A Woman's Journey
JUN 14, 2022Take care of your mental health throughout life's ups and downs.
Read More Additional information about A Woman's Journey | Spirit of Health | CHI Saint Joseph HealthRight now, many mothers-to-be have the same question: What is the risk of COVID-19 to me and my baby?
Amy Baker, DO, OB-GYN, CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group – Obstetrics and Gynecology, said that although the worries mothers have right now are understandable, she wants them to know that the overall risk to pregnant women is still low.
“We’ve been fortunate to not have very many positive cases,” Dr. Baker said. “Obviously, there are a lot of unknowns, but so far, COVID-19 has not been shown to be as severe in pregnancy as other viral illnesses. However, pregnant women with other comorbidities may be at increased risk of severe illness.”
One of the most important things pregnant women can do right now, along with maintaining prenatal care appointments, is follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Wear a mask in public, wash hands frequently, maintain physical distancing, and limit contact with others. CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group has also implemented universal COVID-19 testing before hospital admission to reduce the risk of virus contraction.
“We’re managing pregnancy similarly to how we would outside of COVID-19, but low-risk patients may have spaced out appointments to limit their risk of exposure,” Dr. Baker said. “We are still providing the same level of care for mom and baby’s well-being.”
Keeping up with prenatal appointments is vital for you and your baby’s health. Click here to learn more about obstetrics care at CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group.
A version of this article originally appeared in the Fall 2020 edition of Spirit of Health. For more stories like this one, subscribe to Spirit of Health magazine today.
Take care of your mental health throughout life's ups and downs.
Read More Additional information about A Woman's Journey | Spirit of Health | CHI Saint Joseph HealthKeeping your heart healthy should be at the top of your to-do list.
Read More Additional information about Heart Health Matters | Spirit of Health | CHI Saint Joseph HealthSevere joint pain can take a heavy toll on your life, but it doesn't have to. Joint replacement surgery is a safe and effective solution that has given millions of people the freedom to move and enjoy their favorite activities again.
Read More Additional information about Does Hip or Knee Pain Affect Your Daily Life? | Spirit of Health | CHI Saint Joseph Health