SA Health says all pregnant women with Covid must give birth at Flinders, causing concern for regions

All pregnant women with Covid must now give birth at Flinders – prompting fears for expectant mums in regional SA.

Pregnant women in the public system have been told they must give birth or receive other hospital care at Flinders Medical Centre if they test positive to Covid-19.

The SA Health edict applies to women who are more than 16 weeks along.

Private hospitals can choose what they do but are unlikely to have capacity to deal with Covid-positive patients.

Announcing the arrangement on its Facebook page, SA Health said if a woman was less than 16 weeks pregnant and has pregnancy-related complications, they would receive care in their local area or with their peri-natal provider.

It said in some situations, a woman may be cared for or deliver their baby at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital if clinically required.

Any Covid-positive pregnant women who has mild or no symptoms can isolate at home.

The Facebook post attracted more than 600 comments, with many people raising concerns about pregnant women in regional SA.

“Some will stay home and put themselves (and) bubs at risk or call ambulance (and) delivery en route,” one person wrote.

Another described the move as “very unsafe” while another accused SA Health of ignoring the needs of the regions.

“Sorry? I thought this was SA Health not Adelaide Health. Once again regional areas appear not to matter or non-existent. What a disgrace!”

However, others accepted the decision.

“I already travel several hours for ultrasounds and appointments so travelling a bit further doesn’t bother me as long as bub and I are alive at the end,” one woman wrote.

The Australian Medical Association SA branch defended the policy, saying it would help contain the spread of Covid-19 if pregnant women were seen in the one hospital.

State president Dr Michelle Atchison said the policy was “about protecting our health system”.

“We have to keep cases contained as much as possible,” she said. “Spreading (cases) through hospitals is not a sensible idea.”

SA Health said in a statement that FMC was “well equipped” to receive Covid-positive pregnant patients.

“While we will follow these guidelines, as always we treat patients on a case-by-case basis,” it said.

It did not respond to questions about any transport provisions that would be in place to assist people coming from regional SA.