Indications for caesarean section
The determination of mode of delivery should be based on obstetric indications. However, the safety of vaginal birth, cesarean section or other methods in the context of COVID-19 infection has yet been confirmed [6]. Nevertheless, senior obstetricians in Wuhan suggest two recommendations:
1. During the current period of emergency [7], the indications for caesarean section for women with COVID-19 infection should be applied flexibly and the threshold for Caesarean section lowered;
2. In particular, the threshold for caesarean section on the basis of delay in the first stage of labour should be lowered;
These suggestions are aimed at reducing maternal in-patient stays, minimizing the chance of cross-infection, reducing maternal physical exertion during delivery and ensuring the safety of other postnatal women, newborns and health care workers. There are currently very few COVID-19 infected pregnant women, thus a lowered threshold for caesarean section will not significantly increase the overall caesarean section rate.