{"id":3225,"date":"2022-01-24T16:31:37","date_gmt":"2022-01-24T08:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/?p=3225"},"modified":"2022-01-24T16:31:37","modified_gmt":"2022-01-24T08:31:37","slug":"giving-birth-in-hong-kong-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/giving-birth-in-hong-kong-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving birth in Hong Kong during COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether it\u2019s preparing for the arrival of your little one or dealing with giving birth anxieties (especially for new moms), there are a number of stress-inducing factors when you\u2019re pregnant. Add COVID-19 and the new Omicron variant to the mix and things get even more stressful. After all, safety measures and rules have changed (and continue to change!). But worry not, this <\/span>Pacific Prime Hong Kong<\/span><\/a> will give you an up-to-date, practical guide on what to expect when giving birth during COVID-19.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Health<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n

What if pregnant women test positive for COVID-19?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pregnant women who test positive for COVID-19 will be contacted by Hong Kong\u2019s Department of Health (DOH) to arrange admission to a public hospital for isolation and treatment. It\u2019s not clear whether pregnant women will receive the same treatment as non-pregnant individuals, and it\u2019s likely that medical staff will assess on a case-by-case basis. While waiting for admission to a hospital, it\u2019s necessary to stay at home and avoid mixing with others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meals and basic daily personal necessities (e.g. toilet paper) will be provided, though you can also bring your own items like clothes and any daily medication. The DOH will also investigate your close contacts and arrange for them to quarantine as well. If close contacts are from the same household as the pregnant woman, they can share the same unit depending on factors like unit availability, unit size, and family make up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Giving birth when confirmed with COVID-19<\/span><\/h3>\n

It is normal procedure for pregnant women to be tested for COVID-19 before being admitted to a hospital, but there usually isn\u2019t anything to worry about. According to various studies so far, no active virus has been detected in samples of fluid around the baby or in breast milk. Based on this, the WHO has stated that pregnant women with COVID-19 can still give birth naturally should they wish to. That being said, it\u2019s advisable that the mother wears a face mask to reduce the risk of transmission when interacting with the newborn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can partners be in the delivery room?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Having your partner by your side can help you feel at ease when giving birth. While this is usually allowed in Hong Kong public hospitals, the <\/span>Hospital Authority (HA) barred partners from the delivery room<\/span><\/a> when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Many couples only found out when admitted to the maternity ward. This rule only applied to public hospitals as private hospitals don\u2019t come under the HA\u2019s regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, this rule has been reversed. As of January 12th, 2021, <\/span>partners are allowed back into the delivery room<\/span><\/a> in public hospitals if they can present a negative COVID-19 test. The test has to be taken within the past 3 days. However, partners are not allowed to be with the mother until she is in active labor and is tested negative for COVID-19. As for private hospitals, partners may also need to be tested for COVID-19 depending on the hospital policy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> Even though partners are now allowed in the delivery room, this raises an important consideration. If the situation calls for it in the near future, the HA may bar partners from the delivery room in public hospitals once again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When partners shouldn\u2019t be in the delivery room<\/span><\/h3>\n

That being said, patient safety is still of utmost priority in private hospitals. Partners need to be mindful of their own health and understand that COVID-19 safety measures still apply to them. Factors that can prevent them from being in the delivery room include:<\/span><\/p>\n