Coronavirus: Expectant mothers receive unexpected news amid outbreak

Between possible concerns to their health, and forced cancellation of appointments to comply with social distancing, coronavirus is having a real impact on the lives of pregnant mothers in the Miami Valley.

Dr. David McKenna, a specialist in maternal medicine at Premier Health, says there is no data at this point to suggest the virus causes problems for a developing baby.

This did not stop Governor DeWine, however, from urging pregnant mothers to stay at home in a press conference on Monday. He equated their situation to that of senior citizens, calling them “compromised.”

Pregnant women do suffer from a lowered immune system due to carrying a child, so they themselves could be at a higher risk for the virus.

“I haven’t left my house since hearing that on Monday,” soon-to-be mother Cassi Apple told News Center 7. “That terrified me.”

In addition to this fear, expectant mothers are dealing with the reality that their routine OBGYN appointments could be canceled, to comply with the governor’s order for social distancing.

Throughout the week, DeWine has urged doctors across the Miami Valley to refrain from ‘non-essential’ visits with patients.

Dr. McKenna says OBGYN’s in the area are looking carefully at each case to determine the necessity of each appointment, and how long each patient can realistically go without one.

Apple is among those not only accepting the cancellation of ultrasounds and check-ups, but other exciting pregnancy events, like her baby shower.

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“We’re not sure if an online one would even work out,” she says. “Because Amazon is only shipping out essential items.”

That being said, her pregnancy is still an exciting time, regardless of sharing the period with a Coronavirus outbreak.

“I’m just accepting the unknown, and focusing on what I can control...and what’s best for baby,” she says. “And right now, that’s staying home.”