It seems as if COVID-19 is changing the way we do everything. Something as simple as taking your baby in for her checkups or keeping up with a vaccine schedule becomes overwhelming choices of what is the best thing to do. Moms need to understand the risks and alternatives to traditional health care to ensure their baby (and entire family) remain healthy during this pandemic.
Should I keep up with scheduled vaccinations during the pandemic?
How to prepare for the doctor visit
There are some conditions and illnesses where you can’t avoid going to an actual doctor’s office or emergency room. This could be for an acute injury such as your child fell and broke his arm; in this instance, a doctor will need to set the fracture and place the arm in a cast.
If you do need to take your child to the doctor, you’ll want to make sure you take some precautions to reduce overall exposure:
- Set an appointment: If possible, don’t just show up to an emergency room where you will wait for an undetermined amount of time around people whose health condition you are unaware of.
- Show up on time: While most doctors appreciate people being early for appointments, don’t show up too early so that you are congregating.
- Avoid things in the waiting room: The fewer things you come in contact with, the less your exposure is. This might include not sitting in chairs, reading magazines, or letting your child play with the puzzles.
- Wear masks: Both you and your child should be wearing face masks to reduce exposure. However, the CDC cautions that, "Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2," as well as those who are having trouble breathing, are unconscious, incapacitated, or cannot remove the mask without assistance.
- Use hand sanitizier: You'll be touching pens, doorknobs, and a myriad of other things. Bring sanitizer with you.
- Go straight home: Limit exposure and get home. If you need a prescription, ask your doctor to call it in ahead of time and make sure it is ready before you go in and have to wait.
Doctors are prepared to help patients get the medical attention they need while dealing with the pandemic. Whether you are using telemedicine or going in, use common sense and a healthy dose of precaution to keep you and your child safe.
