The COVID-19 pandemic has had an affect on literally all aspects of human life. Life in the post COVID-19 world has transformed for gynecologists as well. The whole process of delivering a child in a labour room has been re-invented.
The Voices talks to gynecologists from across the country to share their experiences of successfully delivering thousands of healthy babies of women affected by COVID-19.
“Though in the beginning, we were a little apprehensive about Covid pregnancy cases, with experience, we realised that from an obstetrician point of view, there is not much of a difference; unless in severely affected cases. The only difference for a doctor would be the PPE kits and isolated operation theatres,” says Dr Shayla Srivastava, 25, a gynaecologist at BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai, which has successfully delivered 1100 babies. This includes a set of triplets, twin babies, and single babies.
Sharing her experience of the first Covid patient’s delivery in April, Shayla explains, “I wasn’t much scared of the virus affecting me but was more worried about the success of the operation. I was the only doctor available when we received the first Covid case. We immediately had to make arrangements for an operation. Having less staff made the procedure tiresome, as we had just shifted the infrastructure to an isolated room. It became a little tough for me to find instruments immediately. Besides, I was soaked inside a PPE kit for hours together on a summer day in April. I was so thirsty by the end of it all that I can never forget that feeling.”
Complications of a COVID-19 delivery
Several hospitals started to reject admitting COVID-19 pregnancy cases. That started burdening the government hospitals in several cities. Besides, examining these patients took a bit longer, as the complication in these cases due to COVID-19 was still a mystery for the doctors.
“If there were any complications, it became very tough to diagnose whether it is because of COVID-19 or some other bodily factor. If the Covid pathology affects the patient during the initial months, it is not very risky. But, during labour time, it might lead to complications. Also, in the post-natal stage, the mother has to be very careful while lactating. She has to wear a mask while lactating, keep her hands clean and keep the baby at a distance after lactation,” shares Dr Rajeshwari, HoD gynaecology, Niloufer Hospitals, Hyderabad, who has delivered 120 healthy babies along with her team in the last month.
Adding to her statement, Dr Rajeshwari said there are only a negligible number of COVID positive children being born, and the babies are usually healthy. However, are these babies born with antibodies, is a question that troubles the doctors.
Keeping the patient in positive spirits
Beyond the virus, it is the stress and fear of COVID-19 among the public that concerns the doctors as these fears may affect the morale of the patient.
“We usually do counsel the family and the patient before operating, but in these COVID times, we have withdrawn the regular ‘doctor terms’ and approach the patient as a family member counselling them. We have to be extra careful with the choice of words or our mannerisms as a patient observes every detail. Hence, I have suggested my team for carrying a persona that makes the patient believe that this doctor can do anything to keep their spirits up,” says Doctor Ganesh Shinde, 62, HoD, Gynecology department BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai.
Apart from the fear of the mother and child, several families fear if they can meet the newborn child and mother after delivery. “However, we do not allow any relatives visiting, but we have facilities where the family members can talk to the mother and see the baby through video calls so that family sentiments are not hurt,” Dr Ganesh adds.
Closing on a positive note, Dr. Shayla says, “Beyond everything, for a doctor, it is the most beautiful feeling to see both the mother and the child be healthy and leave the hospital with all smiles after a tough battle.”
Edited by: Mohammed Sajid
2 Comments
Beautiful Story. Many congratulations to the writer.
Amazing read. Heart touching one. Need more such positivity in the times of gloom. Kudos to the warriors and kudos to the writer too!