How are Fresno-area hospitals protecting expecting mothers during coronavirus pandemic?
The idea of giving birth at a hospital amid the coronavirus pandemic filled Breyonna Gaines with fear.
The 26-year-old Fresno mother and her husband, Gary Barrett, weren’t certain he would be allowed to be by her side.
The couple considered having a home birth, but said it was too expensive. So they went to Community Regional Medical Center, despite their concerns.
It took about three hours to admit Gaines into the hospital on April 9. Her husband had to wait outside. She said it was “a little nerve-racking.”
“It was extremely stressful from the get-go,” Barrett said. “It’s very, very much terrifying, but we definitely kept faith ... she’s been a trooper in this.”
Since the coronavirus pandemic hit Fresno County, some local hospitals have been hearing from expecting mothers like Gaines, afraid of visiting hospitals as COVID-19 cases mount.
Gaines said she feared infection and also worried her husband wouldn’t be allowed in the room when she gave birth.
Shantay Davies-Balch, president and chief executive officer for the Black Wellness and Prosperity Center, said mothers she’s spoken have those same concerns, and also worry about shortages of beds and medical staff.
The California Nurses Association earlier this week said nearly a dozen nurses at Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center contracted the virus, most while on the job. Kaiser officials said the hospital was following all safety guidelines to protect staff and patients.
Davies-Balch’s organization was one of several groups that recently added their names to a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, detailing their concerns over the pandemic’s effect on maternity ward resources.
“Women were really just starting to feel fearful of having their babies in the hospital,” Davies-Balch said. “Women and babies of color are at risk of experiencing adverse outcomes as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially our black population, which data is already revealing a racial disparity.”
Protecting moms and infants
It’s still unclear whether the coronavirus carries more risk for pregnant women or their babies. Researchers are enrolling expecting mothers in nationwide studies to learn more about the effects of the virus. Public health officials also are gathering data and working with doctors to increase testing.
Meanwhile, doctors and nurses are taking precautions to protect expecting mothers.
Officials from three local medical groups – Kaiser Permanente, Saint Agnes Medical Center, Community Regional Medical Centers – told The Bee they’re strictly following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, medical experts and health departments.
Local hospitals don’t anticipate a shortage of maternity ward beds, according to Dr. Nancy Goler, an OB-GYN and associate executive director at The Permanente Medical Group.
“We understand this is a stressful time for expecting mothers who may have questions about their care,” she said.
While hospitals continue to postpone elective surgeries, cesarean births are moving forward with “no disruption” at Kaiser Permanente, Goler said.
Expecting mothers delivering at Saint Anges Medical Center will be assisted by their OB-GYN physician of choice “just like normal,” according to Kelley Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the hospital.
“Our moms are able to come here and they are able to deliver, and they are able to have a significant other during labor and after,” Sanchez said.
Hospitals, she said, also have reserve beds available in the event of a sudden shortage.
Dr. Jeff Thomas, vice president and chief medical and quality officer at Community Regional Medical Center, said the labor and delivery departments continue to operate normally.
“The only changes we are implementing are increased protections for our patients, families and staff from coronavirus,” he said.
Some of the changes include limiting visitors. The women’s partner or support person must stay in the hospital for the entire hospitalization.
Barrett said the hospital remains on a tight “lock-down.”
“I packed for at least three to four days,” he said. “You can’t even leave the floor.”
A happy outcome
At about 6:42 a.m. on April 10, Gaines gave birth to Kayde Barrett. Her husband was at her side.
Before he was allowed into the labor room, Barrett passed a medical screening and answered a list of questions. And, he agreed not to leave the hospital until his wife and baby were discharged and sent home.
It felt especially challenging to have the birth at a hospital, the couple said, because their family already has been affected by COVID-19. Gaines’ uncle died after contracting the disease.
So, he said, hospitals felt “very, very risky.”
However, Gaines said, the hospital did a “fairly good job.”
“I’m definitely happy for the outcome,” she said. “It was definitely an experience -- something to look back on. Life is unpredictable.”
This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 9:23 AM.
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