Maternity services at hospitals in the Calgary zone are being consolidated as health officials continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alberta Health Services said Thursday that as of April 21, High River Hospital and the South Health Campus would no longer be offering obstetrical and neonatal care.
Patients would instead be directed to the Foothills Medical Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre and Rockyview General Hospital.
“AHS must ensure there is appropriate space and resources to handle the anticipated surge in COVID-19 patients,” AHS said in a news release.
Women’s health and outpatient clinics at both the South Health Campus and High River Hospital remain open, AHS said.
The health authority said for the duration of the pandemic, services normally offered at the South Health Campus will be shared between the Peter Lougheed Centre and the Foothills.
High River Hospital services will relocate to the Rockyview General Hospital.
Patients scheduled to deliver their babies at either South Health or High River hospitals are being contacted by their obstetricians, midwives or primary care networks, to make arrangements to deliver at the other designated hospitals.
“Families will continue to receive the full services of physicians, midwives and staff as they follow through with their birth plans throughout the pandemic response,” AHS said.
The health authority said hospitals remain safe for both mothers and babies, and encourage expectant mothers set to have a baby during the pandemic to follow plans made by their caregivers.
Earlier on Thursday, AHS confirmed a “small number” of staff working at a maternity ward at the Foothills had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, said seven staff members on the ward were diagnosed with the virus.
Officials said there was no patient transmission and no risk posed to those coming to the ward.
‘It’s a little stressful’
Expecting a baby in the midst of a pandemic is unsettling, and Meg Roberts doesn’t want any of that stress to induce early labor, so the High River mother is trying to keep grounded, staying occupied with her 19-month-old son, Niko.
“The information is constantly changing. I’m trying not to get stuck on any details because it changes, so it’s a little stressful,” Roberts said.
One of those details is a change in location for her planned delivery. She’s due June 29 and anticipated giving birth to baby number two in the High River Hospital, a facility she can see from her front door.
“It was going to be an easy walk when I was in labour,” Roberts said.
But instead, she is a little anxious about now having to factor in a possible 45-minute drive to Rockyview General Hospital, something she already went through with Niko.
With visitor limitations at all area hospitals, she is left wondering who will be allowed in the delivery room.
“The biggest worry for me is not being allowed to have spouses in the room, so how that might affect our support while we are in labour,” Roberts said.
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