Obstetrics and gynaecology in the era of COVID-19

Abstract

The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The alarming levels of spread and severity of the viral disease has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. Women often face the highest risk of suffering devastating losses from the pandemic. Historically, women’s health has always been inadequately represented in responses to global outbreaks. Resources are often funnelled away from women’s health services towards targets perceived to be more important. Pregnant women with suspected, probable or confirmed COVID-19, should have access to obstetric and foetal medicine, neonatal care as well as mental health and psychosocial support, at facilities ready to tackle maternal and neonatal complications. In this article, we attempt to look at the challenges faced by gynaecologists because of this pandemic, and provide an overview on the current protocols in antenatal care, foetal care, childbirth, and oncological care.