NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Pregnant moms across the country are concerned about the new coronavirus.
According to media outlets in London, a mom with COVID-19 gave birth and her baby now has the new coronavirus. It’s possible the baby got it after, or during birth, according to doctors.
As of now, medical professionals believe babies get COVID-19 just like everyone else, but there’s not a lot of studies surrounding it.
"We think that transmission is similar to how it is transmitted to adults via droplets, and so the same care needs to be taken while handling your infant as it would with another adult," Dr. Jennifer Thompson said,
Dr. Thompson is a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She said this does not appear to be a Zika viral endemic situation like 5 years ago.
“Up to this point, we don't think that COVID-19 increases the risk of miscarriage, causes birth defects, or is specifically related to pre-term delivery. Obviously, we need to keep a close eye on these pregnancies, and monitor folks,” Thompson said.
Lauren Drees started Haven Birth and Wellness midwife practice where she visits pregnant women in their homes. It’s important now as families self-isolate.
Trying to keep stress levels down as much as possible, there’s only so much in life we have control over," Drees said. "And so, trying to keep that perspective and do the best we can, and keeping ourselves healthy.”
If you are pregnant and come down with COVID-19, doctors and midwives in the mid-state are prepared to help you recover as soon as possible.
“With any mom that has symptoms," Drees said. "We’re encouraging her to reach out to her providers directly by phone and not show up.”
