As the spread of COVID-19 continues to cause concern across the globe, parents-to-be are especially anxious about how the novel coronavirus will impact their pregnancy and their newborns.
For 26-year-old Sarah Stewart, being pregnant during the pandemic has been nothing short of stressful. With an Aug. 17 due date, Stewart said she is already at risk for preterm labor after her first child was born at 32 weeks and had to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit for a month.
“With all the stress going on in the world right now and the possibility of getting sick, I don’t want to go into preterm labor again,†the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ mom said. “I want to have a happy and healthy pregnancy.â€
While she is still doing biweekly ultrasounds, Stewart said all of her primary-care appointments have been canceled until further notice. Even as many ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ physicians are beginning to replace in-person appointments with tele-health appointments, Stewart said she hadn’t been offered that option.
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“I understand they want to protect everyone from the virus, but yet they won’t allow you to see the doctor,†she said. “I feel like the doctors should at least call their patients to check up on them.â€
Stewart said she will be giving birth at Northwest Medical Center but hasn’t been given any specific instructions or told what to expect when arriving at the hospital.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is unknown at this time if pregnant women are at greater risk of infection or experiencing more severe symptoms of COVID-19. With other illnesses, such as influenza, pregnant women are at greater risk for more severe outcomes because pregnancy causes changes in the immune system. However, there have been some initial studies out of New York showing that pregnant women without any underlying conditions are about the same as healthy adults in terms of risk of severe infection.
“All of my patients are understandably anxious about this,†said Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, a physician and OB/GYN at Northwest hospital. “What I’m recommending to them is just the normal CDC recommendations to try to limit and avoid contact, keep from touching your face or eyes, mouth, nose while you’re out, and hand-washing and social distancing.â€
Even without the increased risk of more severe illness from COVID-19, some women are concerned about having to spend days in a hospital where there could be positive cases. Because of this, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-area hospitals have put several new procedures and policies in place to protect them from exposure.
At both ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Medical Center and Northwest hospitals, all staff workers, patients and visitors are being screened for symptoms of coronavirus before they enter the building. Both hospitals have also begun limiting the number of visitors that patients can have. They are allowing one person to be with mom during delivery, but no other visitors are permitted.
Newborns will not be taken out of rooms unless there is a complication or concern for infection. To limit the number of people coming in and out of patients’ rooms, the hospitals are also calling to collect insurance information or provide food options.
“The one thing I think that’s important for them to know is that we have tried to limit the amount of people that are coming in and out of the departments,†said Dee Bien, director of Patient Care and Women & Children’s Services at TMC. “We know that pregnancy is a time where you want your family around, but given the situation and the environment that we’re in, it’s important that we do that.â€
Bien said parents are encouraged to take advantage of technology like FaceTime and other apps to show off their new babies, and to encourage their family members to abide by social distancing guidelines in an effort to keep their newborns healthy.
For Justine Stiffler, 24, this was the most difficult part. Stiffler, who just gave birth to her son last week, said that while she was able to have her husband with her, it was heartbreaking not being able to introduce the new baby to her other child or family members right away.
Stiffler said they also had to change their birthing plan because of the virus. Her sister, who lives three hours away, was supposed to be in the delivery room with her and was going to stay and help take care of her toddler while she recovered.
“All those plans had to be canceled, which really messed everything up because my husband was forced to take time off of work to stay home and help me with the boys,†Stiffler said. “And since we weren’t prepared for him to take time off so soon, we aren’t getting paid, so we are stressed about money.â€
Labor and delivery units have also had to take new precautions when caring for babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, especially those who have been born with respiratory conditions.
“In our NICU, our isolettes have been spaced at least 6 feet apart and we’re only allowing one parent or visitor at a time just to keep up with the guidelines in terms of social distancing,†said Jorge Falas, chief nursing officer at Northwest Hospital’s Women’s Center.
While neither TMC or Northwest has had any known coronavirus cases in their labor and delivery units, there is a concern that a mom could be carrying the virus and not have any symptoms. Both hospitals have negative-pressure rooms available in their labor and delivery units and NICUs to separate any potentially infected patients.
“There is concern for transmission of an infected mother to the baby once the baby is born,†Johnson said. “For a mom who is symptomatic and breastfeeding, it’s going to be nearly impossible to avoid transmission from the respiratory tract. There’s not really evidence that it spreads through the placenta or breast milk, but it’s going to be very, very hard to keep the baby from getting exposed to mom.â€
Overall, both hospitals said they are doing everything they can to reduce the risk of exposure for all moms and infants in their units. Even so, Bien said that some pregnant women and new moms are trying so hard to avoid the hospital through the pandemic that they are putting themselves at risk for other complications.
“We have had a lot of our postpartum mommies who, once they go home, might start experiencing a headache or some other things that are indicative of warning signs after delivery, and they’re kind of prolonging coming back into the hospital for a checkup to see what’s going on,†she said. “This is a whole big change in the normal process of delivery. But we want families to know that they can definitely come in and be evaluated in the hospital. We are a safe place, and we put all kinds of mechanisms in place to keep them safe.â€
Photos for April 11: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Susan Hillman chats with her mother Betty Hillman via telephone, April 9, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. Eighty-five year old Betty Hillman is in long term skilled care and Susan is unable to visit due to COVID-19 restrictions on nursing home facilities.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Susan Hillman chats with her mother Betty Hillman near a photo of Betty and her husband, Susan's dad, Bill, circa 2105, April 9, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. Eighty-five year old Betty Hillman is in long term skilled care and Susan is unable to visit due to COVID-19 restrictions on nursing home facilities.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Ben Forbes, left, owner of Forbes Meat Company, helps Jeronimo "Mo" Madril, right owner and executive chef of Geronimo's Revenge, wrap up tortilla's for to-go carnitas for Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge's "Carnitas for the community" at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge partnered to help the restaurant community by offering free carnitas to those affected by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). They will be making to go carnitas every Monday in April starting at 2pm until all the to go packs, roughly 60, are all gone. Forbes wanted to find a way to help out the restaurant community. "They are struggling and my business is exploding," said Forbes.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

David Clark, left, out of work bartender, and Jeronimo "Mo" Madril, owner and executive chef of Geronimo's Revenge, practice social distancing while waiting to give out carnitas for Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge's "Carnitas for the community" at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge partnered to help the restaurant community by offering free carnitas to those affected by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). They will be making to go carnitas every Monday in April starting at 2pm until all the to go packs, roughly 60, are all gone.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Steve Tracy, Thunder Canyon Brewery co-owner and brewer, fills up 16oz bottles of locally made hand sanitizer at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Thunder Canyon Brewery, along with a few other local distilleries, are making United States Food and Drug Administration approved hand sanitizer for hospitals, first responders and the public in response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). "Whatever I have, I am turning into hand sanitizer," said Tracy. "We are going to keep making it as much as we can."
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Steve Tracy, Thunder Canyon Brewery co-owner and brewer, fills up 16oz bottles of locally made hand sanitizer at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Thunder Canyon Brewery, along with a few other local distilleries, are making United States Food and Drug Administration approved hand sanitizer for hospitals, first responders and the public in response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). "Whatever I have, I am turning into hand sanitizer," said Tracy. "We are going to keep making it as much as we can."
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

David Sbarra, a psychology professor at the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, points his webcam at his children Margot, 9, and Mateo, 12, as he begins his introduction of his office hours for a class he now conducts over Zoom in his living room while teaching from home, on April 7, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Ben Elias, manager at Westbound, center, helps Dustin Schaber with his pickup order on April 8, 2020. Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) only two customers are allowed in the shop, located at the MSA Annex, at the same time and all orders are to-go.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Laura Tanzer, a local fashion designer, posted on Facebook that she will make masks for $5.00 each on April 5. Tanzer thought she would receive a couple of dozen orders, but, within 24 hours she heard from over 200 people. Tanzer is now working out of her shop in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ making masks that also has a filter sowed into them. Tanzer is wearing one of her masks as she sows on April 8, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Oro Valley Hospital chief administration officer Erinn Oller talks with Fang, a local organizer with the Chinese-American COVID-19 Relief AZ group, which donated 6,000 masks, on April 9, 2020. Additional mask donations are planned as soon as shipments arrive.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Healthcare workers line up for their 2 free Sonoran hot dogs and a drink from BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs in the parking lot of St. Mary's Hospital on April 10, 2020. The owner, Benny Galaz, is giving free food to healthcare workers at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ area hospitals for the next several weeks as a way to say thank you for their hard work during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Benny Galaz, owner of BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs, cooks up Sonoran hot dogs in the parking lot of St. Mary's Hospital on April 10, 2020. Galaz is giving free food to healthcare workers at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ area hospitals for the next several weeks as a way to say thank you for their hard work during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Healthcare workers line up for their 2 free Sonoran hot dogs and a drink from BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs in the parking lot of St. Mary's Hospital on April 10, 2020. The owner, Benny Galaz, is giving free food to healthcare workers at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ area hospitals for the next several weeks as a way to say thank you for their hard work during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

A man uses the taped off exercise station in Reid Park as an anchor for his band workout, April 8, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Alicia Roseanna, 9, fourth grader at Esperanza Elementary School, grabs a sheet of paper while listening to her teacher, Rachel Watson, and her classmates inside her home in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. during Watson's online class on April 7, 2020. Due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) closing down schools and universities, teachers and students have been forced to schedule and participate in classes online for the remainder of the school year.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

COVID-19 survivor, Glen Reed, poses for a photo looking out from the room he's using for isolation from his family in his home, April 10, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. Reed spent nearly a month in the hospital including weeks in ICU on a ventilator.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

ER and EMS workers run through a drill practicing how to process an incoming patient experiencing a respiratory emergency at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Medical Center's Emergency Room, on April 10, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Fire Paramedic personnel prepare to run a drill at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Medical Center's Emergency Room, on April 10, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

The CDC recommends Americans wear a facial covering when out in public, part of an effort to reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Above, shopping for spring blooms at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Green Things Nursery.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) signs taped onto dorms at the Babcock Dorms. The rooms located at 1717 E Speedway Boulevard may be used to house hospital workers from Banner - University Medical Center if they need to be quarantined due to COVID-19.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Alex Swain, a member of Beloved in the Desert - ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s chapter of the Episcopal Service Corps, packs the trunk of his housemate's SUV in the parking lot of Fry's on 2480 N Swan Road after grocery shopping for an elderly man, on April 3, 2020. Swain and his housemates have volunteered to shop for elderly and at risk populations as people quarantine and stay at home during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Julisa Montano, a bus driver with Sunnyside Unified School District, gathers up the last few meals to hand out to students outside of Gallego Primary School, on April 7, 2020. The school district is distributing meals and has wifi available for students to use for school.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

A table is taped off at Fred Enke Golf Course, 8251 E. Irvington Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 5, 2020 due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). With a rise in the amount of people participating in golf, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ City Golf is taking extra measures to keep people safe such as sanitizing golf carts after each use and social distancing.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Rich DelVecchio, a Fred Enke Golf Course employee, sanitizes a golf cart. Course revenues at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s city-owned golf properties are up nearly 28% from the same period last year.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Golfers practice social distancing while on the driving range at Fred Enke Golf Course, 8251 E. Irvington Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 5, 2020. With a rise in the amount of people participating in golf, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ City Golf is taking extra measures to keep people safe such as sanitizing golf carts after each use and social distancing.
Contact reporter Jasmine Demers at jdemers@tucson.com
On Twitter: @JasmineADemers