With locations in Livingston, Belleville, Warren, Westfield and Teaneck, New Jersey Perinatal Associates‘ commitment to hands-on care has earned the practice a consistent presence on Top Doctors lists.
As COVID-19 has increased health concerns worldwide, expectant parents may feel an added layer of stress as they worry about potential risks the coronavirus may pose to both mom and baby.
Edward J. Wolf, MD, who specializes in maternal-fetal medicine at New Jersey Perinatal Associates (NJPA), noted that generally, pregnant women may be at higher risk for complications from some viral respiratory infections. But, its currently unknown if pregnant women have a greater chance of getting sick from COVID-19 than their non-pregnant counterparts.
“If Mom gets it, just like the majority of people who did not have to be admitted to the hospital, she may have minimal symptoms,” Dr. Wolf said. “The majority of people have done very well.”
Dr. Wolf also said that COVID-related hospitalizations are down considerably from their peak in April.
“There’s absolutely no comparison,” he said.
Does the Virus Potentially Impact a Fetus?
Currently, the medical community is unsure if the virus can cross the placenta or have longer-term complications, said Dr. Dom Terrone of NJPA.
“There were multiple studies in the beginning suggesting ‘no,’ ” he said. “Then there were a couple that said, ‘maybe.’ The problem with this, of course, is, ‘Did it really happen during pregnancy, or is it something right after childbirth or in the first couple of hours, where a baby gets exposed?’ For the most part, at least right now, it doesn’t look like it causes birth defects in the babies like some viruses can. And, for the most part, it doesn’t seem to cross the placenta.”
Telehealth Services Decrease the Spread
In addition to the best maternal and fetal care practitioners in the state, NJPA is comprised of highly trained and experienced perinatologists, perinatal nurses, ultrasonographers and genetic counselors.
With locations in Livingston, Belleville, Warren, Westfield and Teaneck, NJPA’s commitment to hands-on care has earned the practice a consistent presence on Top Doctors lists.
To lower the potential risk to patients and staff, NJPA initially decreased the frequency of patient visits during the pandemic’s peak in line with guidance from governing bodies such as the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
NJPA utilized telemedicine to consult with patients remotely.
“Certain things lend themselves to that, like our preconception consults and genetic counseling,” according to Dr. Wendy Warren of NJPA. “There’s no reason to have that talk in person, so that decreases the amount of time patients and staff are exposed to each other.”
Ensuring patients and staff are kept at minimal risk, NJPA has spread out its appointments and extended hours to include weekends to prevent crowding in common areas.
Taking Precautions to Stay Healthy
For those considering conceiving, Dr. Leon G. Smith Jr. said one of the best things to do to guard against illness is to get the flu vaccine. Following that, he recommends adhering to guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control, which include wearing a mask, frequent hand washing and abiding by social distancing measures.
“Those are still the best things for decreasing the spread,” Dr. Smith said. “So there’s no reason to change that. Potential moms need to continue to be good and avoid getting frustrated with it and giving in and saying, ‘You know what, I’m sick and tired of COVID, so now I’m going to break the social distancing guidelines. I’m not going to wear a mask.’ — those are still the best things for decreasing the spread. So there’s no reason to change that at a time when somebody is thinking of getting pregnant. In fact, it’s all the reason to do it even more.”
Seeing an Uptick in Pregnant Women
While many predicted a quarantine-related baby boom, Dr. Wolf said he has only recently seen an uptick.
“I think people are getting tired of waiting,” he said. “If you’re a young couple planning to have your first child and you’ve made it through this initial surge, I think a lot of people have been thinking, ‘All right, it looks like the worst is by us. We’re not waiting anymore.”
For more information, visit NJ Perinatal Associates’ website or call (973) 322-5287.
— Elizabeth Alterman
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