The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 5th October 2021 has published the guidelines on operationalization of maternal health services during Covid-19 pandemic.
This document provides necessary guidance for the management of Pregnant Women (PW )at community and facility level during the COVID-19 pandemic, including utilization of Telemedicine for Ante natal Care services.
Re-organization of antenatal care and visits for all PW during the current pandemic need to be considered by States/UTs not only to reduce the possibility of exposure of a healthy PW to infected individuals but also to minimize health care workers’ exposure to PW who maybe infected but are asymptomatic.
PW should be informed that though they are not at an increased risk of COVID 19 infection but if infected they may be at an increased risk of severe infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes in the form of ICU admission, invasive ventilation, need for ECMO or death, hence they should take all precautions to protect themselves from exposure and get themselves and their family members vaccinated.
It is recommended that all PW reporting to health facility for admission should be screened and tested for COVID-19, however it is important to note that no PW should be denied immediate care on the basis of non-availability of testing facility.
RT-PCR test must not be repeated in any individual who has tested positive once either by RAT or RT-PCR.
Further, the pregnant women should be supported in their decision to breastfeed their babies as an informed choice. No baby should be denied the right to mother’s milk citing logistical reasons at any healthcare facility.
All methods of contraception except combined hormonal contraception & laparoscopic sterilization can be started safely by most women immediately after birth, whether they choose to breastfeed or not.
