Mother’s Day: Birthing a baby in times of corona
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BHUBANESWAR: Lopamudra, 35, was on cloud nine and counting the days to get the first glimpse of her child. It was a precious moment for her as she is having her first child after 12 years of marriage. But she had never expected that outbreak of coronavirus will cast a shadow over her joy and happiness of becoming a mother.
“I cannot describe the fear and stress I experienced before giving birth to my child. I waited so many years for this moment. I did not find any solution to my fear except praying God and left everything on Him. I am thankful to the doctors and everyone in the hospital for putting my little angel on my lap. She is healthy and fine,” said Lopamudra. She gave birth to her child Jithisha on April 1 at Sum Hospital here.
Being a mother is the most unique and precious moment of a woman’s life. But giving birth at the time of Covid-19 is indeed a challenging thing for moms. Starting from visiting gynaecologist to entering the labour room and post birth care to vaccination of the new-borns, mothers are spending their happy moments amidst worry and anxiety due to the fear of the spread of coronavirus.
Subhalaxmi Bhoi, a 22 year-old from Jatni delivered a baby girl on Friday at Capital Hospital said, it required lots of courage and grit to give birth during lockdown and spread of coronavirus. “My family was in a dilemma if it would be safe to go to hospital for childbirth due to the fear of the spread of corona disease. But I insisted to come to hospital because here we have professionals to handle in case there is any emergency. Moreover they will take better care of the patient and child,” she said smiling. She said she thought to name her baby as Deepti.
At Capital Hospital 714 women gave birth in March and 693 women gave birth in April. The number of babies born in the month of January and February were 913 and 771 respectively. Health professionals said a large number of people are coming to government hospitals during the Covid-19 outbreak may be because several nursing homes and private hospitals are returning patients.
“Giving birth to a child is same during the coronavirus outbreak as it was earlier. Of course we are taking extra care like maintaining social distancing, wearing masks limiting the number of examinations so that the mother will get less exposure,” said gynaecologist Sushree Samiksha at Capital Hospital.
She said, “Travel history of all pregnant women coming to the hospital are being recorded. Also, if anyone from their family had a visit outside in last two months are being traced. Covid-19 test is being conducted of those with symptoms and are kept in isolation ward.”
Senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecologist at KIMS Hospital, Dr Narahari Agasti said it is important that the expecting parents must remain calm and undisturbed. “We are getting calls from worried parents and trying to counsel and convince them not to worry regarding Covid-19 infection. Due to stress there are chances of complications during delivery. Sometimes blood pressure of patients increases. Pregnant women should focus on mental and physical health, practice yoga, meditation, nutritious food and remain hydrated is required,” Agasti pointed out.
Doctors suggested a few practices to follow by expected mothers, like washing hands frequently, minimum meet and greet for the baby with other family members, maintaining personal hygiene and keeping the house clean.