Business as usual during the COVID‐19 pandemic? Reflections on state‐wide trends in maternity telehealth consultations during lockdown in Victoria and New South Wales

Abstract

COVID-19 has resulted in unprecedented changes to maternity care across Australia. This study aims to analyse trends in maternity consultations and the uptake of telehealth in Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) since the first restrictions to reduce COVID-19 transmission were implemented. From March 2020 to April 2021, a higher proportion of antenatal care consultations was delivered via telehealth in Victoria compared to NSW (13.8% vs 7.4%, P < 0.0001). Uptake of telehealth and a shift from in-person care has been a major contributor to maintaining pregnancy care during pandemic restrictions. However, further research is required to understand women's perspectives and health outcomes.

The impact of assisted reproductive technology and ovulation induction on breech presentation: A whole of population‐based cohort study

“…The absolute risk increases in breech from spontaneous pregnancy in these high‐risk cohorts were found to be 1.6 and 2.7% for OI and ART, respectively. This is an important consideration given recent reductions in face‐to‐face antenatal care and ultrasound surveillance practice and guidelines across Australia and internationally due to the SARS‐CoV2 pandemic 22–24 . Ensuring antenatal assessment of fetal presentation at 36–37 weeks' gestation would enable the timely diagnosis of malpresentation and education about available care options, such as external cephalic version, elective caesarean or a planned vaginal breech birth.…”

“…This is an important consideration given recent reductions in face-to-face antenatal care and ultrasound surveillance practice and guidelines across Australia and internationally due to the SARS-CoV2 pandemic. [22][23][24] Ensuring antenatal assessment of fetal presentation at 36-37 weeks' gestation would enable the timely diagnosis of malpresentation and education about available care options, such as external cephalic version, elective caesarean or a planned vaginal breech birth. Women can then make an informed decision about mode of birth.…”

Assessing System Performance of Maternal and Child Health Care During Covid-19 Pandemic in Community Health Center- Comoro Dili Timor-Leste

“…[45] Uptake of telehealth and a shift from in-person care has been a major contributor to maintaining pregnancy care during pandemic restrictions in, New South Wales, Australia. [46]Researcher from Africa call for the use of telemedicine needs to be improved in African countries to allow for the continued provision of health services during pandemics. [47] Globally, Various (IEC) materials have been produced to raise awareness regarding protection of mother and child during COVID-19 through professional associations and made available free only [8] However, due to internet connecting challenges, these free materials were often lacking the lower level health facilities especially in the post-conflict and developing countries.…”

“…[45] Uptake of telehealth and a shift from inperson care has been a major contributor to maintaining pregnancy care during pandemic restrictions in, New South Wales, Australia. [46]Researcher from Africa call for the use of telemedicine needs to be improved in African countries to allow for the continued provision of health services during pandemics. [47] Globally, Various (IEC) materials have been produced…”