Invercargill midwife Kathy Harrington

05/04/2023

Hi everyone, just a reminder to get your whooping cough vaccine.

15/09/2022

Change in visitor restrictions //

From today visitor restrictions at Dunedin and Southland hospitals will change.

- There will no longer be a restriction of two visitors per patient per stay.

- All visitors will still be required to wear a mask when visiting people in hospital.

- Please do not visit if you have any cold or flu like symptoms.

Visiting hours:

- Visiting hours are currently 2pm to 6pm.

- From Monday 19th September visiting hours will change to 2pm to 8pm

You can find more information here: https://www.southernhealth.nz/COVID19/hospital-services

28/04/2022

For most pēpi (babies) COVID-19 generally has mild effects.

Often, they will have no symptoms or may have cold like symptoms, sore throat, or a cough which can sound like croup. Some children get conjunctivitis, fever, a rash, or a tummy upset with vomiting and diarrhoea.

Very young babies under 1 month old, premature children under 2 years old, and those who have other chronic health concerns are more at risk of serious illness.

If your child has COVID-19 and is very unwell, having difficulty breathing or drinking less than half their normal amount, seek urgent medical help.

Here are some tips for caring for pēpi with COVID-19.

➡️ Isolate pēpi away from others as much as possible
COVID-19 spreads easily, but there are a few things you can do that may protect others in the house from catching it. If you can, look after them in another part of the house, and use a separate bathroom if you have one.

Follow healthy habits like handwashing, wearing masks, opening windows, and regularly cleaning surfaces. If possible, have adults and older children wear masks when in the same room as the baby, especially anyone who is high-risk.

➡️ Manage their symptoms
See what symptoms you can expect: https://covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/about-covid-19/covid-19-symptoms/

• Keep up their fluids. Offer small amounts frequently.
• Keep them comfortable, in a room that is not too hot or cold.
• If they have a fever, dress them in just one layer and use a warm cloth to wipe their forehead.
• If they are uncomfortable with pain, you can offer paracetamol for pēpi over 3 months old/over 5kgs. Make sure you check the dose with their GP or pharmacist first. Get advice from your doctor before giving ibuprofen to babies under 2 years old.
• Young babies (less than 3 months old) need a more cautious approach. If you are worried about them, call your healthcare team straight away.
• Record their symptoms so you can easily let your healthcare team know their history if needed.

You can find more advice on caring for younger children from Health Navigator here: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/c/covid-19-positive-caring-for-your-child-at-home/

They can go back to normal activities, like playgroup or daycare, when their isolation has finished if their fever and symptoms have settled, and they are back to feeding and behaving normally. Seek medical advice if you are concerned that they are becoming more unwell or have had a fever for 5 days.

08/11/2021

18/10/2021

RANZCOG have produced a number of informative videos, here midwife Shekinah Gafa and her mother, obstetrician Dr Karaponi Okesene-Gafa talk about the vaccine during pregnancy. https://fb.watch/8EoN9wp-EA/

04/06/2021

That’s the comment from New Zealand College of Midwives co-founder, Karen Guilliland, at the start of the short film released today by Frank Film, and already viewed by more than **4000 people.

25/02/2021

Days away from giving birth after a high-risk pregnancy, Kiki Van Newtown has experienced first-hand the dire state of our maternal health services. She’s calling on the government to take urgent action. It’s late on the maternity ward at Wellington Hospital, and I’m curled onto a couch at the...

19/07/2020

09/06/2020

Well we are finally at level 1. As far as the hospital goes they are still restricting support to one person but that will hopefully change later this week. They are also going to be keeping visiting hours to 2-8 pm so please let your family know.
You will still be screened for covid 19 but not at the front entrance, this will be done in the ward.
Hopefully everything will be back to normal soon but please bear with the staff during this transition.

10/04/2020

“Sure you were only a baby” I’ll tell her when she asks,
About that time in photographs when everyone wore masks.
“You don’t remember the chaos when the world was forced to rest.”
“You had all you needed in my arms and at my breast”

“You never even noticed” I’ll tell her then I’ll say,
“I held you as the weeks went by, we took it day by day”
“We were safe and happy, right where we needed to be”.
“I fed you snuggled in my arms, protecting you was key”.

“You were only a tiny baby” I’ll tell her and explain,
Why so many people were afraid, anxious and in pain.
“It wasn’t always easy, those isolating newborn days,
But feeding you flooded me with love, got me through the haze”.

“You were a lockdown baby” I’ll tell her when it’s time,
“I was your whole world back then, just as you were mine”,
“And now, though it’s just a memory, I still smile when I see,
A rainbow in a window, put there for you and me.”

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01/04/2020

How can I stay safe if I'm pregnant?

Health experts don't yet know if pregnant people are impacted by COVID-19 in the same way as other people. However, pregnancy can cause changes in your body that may increase the risk from some infections. If you are pregnant you should follow the advice for vulnerable people.

1. Advice for vulnerable people

People who are vulnerable are advised to take more precautions to protect themselves against all infections, including COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with people with cold or flu-like illnesses.

• Cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing.

• Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap and dry them thoroughly, before eating or handling food, after using the toilet, after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping children’s noses or after caring for sick people.

• Stay at home, and ask others to pick up supplies for you. You just need to ask them to leave these at the door, rather than come in.

• Stay at least two metres away from people who are unwell.

• If you're unwell, avoid contact with someone who is immune-compromised.

• Follow any other specific health advice from your health care provider or lead maternity carer (LMC).

More advice for vulnerable people: https://covid19.govt.nz/help-and-advice/for-everyone/vulnerable-people/

2. Midwives and hospitals
Your midwife/LMC is an essential health service. You will still be primarily looked after by them and they will coordinate hospital services as necessary. They'll be changing the way they work to minimise physical contact and keep you and themselves safe. This means more phone/video appointments, but they will still see you face-to-face when needed. You may also be unable to take a support person to appointments e.g. scans and obstetrician visits. Call and check before you go.

Hospitals and birthing centres may have new rules for support people during labour, ask your midwife about the current situation at the unit or hospital you've chosen. Many maternity hospitals are now also limiting visitors following birth and in most cases you won't be allowed any visitors during your postnatal stay. These rules may change over the coming weeks as the situation changes so be prepared for updates.

Make sure you keep talking to your midwife about any concerns or questions you have, they're here to support you.

Have a read of the advice from the New Zealand College of Midwives: https://www.midwife.org.nz/midwives/covid-19/covid-19-information-for-women/

3. Breastfeeding advice
People who wish to breastfeed their babies should be encouraged and supported to do so. At the moment there's no evidence that the virus is carried in breastmilk and the well-recognised benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of COVID-19 through breastmilk.

If you're infected with COVID-19 you shouldn't be automatically separated from your baby, but should take extra precautions.

Have a read of the advice from the Royal Aust & NZ College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists RANZCOG: https://ranzcog.edu.au/statements-guidelines/covid-19-statement

4. Working in essential services while pregnant
If you're concerned about your risk while working in essential services, it's best to play it safe and discuss this with your employer. Employers should allow employees to work from home if they can, and start other alternative ways of working.

For more information as an employee visit https://www.employment.govt.nz/about/news-and-updates/workplace-response-coronavirus-covid-19

5. Getting support
Reach out to your friends and family if you need support at this time.

If you feel you're not coping, or need someone to talk to, you can call or text 1737 – free, anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – to talk with a trained counsellor.

Keep in touch with your midwife/LMC and stay safe.

01/04/2020

31/03/2020

Information for pregnant women, or those who have recently given birth, about COVID-19.

26/03/2020

Hi guys, just an update about COVID19 and how this will impact you.
A few important things from the hospital, please do not go to the hospital without ringing me first. If you are not in labour you will not be allowed a support person with you. In labor you can have 1 designated support person but that person must stay with you at all times. If they leave they will not be allowed back in.
When you come in please bring everything you will need as again once someone leaves they cannot come back in. This means bring your car seat as well.
At present anyone needing a caesarean is unable to have a support person with them. I know this is hard but we are all doing our best to keep everyone safe. You must come in through the main entrance and you will be screened before entry. If your support person is sick they will not be able to come in.
If you have suspected or tested COVID19 your care will be transferred to the hospital as we are not able to care for you in this situation.
Once again please ring me for any questions or concerns.
Stay at home and stay safe.

25/03/2020

Even in the best of times caring for a new baby can be overwhelming.  In these unprecedented times it’s that much harder again.  Alongside all the usual worries new mothers now have extra burdens most of us had never anticipated even a few weeks ago. 

24/03/2020

We continue to work through what this period of self isolation means to you as a pregnant woman or a woman with a new baby. I will be ringing you before your appointment to decide if a visit is necessary or if a phone consultation will be enough. This will change from woman to woman and will depend on individual needs. Please let me know if you are unwell (have a fever or cough, or shortness of breath, or a sore throat)or have had any contact with a suspected or confirmed or probable COVID19 in the last 14 days.
As always I am available by phone if you have any concerns
Thank you for your co operation
Kathy