Delivering a Baby in a Pandemic

The COVID virus has affected many aspects of our lives over the past few years. One topic that I really want to dive in is the impact that separation of mother and baby at birth has on breastfeeding outcomes in the future. It can be frightening to deliver a baby knowing that you have a current COVID infection, especially because there is very little information about the impact that the virus has on newborns. In this article, we dive into consequences of maternal-newborn separation when mom is COVID positive.

Current Hospital Practices

As a nurse, I remember how it was in the maternity department of the hospital when COVID first started. Everyone was afraid and we did not know the impact the virus had on newborns. As a result, mothers who were COVID+ were placed in isolation. The baby was separated and placed in isolation as well. Thankfully, as we knew more about the virus now mothers and babies are starting to room in again!

However, I was researching the effect that separation had on those who were separated or for those who will be for hospitals who have not changed their policy yet. As a mother myself, watching so many mothers being separated from their newborns was just heartbreaking.

The Impact of Separation

Not only were mothers reporting drastically high rates of stress and anxiety (up to even 78%), but breastfeeding rates were impacted severely. A study by Mount Auburn Hospital states that even after discharge, 1/3 of mothers who tried to initiate breastfeed were unable to. This is very disappointing, considering breast milk can protect against many respiratory infections. In fact, several studies even show that there are antibodies in human milk that target the virus.

Impact Moving Forward

What does this mean for new moms? Please stay educated! Although you might have the virus, the benefits of rooming in and breastfeeding drastically outweigh the risk of separation (with certain precautions)

Please make sure to:
– avoid contact if symptomatic
– wash your hands frequently
– consult with your pediatrician for special circumstances

*Disclaimer: this post contains current research but should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your Pediatrician and/or OB for additional information.

Conclusion

Congratulations on your new baby! It is such a blessing, and I am so happy that you are educating yourself on what to expect. Preparation brings a level of confidence that is so important to new parents. Remember that you can always check out our BABY ACADEMY for all of our prenatal resources for new parents. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help!

Free Prenatal Class

Enjoy a free prenatal class from the comfort of your own home! This is a course that I wrote based on a decade of professional and personal experiences regarding everything from childbirth to newborn care. This is a self-paced course that you can watch anytime and anywhere you want! You can sign up HERE. I look forward to connecting with you! – Rachel

Exciting News!!

Did you know that many insurance plans include FREE prenatal and postnatal consultations? See if you qualify by filling out this form: INSURANCE AUTHORIZATION FORM. Consultations can be virtual, in home, or in office with no out of pocket costs.