The Latest Covid-19 Recommendations for New Moms and Babies

An OB-GYN answers questions and explains best practices

Dr Jeff Livingston
Elemental

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After testing positive for Covid-19 earlier in the morning, Manuel Carchipulla cries as he sees his wife Diana Garcia Garcia hold her baby Danaey for the first time via FaceTime, at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside, New York on April 28, 2020. Photo: Newsday LLC/Getty Images

“Will they take my baby away if I have the coronavirus?

New moms ask this question every day in my Texas OB-GYN practice located in the heart of a Covid-19 hot spot. During each office visit, providers and pregnant patients discuss the challenges of the pandemic as it relates to pregnancy, labor and delivery, and newborn care.

No expecting couple ever wrote a birth plan listing “have my baby in the middle of a global pandemic” as a goal. Everyone wants to share the magic of childbirth with the people they love. It is the job of labor and delivery units to adopt policies and procedures that strike a balance between patient safety and celebrating the birthday party.

Hospitals continue to adapt to the challenges of Covid-19 — working to provide care to the acutely ill, prevent spread, and keep health care staff safe while finding ways to preserve the normalcy and beauty of childbirth.

Coronavirus does not stop pregnancy. Pandemic or not, babies are being born — and each new birth represents hope for humanity.

The first 60 minutes of life is known as the “golden hour.” This period immediately after delivery contributes to infant…

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