Going through pregnancy amid COVID-19
Nana Ama Frimpong was 12 weeks pregnant when the first two cases of COVID-19 were recorded in March last year.
She had already seen her Obstetrician Gynecologist (OB) for assessment and medications and had been advised to start monthly antenatal care.
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She recounts that the news of the pandemic sent chills through her spine as she was preparing for antenatal in one of the biggest public health facilities in Accra.
This was not her first pregnancy and so she appreciated the importance of antenatal services and the number of times she had to visit the health facility.
“I think I was having dinner with my husband when I saw the news on television. Honestly, I didn’t even want to eat again. The following morning, I reached out to my OB and although he gave me some assurances of adhering to strict protocols at the hospital, I wasn’t fully convinced,” she told The Mirror in an interview in Accra.
Telehealth
The importance of antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) cannot be underestimated in the well-being of a mother and child during and after pregnancy.
However, like most services provided at health facilities, the outbreak of COVID-19 affected patronage of ANC and PNC.
Mrs Frimpong said that when the number of COVID-19 cases started increasing in Accra, the facility she visited reduced the number of visits and advised expectant mothers to patronise their new telehealth platforms and report to the hospital only in emergency cases or when they were called in.
Some mothers waiting to be attended to at the postnatal care area
Telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access healthcare services remotely and manage health care.
In this case, the hospital created WhatsApp platforms for expectant mothers where information on what to expect was shared.
“We could also send messages or call the doctors and midwives for assistance if we needed help. Although I wasn’t too sure in the beginning that this new routine would work, the health workers were committed and always replied to my messages so I adapted,” she added.
‘Danger’ in health centres
Another expectant mother, Ms Awo Nuamah, said aside from the fear of contracting the disease in the hospital where she visited for antenatal care, she was also not comfortable visiting facilities which offered laboratory and ultrasound services.
“Pregnancy requires running different lab tests and scans to help doctors see how the baby is developing and what kind of guidance to give you. Anytime I visit any of such centres, despite the protocols observed there, I feel very uncomfortable but had no option but to be there,” she said.
A nurse checking the vitals of an expectant mother
She added that another difficulty was keeping her nose mask on throughout the day especially when she had to be in public for long hours.
Situation at Korle Bu
Last Wednesday, when The Mirror visited the Maternity Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, some expectant mothers expressed similar fears, especially being at the nation’s premier referral facilities.
Dr Titus Beyuo, a Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist at the hospital confirmed that the number of pregnant women who visited the Maternity Department of the hospital for antenatal services reduced after the hospital started recording COVID-19 cases.
He said although the hospital had put in place interventions to control the spread of the disease, many expectant mothers were initially scared to visit the facility.
An expectant mother washing her hands at the entrance of the OPD
According to him, the department divided the expectant mothers into groups and notified them on when to visit the facility.
Also most of the chairs at the Out Patient Department (OPD) had been moved to an open space outside to reduce the number of patients at a time.
“If you visit our OPD, which is the busiest part of the department, you would realise the chairs are well spaced for social distance purposes. In the wards, we have also reduced the number of people who can visit a patient on admission,” he said.
Dr Beyuo assured expectant mothers that their safety was paramount as the facility had still not relaxed on implementing the COVID-19 protocols and advised them to attend antenatal care when they were due.
“COVID-19 is still here and we understand the fears of these expectant mothers and their families. Staying at home throughout your pregnancy without any guidance from a health expert poses a risk to both mother and an unborn baby. Visit a health facility but make sure you follow all the protocols and directions from health workers,” he advised.
