As an obstetric anesthesiologist and a mother to a four-year-old, I’m familiar with a fast-paced lifestyle. I’m no stranger to unexpected obstacles in my career, like emergency surgeries, last-minute hospital calls, and planning for every scenario when treating a patient. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is not like anything I have ever dealt with. The virus has affected every aspect of our daily lives, and everyone from children to the elderly have been touched. Naturally, with unfamiliarity often comes anxiety, and as a mother, I’m having to navigate these uncharted waters. It’s been difficult to explain to my daughter why her life has changed so drastically, why she is unable to play with mommy like usual, or why everyone is wearing masks. Since much of my work focuses on obstetrics, I have been getting many questions from new moms and pregnant women about how to adjust to this “new normal” and navigate the pandemic. Here are my answers to some of the most popular concerns.
Is it safe to take my child to their wellness visits?
In the new reality of dealing with COVID-19, many parents are concerned about keeping standing visits with a pediatrician for their children’s well visits. It’s important to remember that wellness visits and immunizations are vital to a child’s health. As states begin to reopen, pediatric practices across the country are making important accommodations in their offices to keep you and your child as safe as possible. For children under five, well visits are critical to ensure they are hitting growth/developmental milestones and remain up to date on vaccines.
Pregnancy and delivery are typically stressful for most women even without a national pandemic, and planning a very specific birth plan may not set you up for success right now given the constantly changing environment we’re in.
I’m about to give birth and scared about delivering in a hospital.
I hear this concern a lot. I think it’s important to remember that all hospitals are implementing policies to keep their patients safe. From wearing masks and checking temperatures to testing patients and maintaining separate COVID units, we are working hard to adapt and ease our patients’ concerns. Pregnancy and delivery are typically stressful for most women even without a national pandemic, and planning a very specific birth plan may not set you up for success right now given the constantly changing environment we’re in. As an anesthesiologist on the front lines of caring for all types of patients, I understand the heightened anxiety expectant moms are experiencing and am working with my OB colleagues to provide patients with optimal care and support. If you can come in with an open mind about how things will be handled and trust that your team of doctors are working very hard to keep you and your baby safe and healthy, I think you’ll feel much better about the process.
Are you seeing more epidurals and C-sections in this time of COVID-19?
We’re maintaining standards and sticking to evidence-based guidelines for administering epidurals and treating C-section patients. At my practice, we haven’t seen an increase due to the pandemic.
Will I have to labor in a mask?
While most hospitals will recommend and provide women and their partners with masks, it hasn’t been my experience that women are forced to wear them during labor. I think most women are comfortable laboring without a mask when all of the nurses and hospital staff, plus any birth partners, are wearing masks throughout the labor.
I want to limit my time in the hospital. How can I manage the pain and recover more quickly?
Pain is different for everyone, and I urge all expectant moms to speak with their providers about what pain management options are right for them during these unprecedented times. For my patients undergoing C-section deliveries, whether planned or unplanned, I have been using a non-opioid medication called EXPAREL during the procedure to manage pain in the days following delivery, when patients often need it most (Note: I’m a paid consultant for Pacira BioSciences, Inc., the drug’s manufacturer). We had been using this approach for many other types of surgeries but for some reason, there was a huge discrepancy in pain control for pregnant women. They just weren’t getting as much attention as other surgical patients and I wanted to change that. On top of that, 1 in 10 surgery patients prescribed opioids keep persistently using them three to six months after their procedure, so I wanted to find a good alternative. EXPAREL reduces the need for opioids (e.g., Percocet, Oxycontin) and diminishes associated side effects such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and confusion. I realized that my pregnant patients were experiencing much more fear and anxiety due to concerns for their baby and their recovery. Using non-opioid options has provided them with effective pain control, a better recovery experience that allows them to bond with their babies, and go home earlier. Being able to bring your baby home is a huge milestone, so allowing them to do that sooner was a huge benefit.
A quick, smooth recovery is imperative in today’s environment and something that I am passionate about providing for all my patients.
Providing effective pain control in the days following delivery can enhance the recovery experience and help a new mother bond with her baby and potentially offer new mothers the option of going home sooner. A quick, smooth recovery is imperative in today’s environment and something that I am passionate about providing for all my patients.
I’m struggling to find time to take care of myself while being home and caring for my family.
You’re not alone. As women, it’s part of our nature to put the needs of others before our own, but it’s important to carve out time for ourselves. During stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19, I’ve been working to redirect some of the energy I would have spent planning playdates, family vacations, and parties into activities that build my mental, emotional, and physical health. Activities that build on your own health and wellness are especially important during these times. Exercising regularly, eating healthy, spending time outside, and meditating can all help boost endorphins and reduce stress. When you make time for yourself, you prioritize your happiness, and that happiness will trickle into every aspect of your life.
What shifts have you seen in your personal and professional life because of the pandemic?
I have tried to keep my personal life as consistent as possible because my professional life was completely turned upside down. I will say that I do sterilize more and have to decontaminate anything I bring to work with me just to keep my family safe. Professionally, most healthcare providers have had to take on new responsibilities and roles within the hospital to help the most in-need patients. Wearing masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) all the time took some getting used to. It creates a physical barrier between you and the patient, so it’s harder to build trust and comfort them, but I think they understand the need to be cautious about protecting ourselves and protecting them.
Everyone will have to adapt and become comfortable living their lives, and elements of our daily routines will have to change in order to help that process.
How do you expect things to go back to “normal”?
I think most people are going to feel differently coming out of this pandemic, and a “new normal” will be embraced. I don’t necessarily think we’ll have to wear masks forever, but I do think our pre-pandemic version of “normal” is something we will have to let go and we’ll have to pave a new path. Everyone will have to adapt and become comfortable living their lives, and elements of our daily routines will have to change in order to help that process.
COVID-19 has created many obstacles for us all; however, I am confident that we can get through this together. As long as we continue to follow the guidelines put in place to reduce the risk of catching the virus, we are doing our part. As an anesthesiologist and a mother, I will continue to offer my patients the best care I can give so they can enjoy these times as much as possible.
Disclosure: Dr. Warlick is a paid consultant for Pacira BioSciences, Inc.