The Healers: Childbirth and Covid-19

“Barring the ongoing duties, my interaction with Covid patients was minimal during the first wave. However, during the second wave, there was a triggering point that compelled me to do more as a doctor. I was contacted by the family of an 8-month-old pregnant woman, who had tested positive, to help them secure a hospital bed for her. No beds were available in their city, and they desperately needed oxygen for the patient. Thankfully, I was able to secure one. The doctors deemed her conditions stable so that she could be transferred. But her condition deteriorated during the commute, and we lost both the mother and the baby. It was the tipping point for me, and I decided that I had to get more involved to manage the overwhelming number of cases that we were witnessing during the second wave.

In collaboration with other hospitals, I developed a special Covid ward for pregnant women. Being an obstetrician, I am aware of the complications associated with women who test positive for Covid during their pregnancy and unlike many people, they cannot be treated in their home. But in addition to my duties as a doctor, I also was extremely empowered by social media; I created an Instagram page to educate people and spread awareness. I personally believe that the current spread of the disease is less because of people’s carelessness but more because they are not well educated or aware.