Proper Care for Pregnant Women with COVID-19
There has been much fear and anxiety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and this anxiety can be particularly heightened for pregnant women. There typically is concern not only for the pregnant woman’s health, but also for the health of the unborn child. There are also concerns for the healthcare team involved in prenatal care, labor and delivery, and post-delivery care. Various entities have published much guidance on the subject, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and other health advocacy and research groups.
If you need an advocate for your treatment for COVID-19 while pregnant, or if you believe you received substandard treatment, you should speak with the legal team at The Eisen Law Firm right away.
Guidelines for Treatment
Pregnant women should receive proper care for both COVID-19 symptoms and for their maternal health and fetus. No medical facility should deny a pregnant woman the treatment she needs. Some guidelines that healthcare facilities must follow include:
- Prioritize COVID-19 testing for pregnant women who show symptoms during hospital admission
- Ensure all infection control practices are consistent for pregnant women and on obstetric wards with the general CDC infection control guidelines
- Hospitalization of pregnant women with COVID-19 should be in a facility with the ability to conduct all necessary maternal and fetal monitoring
- COVID-19 management plans should take into account gestational age, delivery plans, and contraction monitoring
- Treatment should be designed by a multispecialty team, including specialists in maternal-fetal medicine, obstetrics, pulmonary care, critical care, infectious disease, and pediatrics, as necessary
- Medical facilities should never withhold treatment for COVID-19 due to theoretical concerns regarding pregnancy and therapeutic agents
- Decisions about medication that is investigational for COVID-19 treatment should be made together with the clinical team and the patient, with consideration of both fetal and maternal health
- All facilities providing obstetric care must have fully-trained personnel regarding infection control requirements
- Visitors to pregnant women with COVID-19 should be limited to those who are essential to support the woman’s well-being (often only one visitor throughout hospitalization)
Pregnant women are more likely to develop life-threatening respiratory symptoms and need ventilator treatment than non-pregnant women, and this is especially true for women who have underlying medical conditions like diabetes. This means that hospitals should all be prepared to provide treatment to seriously ill pregnant women in accordance with all relevant guidelines.
Pregnant women with serious symptoms from COVID-19 have a higher risk of premature birth, delivery by cesarean section, and the need for neonatal care for the newborn. This means that medical facilities providing COVID-19 treatment must also be prepared to address high-risk labor and delivery situations.
Let Our Ohio Birth Injury Attorneys Help You
Contracting COVID-19 while pregnant can be terrifying, and you deserve proper treatment to preserve your health and that of your unborn child. Always discuss how to continue prenatal care if you are at home with COVID-19, and do not hesitate to head to the emergency room if your symptoms are worsening, as the risks are high.
The Eisen Law Firm supports pregnant women, new parents, and their children in medical malpractice and birth injury cases. Call 216-687-0900 or contact us online with any concerns.