The body of French gynecologists and obstetricians recommended Tuesday to somewhat relax the restrictions on support for pregnant women due to the epidemic of Covid-19, by allowing the presence of the person of their choice during ultrasound scans and their stay after delivery.
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Until now, in most maternity hospitals, the person accompanying the mother is only allowed to stay during childbirth and two hours after birth. "If this decision seemed acceptable at the most acute moment of the health crisis, it now seems difficult, while deconfinement is preparing and the situation has stabilized with less circulation of the virus, to keep the same doctrine" , explains the National College of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) in a press release.
"The particularity that is the life event that a birth represents, the importance for a couple to prepare together the different times that precede and follow it and the necessary support around the psychic challenges of perinatality" , bring the Learned society to recommend "to facilitate the presence of the accompanying person with pregnant women in French maternities, subject to the possibility of implementing barrier measures and a commitment of the accompanying person to respect these" . His presence should therefore be possible "at the essential consultations, during ultrasound, childbirth or during the postpartum stay depending on local conditions" .
The accompanying person "confined" for the duration of his presence in the birthing room
As it is already the case, research of symptoms of the disease (fever, cough ...), masks and hydroalcoholic solution are de rigueur, and the accompanist undertakes to remain "confined" for the duration of his presence in the birthing room, to avoid as much as possible the comings and goings.
After childbirth, “it seems preferable to envisage a total absence of the caregiver who stays with the mother. If the stay is longer or the accompanying person cannot stay sleeping there, only one visit is authorized per day, any outing is considered final and only a return the next day may be authorized, ” recommends the CNGOF.
