Information about our practice and Corona Virus

VKPH, published March 13 2020, latest update March 1 2022

Voor informatie in het Nederlands, klik HIER.

Pregnant women and Corona

The coronavirus is the talk of the day, especially if you are pregnant or if you have a baby. As far as is known, pregnant women do not appear to have an increased risk of being infected with coronavirus: they do not appear to be more susceptible to the virus than individuals who are not pregnant. Pregnant women do have an increased risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. Therefore, it is recommended that they be vaccinated with an m-RNA vaccine and it is important to follow applicable measures carefully.

Based on the available data, there is no evidence to suggest that SARS-CoV-2 increases the risk of miscarriage or congenital abnormality. However, some risk factors have emerged recently that increase the likelihood of a more severe course of COVID-19 disease in pregnant women. This is especially true for pregnant women who belong to high-risk groups. Transmission of the virus from mother to child occurs, but scientific knowledge about how often and when this occurs in pregnancy is limited. Find further information about pregnancy and COVID-19 here.

Any symptoms during pregnancy?

Are you pregnant and not feeling well? Then keep a close eye on your symptoms. The symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, can be diverse. Some people seem to barely notice it, this also applies to pregnant women, others become seriously ill.  Do you have mild symptoms such as:

• Cold symptoms (such as rhinitis, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat)
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Sudden loss of smell and/or taste (without nasal congestion)

Stay home and get tested. This will ensure that you cannot infect others. Always keep 1.5 meters (two arm lengths) away from other people.  You may go back outside if the test result is negative (no COVID-19).

Symptoms and/or high fever?

Are you pregnant and do you have symptoms due to COVID-19 and/or high fever? Then contact your family doctor or midwife immediately. For example, a high fever can induce contractions. If you have any doubts or questions, it is also best to call your family doctor or midwife. 

Vaccination against Corona around pregnancy and maternity period

The Dutch Society for Obstetrics & Gynaecology (NVOG) and the Royal Dutch Organisation for Obstetricians (KNOV) advise healthy pregnant women to get vaccinated.

On this website you will find information that can help you to make a decision about vaccination against corona. Many pregnant women still find this a difficult decision, so it may help to discuss your concerns openly with us at the consultation. For more information, visit the RIVM website.

Click here for an information pamphlet about choice in Covid vaccination in English

Click here for an information pamphlet about choice in Covid vaccination in Polish

Leave at least 14 days between other vaccinations such as the 22 wekenprik.

If, despite this advice, you decide not to get vaccinated, avoid situations that might facilitate the transmission of corona wherever possible. Keep your distance, don’t visit crowded places and discuss at work where there are acceptable opportunities for you to protect yourself.

Because it is likely that the vaccines, like other non-live vaccines, will not end up in breast milk, the Health Council sees no objections to vaccination in breast-feeding women.

Work and Corona

The advice applies to pregnant women not to carry out any work from 28 weeks where the 1.5 m distance cannot be guaranteed. Pregnants working in health care facilities will not be allowed to provide COVID-19 care from 28 weeks. See here for more information.

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Relaxations also in birthcare

Update March 1 2022

Relaxations!

Finally, the long-awaited relaxations. We would like to inform you about this.

Actually, we are going along with the national agreements. It is important that we continue to respect each other in this regard, because we also understand that letting go of all measures for pregnant women can sometimes be stressful.

We would like to bring to your attention:

• If you, or one of your housemates, have complaints that could indicate corona, do not come to the practice. Please call to reschedule your appointment. We advise you to get tested at the GGD. We will always provide acute care for you, even if you give birth in hospital.

• Please inform us prior to a home visit if there are any corona-related complaints within the family

• You may decide for yourself whether or not to wear a mouth mask at the practice. This also applies to the midwife herself. Note: in most hospitals and health centers there is still a request to wear a mouth mask in public spaces. Keep an eye on the signs when you enter.

• Please let us know if you would like us to put on a mouth mask, and we will of course take this into account.

• Some extra people are again welcome to accompany you at the check-ups and ultrasounds. We would like to emphasize that we do not recommend taking children with you during the 13- and 20-week ultrasound. This is because these are long and important ultrasound scans that require extensive screening by the ultrasound technician.

Blood samples in the laboratories have to be done by appointment since 1 September (make an appointment). The standard blood tests and the tests on indication can continue as usual.

Courses and meetings 

The live courses about childbirth and breastfeeding are still cancelled for the time being. 

In order to get most of this information, we have made a digital version of our information evening Bevallen en Zo. We can send this to you after your 30th week of pregnancy. Ask your midwife about this!

We now also offer breastfeeding evenings online. These take place once every 6 weeks on Wednesday evenings. You can register for the evening from the 30th pregnancy week onwards, after your registration you will receive an invitation to participate via ZOOM. There is no charge for this evening.

The information evening “Bevallen in het Spaarne Ziekenhuis” (giving birth in the Spaarne Hospital) has also been cancelled. The Spaarne Hospital has made a very nice virtual tour through the women and child center. You can view it here.

Adjustment of visiting rules Obstetric Departments Hospitals

The choice of a home birth or a hospital birth always remains. Feel free to discuss this with us. If you need to stay in the hospital for a longer period of time, the rules that apply in the hospital will apply.

Stay informed about the measures regarding visits to hospitals:

Spaarne Gasthuis

Unfortunately, there are still restrictive measures in the Spaarne Hospital. Read the current agreements here.

We would like to emphasize that you should always report if you or your partner have complaints or has tested positive. Both of you are also welcome in the Spaarne Gasthuis.

Click here for more visitor information about the Spaarne Gasthuis

Alrijne Ziekenhuis:

Because of the corona virus, there are stricter rules regarding your visit. Click here for visitor information about the Alrijne Ziekenhuis

SO FAR THE ADJUSTMENTS

So much for the update on corona. We are immensely pleased with the relaxations, but above all, let us continue to be considerate of each other.

Do you have additional questions? Ask them of your midwife at the consultation hour, we are here for you!