart device.
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Always, after the expulsion phase, it will connect to send you images of the newborn.
The mother will be able to receive visits, already with the baby, during the stay in the plant , but only from a single person who must be the same all the time, so different family members cannot alternate.
In her daily press conference, according to La Vanguardia, the Minister of Health, Ana Barceló, has specified that “the protocol allows the designated companion to stay in the room during the entire hospital stay until they are discharged and that He just won’t be able to be with her in the dilation room and during delivery. “
The objective is to avoid “a situation of risk of contagion for the mother, for the newborn, for the couple or for the personnel who carry out their care work”.
Midwives denounce the measure
The team of midwives of the department of the Marina Alta has sent a public letter in which our “profound disagreement” with the measure of the Ministry of Health that prohibits the entry into childbirth to parents or other relatives chosen by the woman to accompany her in this process.
They underline the fact that women in labor do not have this support causes a lot of stress in women who are about to give birth and who seek hospitals where accompaniment is allowed, something more complicated currently due to movement restrictions.
They also stressed that midwives in that midwives as professionals, “we must be guarantors of the defense of women’s rights, without forgetting parents or couples .”
Also the Association of Midwives of the Valencian Community has issued a statement showing its “disagreement” . They denounce that it is a “non-endorsed document that goes against all scientific evidence available to date.”
They point out that the Ministry of Health “should base its protocols on statements supported by science” , not out of fear or ignorance.
Midwives recall “the consequences, in the short and long term, that non-accompaniment can have on women, leaving them alone at a unique and crucial moment for their lives and those of their children .” Thus, they have denounced this protocol before the competent body because it violates the rights of pregnant women and newborns.
In addition, the Spanish Association of Midwives has sent a letter to the Valencian Health Minister to revoke the order that contradicts the Document of the Ministry of Health regarding the new measures adopted throughout Spain by the coronavirus, regarding pregnancy and newborn, prepared based on scientific evidence.
For the association, the new protocol is “absolutely unacceptable” .
WHO recommends accompaniment, also now
The World Health Organization (WHO) makes it clear in its recommendations during the COVID-19 crisis:
“All pregnant women, including those with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infections, have the right to high-quality care before, during and after delivery. This includes prenatal, neonatal, postnatal, intrapartum and mental health care.”
And as she adds below, that safe and positive birth experience includes:
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Be treated with respect and dignity
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Have a partner of your own choosing present during labor
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Clear communication from maternity staff
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Appropriate strategies for pain relief
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Mobility in labor when possible , and position of choice in labor.
Via | Lift-EMV
Photos | iStock
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