ABSTRACT
Objective:
To assess the repercussions of SARS-CoV-2 infection (suspected or confirmed) and the context of the pandemic on the birth route and humanized assistance during childbirth.
Method:
Cross-sectional epidemiological study, nested within a cohort and comparative with the research “Birth in Belo Horizonte: Survey on Childbirth and Delivery”.The medical records of three reference maternity hospitals in Belo Horizonte were assessed, with a final sample of 1,682 pregnant women, in the months of May, June and July 2020. A descriptive analysis was carried out, with absolute and relative frequency, and a comparative one, with a Pearson’s chi-square test.
Results:
It was observed that 2.02% of pregnant women were infected with SARS-CoV-2.Before the pandemic, out of a total of 390 pregnant women, 74.10% gave birth vaginally.During a pandemic, among infected women, 51.61% gave birth via cesarean section and 48,39% via vaginal delivery;among uninfected, 26.99% cesarean sections and 73.01% vaginaldeliveries.
Conclusion:
There was an increase in the percentage of cesarean sections and a possible influence of the pandemic on the rates of indication of cesarean sections at the time of admission to the maternity ward.
Descriptors:
COVID-19; Pregnancy; Parturition; Cesarean section; Natural childbirth