Covid19

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A welcome video during COVID-19 by

The Master, Prof. Shane Higgins

PPE and COVID-19 at The NMH

Ireland AM 15/04/2020

NMH COVID-19

Patient Information Line

Please contact the hospital if you have any concerns about your pregnancy e.g Reduced Fetal Movements.
For COVID-19 information, please call our dedicated line on (01) 637 3511.

Our dedicated line is staffed from 8am - 4pm five days a week to help you with COVID-19 queries. Please call the main hospital phone for concerns outside of these hours (01) 637 3100. Thank you.

Visiting the Hospital

In order to protect mothers, babies and staff we ask that you follow the guidelines below when you visit the hospital:

Please visit the hospital alone if you are:

Attending for an Antenatal Visit.
Attending for an Ultrasound Scan.
Admitted as an Inpatient to a Ward including induction of labour.
Visiting your baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Further details on visiting the NICU are below.

You may bring a birth partner/support person with you if you are:

Attending the Labour Ward or Theatre for a caesarean section.

All other visitors to the hospital, including children, are asked NOT TO VISIT at this time. We understand these are difficult asks for parents. Please be assured that your health and the health of your baby are our priority.

Digital Resources

The National Maternity Hospital has put together an information resource regarding COVID-19 and Pregnancy for Women, please click on the picture below to view.

For further online courses please visit our Virtual Classroom.

Information on COVID-19 and Pregnancy for Women

This has been translated into the following languages, please click on link to view.

What to do if you’re expecting and you develop symptoms or get a diagnosis of COVID-19?

If you’re an expectant mother with symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19, it’s important to get in touch with us to let us know about your condition (01 637 3511). We can advise you and give you all the information you need about how this affects you.

Measures to Control the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection

Due to concerns about the potential spread of the COVID-19 Virus, we at The National Maternity Hospital have had to make some changes to how patients and visitors access the hospital:

Maternity Outpatient appointments: Please attend these appointments unless you hear from the hospital.
Ultrasound Scanning appointments: Please attend these appointments unless you hear from the hospital.
Antenatal Classes: All antenatal classes are cancelled until further notice.
Gynaecology and Physiotherapy: All Gynaecology & Physiotherapy Outpatient appointments are postponed due to COVID-19 until further notice.

Your medical team will be in touch with you to discuss how these changes affect you, and the resources you can access to keep you healthy during pregnancy.

COVID-19 - The NMH 4-point plan for any patient concerned they may have COVID-19:

When you go into labour: the isolation ward is specially designed to be a safe environment during labour and afterwards to keep you and your baby safe and well.
We’re here to help.
Covid-19 Phone Helpline: (01) 637 3511

If your baby becomes unwell after discharge home:

If you have a diagnosis or symptoms of COVID-19, or your baby has been in contact with someone with COVID-19, it’s particularly important to observe your baby for signs of infection for at least 14 days after their last contact with the infection. As a first step, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the use of a thermometer and how to take your baby's temperature. It may be difficult in a baby to distinguish between signs of COVID-19 or any other type of infection. Please contact your doctor for further advice if your baby is unwell with any of the following symptoms:

abnormal temperature [<36.0°C or >38.0°C]
poor feeding
difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
lethargy or sleepiness
tummy upset - recurrent diarrhoea and/or vomiting

If you baby has a snuffly nose and/or cough but your child is otherwise well and DOES NOT have abnormal temperature or breathing difficulties, you can continue to observe them at home.

If your baby is unwell and needs to be seen by a doctor, call your GP to arrange a review or bring them to a children's hospital. If for any reason you need to bring your baby to a hospital or GP practice after discharge PLEASE PHONE AHEAD.

Thank you for helping us ensure the safety of our patients and staff.

Resources

Updated Visiting Restrictions to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

11th May 2020

A special thanks to all our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) parents and guardians who have so graciously accepted our updated visitor restrictions to the unit.

NICU will continue to review its visiting policy on a weekly basis. The current policy is:

- Mothers of babies in ICU 1 and HDU (the positive pressure areas) are invited to visit for a maximum of 1 hour per day

- Mothers of babies in the negative pressure areas (Special Care and ICU3) may visit for a maximum of 2 hours per day.

These may be multiple short visits or a single visit.
No mother in any area should remain for > 2 hours in a 24 hour period.

We will continue to make exceptions for families on compassionate grounds as required.

We are acutely aware that our current restrictions are strict. As a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit, we receive babies from all over Ireland and many are extremely preterm. Due to the speciality involved in taking care of our most vulnerable little baby bundles, we need to protect our staff, so that they can continue to be here and give the best possible care. We are doing our best to maximise technology available to us to facilitate video coverage of your baby and will keep you updated on progress.

We very much appreciate your understanding at this challenging time.

How to Register a Birth during Covid19

How to Register a Birth

During the coronavirus pandemic you can apply to register a birth or purchase a certificate of birth by e-mail or by post. There is no need for you to attend the civil registration service offices in person.

For more information, visit the HSE website here

Women’s Health After Motherhood - Course

Learn how to take care of your physical and mental health after giving birth and feel supported during the postpartum period.

This course will help you explore postpartum health problems and learn when to seek help as a new mother.

After giving birth, women can struggle to access reliable resources and trustworthy information regarding their own health. There can be confusion surrounding what is and what isn’t normal after giving birth and many mothers unnecessarily suffer in silence.

On this course, you will gain advice and strategies on how to prioritise postpartum care and help women support one another during the postpartum period. You will address common physical and mental health challenges after birth, learning how to help yourself and when to seek professional healthcare.