Covid 19 - Two

We hope that you are all keeping safe and can social isolate as much as possible. It seems that all our efforts to stay at home are flattening the curve and that is great news!
 
 
Are You Coping?
 
We know that this crisis is affecting everyone differently, some are grieving dreams they had around how things would be for birth, for their newborns and for the plans they may have now been unable to keep. Others have adjusted to staying in with a natural affinity to me-time and are lapping up the jigsaw puzzles, pajama days and not having to make plans - ever.
 
If you are struggling to come to terms with the world as it is right now and would like a little extra support, be brave and reach out, there are people who can help. Consider speaking to someone who can help you manage your way through this moment. There are some support services that Dr Holland works closely with who may be able to be part of that support system, consider if their services might be helpful to you right now:
 
The Hummingbird Centre, psychology http://www.hummingbirdcentre.com.au/
Forest for the Trees, psychology https://forestpsychology.com.au/
 
 
Online Birthing Classes
 
Midwife Karen Scanlon is now offering online birthing classes as an alternative to the Newcastle Private Hospital birthing classes. Here is some information directly from Karen:
 
In light of current world events Embracing Birth has ceased face to face courses and is now delivering courses on-line using the Zoom platform in the comfort and safety of your home
The feedback has been reassuring and the quality of course has been maintained
Antenatal Courses that cover traditional hospital-based content will now be held over two Wednesday evenings from 6 pm until 9 pm and full day options on Saturdays from 9am until 4pm
Hypnobirthing Australia courses will continue to be held monthly on the same course timetable already published on this site
Private sessions for both courses are available by arrangement for those couples that are unable to attend a scheduled group course or choose not to
Please call to secure a booking or make an inquiry through website contact form as class times are been added daily to meet demand
Karen Scanlen
Embracing Birth
Mob 0407269920
https://embracingbirth.net.au/
 
 
Health Care Workers and Work
 
In our previous email we outlined some information regarding Coivd-19 risks and pregnant women in our fact sheet. This information hasn’t changed, and a copy of that document has been attached today for all our new ladies.
 
There is advice to pregnant health care workers that you need to consider if you are working in a health care facility. The following information was released by Hunter New England Local Health District. To summarise pregnant health care workers who are over 28wks or who have any underlying health conditions should speak to Dr Holland about their working arrangements.
 
Given the evidence the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the UK released to following advise for pregnant health care workers https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/updated-advice-for-pregnant-healthcare-workers-and-employers-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
 
All pregnant health care workers are advised to adhere to standard and transmission-based precautions to lesson the transmission of COVID-19.
 
Healthcare workers prior to 28 weeks’ gestation with no underlying health conditions:

• Continue to work as normal.
• It may not be possible to completely avoid caring for patients with COVID-19. Use PPE and risk assess according to guidelines to reduce the risk of infection.
• Where possible, pregnant women are advised to avoid caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in environments that carry a higher risk of exposure to the virus due to increased aerosol generating procedures (such as operating theatres, respiratory wards and intensive/high dependency units).

Healthcare workers after 28 weeks’ gestation or with underlying health conditions

• It is recommended that pregnant women from 28 weeks’ gestation or those with underlying health conditions avoid working directly with patients.
• Managers are encouraged to seek opportunities for roles that are not working directly with patients.
• Consider early maternity leave.

 
 
COVID-19 Blog
 
Our Covid-19 emails to you will now be available on our website as a blog, this will give new members a chance to look back over information that we have sent out in the past and save everyone else the trouble of searching through their emails!
https://www.drmatthewholland.com.au/covid-19-blog