Expecting a new baby is an exciting time for experienced and first-time mothers — but it’s also stressful.
Mothers-to-be have an ever-lengthening list of questions racing through their minds.
Will my baby be healthy? How will I handle childbirth? Will I be a good mother?
Add the threat of COVID-19 and expectant mothers have another thing on their list of worries.
With social distancing and staying-at-home orders becoming the norm during the pandemic crisis,
Tanner Women's Care’s free maternity class has gone virtual to accommodate pregnant women who need the support of their healthcare team now more than ever.
Patients can complete Tanner Women’s Care's Understanding Childbirth Online eClass without leaving the safety of their home. Even now, almost 20 women are enrolled in an online class.
Visit
tanner.org/pregnancyresources to sign up.
“We provide childbirth education, so our patients will have the tools they need to prepare for life with their newborn,” said Natalie Potter, RN, CLC, a nurse educator at Tanner. “Even though we aren’t able to provide these classes in person, our virtual classes allow us to provide the support expectant mothers need.”
Because the virus is new, it’s not known if pregnant people have a greater chance of getting sick from COVID-19 than the general public. But based on available information, pregnant people seem to have the same risk as adults who are not pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“It’s vital for pregnant women to adhere to social distancing and stay-at-home guidelines,” Potter said. “Reducing the time they have to spend in and out of doctors’ offices and hospitals lowers their risk of catching the virus.”.
Other online resources available include the Tanner iBirth App, which is endorsed by Tanner’s obstetrics specialists. The app is an all-in-one resource to guide expectant mothers through pregnancy and the first year of their baby’s life.
Download the app from the
Apple App Store or
Google Play by searching “iBirth.” To unlock exclusive Tanner Maternity Care content, enter: “tannerbabies.”
Obstetricians on Tanner’s medical staff are also available to answer questions about pregnancy and COVID-19 every Wednesday at 3 p.m. throughout April during a Wednesday Well Check conference call.
Visit
tanner.org/classes-and-events to register for the next call.