COVID-19 FAQ’s

You will still receive maternity care. However your care might be slightly different to what you expected. For example, more appointments may be conducted over the phone, if you don’t need to be seen in person, and you might have fewer appointments than usual with alternative appointments with your GP or other care provider.

If you have, or may have, COVID-19, let your Hospital Antenatal Clinic GP or other care provider know as soon as possible so that adequate monitoring of your health can be put in place while you are unwell and isolated. Routine appointments, including scans, should be delayed until after your isolation period. You will be asked to have a follow up Covid 19 test that is Negative before re-engaging with care.

High quality maternity and newborn services continue to be provided. To reduce the chance of you, your baby and the staff looking after you getting COVID-19, hospitals may change the way care is provided including:

• providing care in the community rather than in hospital
• offering care by video or phone
• limiting the number of support people and visitors coming into the hospital (this will help to reduce the chance of spreading the infection).
• promoting hand hygiene, other infection control procedures and social distancing staff may be dressed in personal protective gear while they care for women and families on maternity units.

These procedures are protecting everyone during the pandemic.

Yes. However, if you are booked for an induction of labour or caesarean section, and have suspected or confirmed COVID-19, notify your health care provider immediately to discuss a plan for your care.

Yes, as stipulated in RANZCOG’s guidelines. Caesareans will be prioritised according to clinical need.

Yes. Your careers will not change because of Covid 19 but how you are cared for might need to change depending on yours and your baby’s health. NSW Hospitals are engaged in shared decision making and no decision will be made without your knowledge and input.

This will depend on the facility you are giving birth in and the acuity on the unit on the day. Check with your care provider about staffing availability and one to one care where you are giving birth. All maternity centres in NSW are committed to maintaining their standard of maternity care. As long as a hospital has sufficient staff to offer one to one care in labour, it has a duty to offer a safe service at all times.

The World Health Organisation and the RCOG/RCM advise that you will still be able to have your birth partner with you throughout (including in theatre unless you need a general anaesthetic) but visitors should be kept to a minimum. However if your birth partner has symptoms of COVID-19, they are asked not to attend the unit so you may want to consider having a “back-up” birth partner on standby. NSW maternity units are currently limiting birth support to one person and one visitor postnatally.

There is no evidence that women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cannot have an epidural or a spinal block. This will be discussed with you. Women are not Covid 19 Positive/ not a ‘contact’ and do not have symptoms have access to the full range of analgaesic options.