The Prime Ministers announcement today informed us that those at greater risk from the effects of Covid 19 should avoid unnecessary contact with people, and be vigilant about the measures needed to protect themselves from Covid-19. It appears from the governments Covid-19 website that pregnant women are considered to be in the ‘at risk’ category. However this is at odds with what is stated on the Ministry of Health (MOH) website.

The College has been in contact with the MOH today to seek further clarification about what this means in practical terms, regarding the advice that midwives should be giving pregnant women.

As you can appreciate this is a rapidly changing situation, and in the absence of definitive guidance, we all need to use our common sense and be advising pregnant women to minimise unnecessary contact as much as possible.

As further information or clarification becomes available, we will be informing members immediately.

The Level 2 Alert announced today affects all of us, we all need to be minimising unnecessary contact and be hyper vigilant with measures to minimise transmission.

We are aware that what this latest announcement means in practical terms for midwives in terms of the routine care midwives provide women needs more detailed guidance and consideration. We are working as hard as we can to make that available to members. As you can appreciate this is an unprecedented situation and we urge you all to use your common sense and best judgement for each specific situation in the meantime.