BMJ 2020;368:m1173 doi: 10.1136/bmj.
m1173 (Published 23 March 2020) Page 1 of 1
News
BMJ: first published as 10.1136/bmj.m1173 on 23 March 2020. Downloaded from [Link] on 20 February 2022 by guest. Protected by copyright.
NEWS
Covid-19: doctors in final trimester of pregnancy
should avoid direct patient contact
Abi Rimmer
The BMJ
Women who are more than 28 weeks pregnant should avoid opportunities to work flexibly in a different capacity, for
direct contact with patients—whether or not they could be example by undertaking telephone or videoconference
infected with covid-19, says updated guidance. Those who are consultations, or taking on administrative duties.”
less than 28 weeks pregnant, however, can continue to work in Women who have chosen not to follow government advice and
patient facing roles provided they use the right personal attend the workplace must not be deployed in roles where they
protection equipment (PPE). are working with patients, it added. “Services may want to
The advice comes from updated guidance from the Royal consider deploying these staff to support other activities such
College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the Royal as education or training needs (such as in infection prevention
College of Midwives, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and and control or simulation),” the guidance said.
Child Health.1 Edward Morris, president of the RCOG, said the college was
It says that while it may not be possible for doctors before 28 aware that the current uncertainty about the risks posed by
weeks’ gestation to completely avoid caring for patients with covid-19 to pregnant women and their babies was causing
covid-19, risk assessments and the use of PPE will give them substantial difficulties and confusion for women, their families,
protection from infection. and their employers.
“Some working environments, such as operating theatres, “Therefore, we very much welcome this further guidance for
respiratory wards, and intensive care and high dependency units, pregnant healthcare workers which we have developed with the
carry a higher risk for pregnant women of exposure to the virus UK chief medical officers.”
through the greater number of aerosol generating procedures He added, “This will enable women and their employers to more
performed,” the guidance says. effectively plan their working patterns and continue to make a
“When caring for suspected or covid-19 patients all healthcare valuable contribution to the workplace until the start of their
workers in these settings are recommended to use appropriate maternity leave.”
PPE. Where possible, pregnant women are advised to avoid Morris said that the evidence base was growing rapidly and,
working in these areas with suspected or covid-19 patients.” when new information emerged, the college would give new
For pregnant women after 28 weeks’ gestation, or with advice through its guidance.
underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease, a
more precautionary approach is advised. 1 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in
pregnancy: information for healthcare professionals (version 2). 13 March 2020. www.
Women in this category should work from home where possible, [Link]/globalassets/documents/guidelines/2020-03-21-covid19-pregnancy-guidance-
[Link].
avoid contact with anyone with symptoms of covid-19, and
Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already
significantly reduce unnecessary social contact, the guidance
granted under a licence) please go to [Link]
says. “For many healthcare workers, this may present permissions
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