Antenatal care and COVID-19

On 25 January 2020, Australia recorded its first cases of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease 2019 (COVID-19). As the number of cases increased, physical distancing, restrictions on activities and businesses, and border closures were implemented to slow the spread of the virus (Grattan Institute 2020). Figure 1 provides an overview of some key Australian COVID-19 events.

In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australians were urged to stay at home where possible to reduce the risk of transmission. While pregnant women are not listed by the Australian Government Department of Health as a medium or high risk group for COVID-19 (DoH 2020), RANZCOG consider pregnant women a vulnerable group, and advised pregnant women take precautions and follow government guidance on physical distancing and hygiene measures (RANZCOG 2020).

Shutdowns and service disruptions during this period may have affected the ability of pregnant women to attend face-to-face antenatal care visits. Additionally, because of personal safety concerns, women may have opted not to attend face-to-face appointments, as health advice encouraged avoiding public spaces except for the essential purposes (RANZCOG 2020; RCOG 2020). On 13 March 2020, the Australian Government added services to the MBS to cover antenatal services delivered via telehealth (DoH 2020b).

A global perspective

International reporting raised concerns that COVID-19 and associated service disruptions could contribute to changes in pregnancy outcomes, including change to stillbirth and pre-term birth rates, and risks to mothers’ wellbeing (Casadio et al. 2020; CDC 2020; KC et al. 2020; Khalil 2020; Kumari et al. 2020; UNICEF et al. 2020; RCOG 2020; WHO 2020). However, other international investigations reported COVID-19 mitigation measures may have assisted in managing potential adverse pregnancy outcomes such as reduced preterm rates (Been et al. 2020; Hedermann et al. 2020; Phillip et al. 2020). These reports demonstrate the complex effects of COVID-19 and associated response efforts on mothers and babies.

The impacts of COVID-19 on outcomes for Australian mothers and babies is currently unknown, and will be explored in the future once data is available through the National Perinatal Data Collection.

Figure 1: Key COVID-19 dates 2020

This figure provides a short overview of key dates relating to the Australian response to the COVID-19 pandemic from December 2019 through to September 2020. The first case was identified in Australia on 25 January 2020. On 23 March 2020 Australia had stage 1 shutdowns. On the 8 May the Australian Government released the three stage plan out of lockdown. On 2 August a state of disaster was declared in Victoria.

Chart: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Sources:

  • Australian Government. 2020. News and Updates. Australian Government. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • Acting Chief Medical Officer & ABC Radio National. 2 November 2020. Acting Chief Medical Officer Interview on ABC Radio National on 2 November 2020 (transcript). Australian Government Department of Health.
  • DoH (Australian Government Department of Health). 2020a. First confirmed case of novel coronavirus in Australia. Canberra: DoH. Viewed 9 December 2020
  • Minister for Health and Aged Care. 26 April 2020. Press conference about COVIDSafe app launch (transcript). Department of Health. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • NSW Health. 17 December 2020. NSW public health alert – Northern Beaches. NSW Government. Viewed 21 April 2021
  • Premier of Victoria. 30 June 2020. Statement from the Premier. Premier of Victoria. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • Premier of Victoria. 7 July 2020. Statement from the Premier. Premier of Victoria. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • Premier of Victoria. 2 August 2020. Statement on changes to Melbourne’s restrictions. Premier of Victoria. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • Premier of Victoria. 6 September 2020. Statement from the Premier. Premier of Victoria. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • Premier of Victoria. 27 September 2020. Statement from the Premier. Premier of Victoria. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • Premier of Victoria. 26 October 2020. Statement from the Premier. Premier of Victoria. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • Prime Minister. 27 February 2020. Untitled press conference – Australian Parliament House, 27 February 2020 (Transcript) Prime Minister of Australia.
  • Prime Minister, Minister for Health, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians & Minister for Youth and Sport. 11 March 2020. $2.4 Billion Health Plan to Fight COVID-19. Prime Minister of Australia. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • Prime Minister, Minister for Health & Chief Medical Officer. 13 March 2020. Advice on Coronavirus. Prime Minister of Australia. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women & Minister for Home Affairs. 19 March 2020. Border Restrictions. Prime Minister of Australia. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • Prime Minister. 22 March 2020. Update on Coronavirus Measures. Prime Minister of Australia. Viewed 24 December 2020
  • WHO (World Health Organization). 2020. Timeline: WHO’s COVID-19 response. Geneva: WHO. Viewed 09 December 2020
     
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