Should I continue to have parental visits? I'm worried about being exposed to COVID-19

If you have an appointment with your doctor, should you still plan for it?

At this point, the hospitals are open and caring for patients. The hospital has implemented a high level of screening measures for parental visiting. A team of people is appointed to increase the frequency of cleaning and enhanced cleaning procedures in clinics, patient rooms, operating rooms, waiting rooms etc., 24/7. For your safety, we request you visit the doctor with only one parent or guardian and the patient. No siblings should accompany along with the patient.

One of the best ways to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and be safe is to limit the number of hospital patients and visitors, especially women with newborns or who come for toddler checkups. For general illnesses, in-person visits can now be changed to telephonic or video calling for mother and child.

If you or your child has any chronic diseases and you/your doctor cannot figure it out correctly via telephonic conversation. The doctor has to see you in person; then you should visit the hospital without delaying further. If you have a normal cold, or cough or if it is for a follow-up consultation, then it is better to avoid moving out of your place and be safe. These can be discussed with your doctor via video call or teleconsulting.

If any surgery is scheduled, the hospital will reschedule elective surgeries unless it is an emergency or it may affect the patient's ongoing health. You need not worry about COVID-19 when you come outdoors with your baby, as the virus does not spread in the air. But you must be very careful, ensure you are well covered, and maintain social distancing.

For couples who want to get conceived-

At this time, there is no data available regarding holding off on trying to get pregnant as our data is very little. We don't think the virus causes congenital disabilities or increases the risk of miscarriage . We are unsure whether you could transmit COVID-19 to the baby before or during the delivery. No data is available if the virus lives in semen or can be sexually transmitted.

Will I be separated from my baby after delivery?

If you don't have COVID-19 and are not exposed to the virus, your baby is not separated. If you have COVID -19 or have been exposed and have no symptoms, you will be separated from your baby to decrease the risk of transmission to the newborn. This distancing will be maintained until you are confirmed that you are no longer at risk of transmitting the virus. This situation is heartbreaking; therefore, discuss it with your doctor, pediatrician, and family members and plan the baby's care if you need to be separated after delivery.