“The medical community is still learning about all of the potential effects COVID-19 may have on pregnancy and newborns,” says Suzanne Spernal, Vice President for Women’s Services at RWJBH.
“What we do know is that all of the stay-safe recommendations—mask-wearing, distancing, and frequent and thorough handwashing—that apply to us all are especially important for pregnant women and infants, and those who visit or care for them.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that mothers who come into a hospital for delivery be tested for COVID-19, even if they have no symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever or chills, loss of taste or smell).
“At RWJBarnabas Health hospitals, we’ve put every precaution in place to ensure the safety of everyone in our facilities, including mothers and their birth partners,” says Spernal. “So far, we’ve delivered more than 10,000 babies during this pandemic and have kept every one of those mothers and babies safe and healthy.”
To learn more about maternity care at RWJBarnabas Health, visit www.rwjbh.org/maternity.