President Trump just addressed the concerns of pregnant people

Speaking to the nation Tuesday evening, President Trump addressed something that has been on the minds of pregnant people for weeks: Keeping newborns protected in hospitals that are also treating COVID-19 patients.

“I know many expectant mothers are understandably concerned about exposing their newborn babies to the virus,” the President said.

According to President Trump, actions taken by his administration—including the development of field hospitals—this week will help keep delivery wards and COVID-19 patients “totally separate.”

He said, “We’re giving hospitals the flexibility to use new facilities to treat patients who do not have COVID-19, including expectant mothers, so they can deliver babies in a different environment so as not to worry about infection.”

The President acknowledged that this is a trying time for America and certainly for its expecting mothers, who are dealing with so many worries right now.

Many are worried about having to give birth without their partner or companion (though it should be noted that the New York hospitals that banned partners and visitors were later directed by that state’s government to allow partners in), others are worried about being separated from their babies (this happens, but it is rare and a last resort).

Experts admit that everything is constantly changing right now and that birth plans are being interrupted, but medical providers are still doing the very best they can under the circumstances.

“Having a partner available, having birth support, is essential,” Dr. Neel Shah, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School told WBUR’s Morning Edition on Tuesday.

Shah continued: “Part of the challenge in this new context that we’re in, is that the services that used to be essential a few weeks ago are still essential; we’re just not able to provide them in the same way. And so we’ve got to figure out new ways of delivering the kinds of care that people really need, like virtual prenatal visits.”

Some expecting mothers are seeking different hospitals, or birthing centers to give birth in. Others are investigating home birth.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that despite the pandemic, it believes “the safest place for you to give birth is still a hospital, hospital-based birth center, or accredited freestanding birth center” but notes that “every woman has the right to choose where she will give birth.”

As Motherly’s Digital Education Editor and Midwife, Diana Spalding, previously noted: “It’s important to know that [birth centers or home births] may not be available to everyone.”

As Spalding explains, “home birth and birth centers are considered safe for low-risk pregnancies”, but if your pregnancy has been complicated they may not be a fit for you.

“It’s also key to investigate whether your insurance covers out-of-hospital birth. And certainly, you’ll need to see if the midwives have availability,” she explains.

The ACOG and Spalding both recommend pregnant people talk to their care provider about any fears, worries or changes in plans.

“Perhaps one of the hardest parts of this is that we are still learning. Few questions have solid answers. Still, every day we know more, and I want to assure you that although it feels scary, there is still a good chance everything will be okay, especially if you take the proper precautions,” Spalding writes.

Those precautions include staying home right now, practicing good hand hygiene and communicating with your prenatal care providers.

Everyone (even up to the President of the United States) recognizes how hard it is to be pregnant right now. Lean on the people and the resources that are available to you.