Expectant mothers worried about giving birth during coronavirus pandemic

A couple in Zelionople is expecting baby number two at the end of May.

They are having a boy this time, and they are excited. However, they can’t help but worry about everything going on with the coronavirus right now.

“I think that’s the biggest thing, the uncertainly with question marks around everything,” Alyssa Archer said.

Archer said being pregnant already has its challenges.

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“With this added on to it, it is something to be concerned about obviously, because there are people getting sick and I never want anything happening to any of my kids,” Archer said.

Two-year-old Mila is excited to be a big sister. When she was born, Archer’s mom and husband were in the delivery room.

But now, only one visitor is allowed in.

“Obviously it’s really important to have my husband to be there cause it is a lot to go through and I don’t want to do that by myself,” Archer said.

Also at this time, grandparents are discouraged to meet newborns up close.

“I know it’s going to be heartbreaking cause obviously as grandparents you just want to snuggle on your grandkids.",” Archer said.

Archer and many other mothers had questions and concerns we shared with an Allegheny Health Network doctor.

If an expectant mother goes into labor after hours, which happens often, they are being told that it is OK to go to the emergency room.

"We now have testing tents outside all of our emergency rooms anyone with respiratory symptoms is treated at our tents,” said Dr. Marcia Klein-Patel, the chair of the AHN Women’s Institute.

If an expectant mother has COVID-19 symptoms, she is taken to a specialty room for delivery and recovery. Then the baby will be in nursery isolation until they are cleared to go home. At that point, doctors would recommend an unaffected caregiver.

“That might involve using another family member to help care for the child, but if not, it includes mom wearing a mask while taking care of that child and washing her hands,” Klein-Patel said.

At this time, AHN has not had a COVID-19 maternity case.

She says OB/GYN units are fully staffed and have protocols in place to keep staff and patients safe.

Right now, doctors are doing virtual checkups with their patients, but still doing ultrasounds and blood work in person.

To be on the safe side, doctors urge expectant mothers to stay home as much as possible at this time.

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