GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PREGNANT WOMEN AND NURSING MOTHERS DURING COVID-19
Guideline · Health
Guidelines provide direction for managing pregnant women and nursing mothers with COVID-19. They target obstetricians, midwives, nurses, and neonatal care personnel. The aim is to protect maternal and newborn health during the pandemic.
GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PREGNANT WOMEN AND NURSING MOTHERS DURING COVID-19
What Is This Policy?
Clinical guidelines providing healthcare workers with guidance on the safe management of pregnant women and nursing mothers who are confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases.
Who Does It Target?
Obstetricians, midwives, and nurses in maternal health facilities Pregnant women and nursing mothers with COVID-19 Neonatal care personnel State Ministry of Health maternal health programmes
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Protect the health of pregnant women and their newborns during the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining essential maternal health services.
Key Features
Clinical Management: Provides guidance on antenatal care adjustments, delivery planning, and postpartum management for COVID-19-positive pregnant women. Delivery Planning: Recommends delivery in designated COVID-19 obstetric units with appropriate IPC measures in place. Newborn Care: Provides guidance on temporary separation of COVID-19-positive mothers from newborns and safe breastfeeding practices. Telemedicine: Encourages use of telemedicine for non-urgent antenatal consultations to reduce hospital exposure.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Implemented in all tertiary and secondary healthcare facilities Coverage: Nationwide Beneficiaries: Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and newborns Funding: Federal Ministry of Health; donor support
How to Access
Pregnant women with COVID-19 symptoms must seek immediate medical attention Routine antenatal visits to continue with appropriate IPC precautions Application method: Access through obstetric units of designated healthcare facilities.
Important Terms
Pregnant women with severe COVID-19 are at higher risk and require intensive monitoring Temporary separation from newborns is a precautionary measure, not a standard protocol in all cases Breastfeeding decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis
Official Resources
Website: https://www.ncdc.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health / NCDC
Legal Framework
Issued under the authority of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health pursuant to the NCDC Act 2018 and the National Health Act 2014. Operates alongside the Quarantine Act, the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, the National Reproductive Health Policy, and the WHO guidelines on COVID-19 in pregnancy. Aligns with FIGO (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) COVID-19 guidance.