Woman with Covid safely gives birth to baby

Doctors at the Friendship Hospital in Vientiane have safely delivered a baby born to a woman who had contracted Covid-19.
Because the woman has the virus she now has to remain apart from her family following delivery, as she must self-isolate for 14 days.
A medical worker at the hospital who asked not to be named said the delivery was carried out in accordance with guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation regarding pregnant women and new mothers with Covid.

The guidelines recommend ways to protect mothers and their babies if the mother is carrying the virus. The medical worker said that although there is no evidence that pregnant women are more susceptible to Covid-19, it is crucial that safe childbirth services are accessible to all women and that antenatal and postnatal care are maintained according to national guidelines and standards.
This is especially true in epicentres of the virus outbreak, where access to services for pregnant women, women in labour and delivery, and lactating women is negatively impacted, she added.
The Ministry of Health says the number of children and pregnant woman contracting Covid-19 is increasing and more are undergoing treatment across the country.
Some pregnant women in a provincial hospital and in Vientiane are in a critical condition, the ministry added.
Treatment methods are being adapted to suit changing situations, including treating patients with mild symptoms at field hospitals and transferring those with worsening symptoms to major hospitals.
The Ministry of Health is preparing personnel for the eventuality of further outbreaks of Covid-19 and reorganising virus test centres and field hospitals to ensure maximum efficiency.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
  (Latest Update October 5, 2021)