Maternity Care During the Coronavirus Crisis

By Meida van Baal, Doula and Maternity Nurse

These are trying times we live in. In order to work safely and prevent or control the spread of an infection, I will be working with the following nationwide guidelines.

First of all, what are the symptoms we are looking for?

-Cold symptoms

-Sneezing

-Cough

-Sore throat

-Shortness of breath

-Fever greater than 38 degrees Celsius

If I develop a fever greater than 38 degrees:

-I must stop working and contact the GGD to get tested.

-I must transfer the care to a colleague.

If I develop a cough or have cold symptoms:

-I must wear a mask and gloves during the care.

Someone in your house has a fever greater than 38 degrees:

-I must stop the care and notify your midwife.

Client has a cough or cold symptoms without fever:

-I must wear a mask and gloves during the care.

-Only 3 hours of care per day (8 days) will be given. This is to do the vitals and help with breastfeeding.

-I will make daily telephone calls after the visit to answer questions (8 days).

-4 hours of care will be charged daily for 8 days.

Cough or cold symptoms without fever (other family member):

-Please measure your temperature before I come. Notify me if the temperature is greater than 38 degrees.

-Please stay in a different room as long as I am providing care to the mother and baby.

-I am not allowed to care for other children in the family!

-No visitors are allowed, 24/7, during the week I am providing the care!

If the family is in quarantine or is expected to have the coronavirus:

-I must first call the midwife. The care will be stopped until further notice.

-Before starting the care, I must obtain protective personal equipment (PPE) for 8 days.

-The hallway closest to the entrance will be the designated safe zone or "lock". I will put on and off my gear here.

-Please clear the hallway of all jackets, shoes, etc.

-Mother and baby will be cared for in one room.

-The client must provide a garbage bin and bags in the house.

-The client must provide a garbage bin and bags in the room where the mother and baby are.

-Only direct contact can be made to do the vitals and possibly help with the breastfeeding.

-The parents will care for the baby. I can provide instructions on how to do this.

-The care will only be a maximum of 3 hours.

-Information and instructions can be made via Facetime or Whatsapp.

-4 hours of care will be charged daily for 8 days.

-There will be no care offered to the other members of the family.

-If there are 2 toilets in the house, the postpartum mother must only use one of the toilets.

Necessary care during quarantine/isolation:

-Checking the vitals of mother and baby.

-Instructions and support in breastfeeding, hygiene care and infection control.

-The baby will not be bathed, but can be wiped down on the changing table.

-I can change the bed linens, but the family must wash the linens in 60 degrees.

-Cleaning the bathroom and the kitchen.


Visitors

Unfortunately, no visitors are allowed, 24/7, during the week I am providing the care.


Midwife

Usually the midwife will make 3-4 home visits, but during this crisis, she or he will make only 1 visit, and that is to do the infant heel screening. All other "visits" will be made on the phone.


Consultation Office Nurse

She or he will only visit first time parents to do a home intake.

The hearing test will be postpone until April 6th.


Please follow me on Instagram (@doulameida_hague), or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/miterandco.nl/). I will provide new updates as soon as I get new measures.

Stay safe and healthy!