Family planning and abortion services in COVID 19 pandemic.
Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol
; 59(6): 808-811, 2020 Nov.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-752809
ABSTRACT
Many routine and elective services have already been postponed or suspended by both Government and private setups in most parts of the world because of the unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19. Healthcare systems everywhere in the world are under pressure. Being a component of essential health services, family planning and abortion services should continue to cater the population in order to prevent the complications arising from unintended pregnancies and sudden rise in STIs. Due to airborne nature of transmission of the virus, it is advisable for all consultations relating to family planning services to be done remotely unless and until visit is absolutely necessary. Contraception initiation and continuation can be done by telemedicine in most individuals. Post partum contraception can be advised before discharge from hospital. In an individual planning for pregnancy, currently it is not advisable to discontinue contraceptive and plan for pregnancy as not much is known about the effect of the virus on foetal development. Also, pregnancy requires routine antenatal and peripartum care and complications arising from pregnancy may necessitate frequent hospital visits, exposing the individual to the risk of infection. Abortion services are time sensitive therefore should not be denied or delayed beyond legal limit. We need to change from real to virtual consultation to prevent the rise in unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and unsafe abortions.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
/
Abortion, Induced
/
Telemedicine
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Family Planning Services
/
Pandemics
Type of study:
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Language:
English
Journal:
Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol
Journal subject:
Gynecology
/
Obstetrics
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.tjog.2020.09.005
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