Page 48 - Retail Pharmacy Assistants - October 2020

46 PRE AND POSTNATAL FROM PAGE 44 Dr Moffrey agrees, adding that even “if someone is infected with Covid-19, we’re still encouraging them to breastfeed”. “There’s some evidence that shows antibodies passed in breastmilk ... so we’re still encouraging them to breastfeed, because that’s actually beneficial to the baby if the mother has Covid,” he said, adding that the only difference now is recommending that the mum wears a mask “with that close contact with their baby”. Dr Jacobson agrees, saying “breastfeeding is still encouraged, even if mum is Covid-19 positive”. “Baby is more likely to become infected from close contact with mum than from the breastmilk,” he said. “Therefore, mum should take additional precautions with extra handwashing and possibly wearing a mask during breastfeeding.” Mr Quigley says that although it’s early days, “at this stage there doesn’t seem to be any clear link between breastfeeding and the risk of a Covid-19 infection”. The message pharmacies should be spreading Dr Moffrey says pharmacy staff can “reassure mums that they don’t need to be too concerned if, unfortunately, they catch Covid-19”. “But they should be doing all their standard precautions, such as social distancing and handwashing, and in the current climate, I’d even be encouraging masks, \\\[especially\\\] if they’re in places where they can’t effectively social distance, such as public transport or restaurants. “I’d also be suggesting that they can reassure them as well that if they do the best they can with keeping a healthy immune system and a healthy pregnancy, they shouldn’t have too many problems.” Reassuring pregnant women and new mums is one of the most important roles of pharmacy during this pandemic, Mr Quigley says. “We need to reinforce reassurance,” he said. “When you look at pregnancy and childbirth ... the focus should be on the time of joy, not worrying about things that haven’t happened that put a damper on the time of enjoyment. “And I think that’s, once again, the role of the pharmacists, and pharmacy is a place of reassurance and guidance – this is more important than ever. It’s always been important but at the moment it’s more important than ever. “Guidance – you know, you walk in and there might be six different pregnancy and breastfeeding supplement brands ... which ones are best. Those sorts of things pharmacy staff should be confident in suggesting, and if they have any questions, of course, they should be directed to the pharmacist who should be able to confidently give the answer. “There’s a fear – a lot of it is media driven – that we just need to harness and not let that take away the joy of new parenthood. That’s where a calm pharmacist can make a difference.” Mr Narsey adds that his pharmacy team is reinforcing the “importance of maintaining proper hygiene protocols”. “\\\[So\\\], wearing a mask when we’re out and about in public, and just general maintenance of hygiene,” he said. “And also continuing on with their supplementation as well, especially their pregnancy supplementation. “\\\[In terms of hygiene measure and precautions\\\], I’d be adhering to the government guidelines, which are already stringent \\\[in Melbourne\\\]. We’re reinforcing this message of safety and being super clean and supporting your immune system, to everyone that walks into the store.” Speaking to the role of pharmacy, Dr Jacobson added: “Retail pharmacies should be practising appropriate CovidSafe policies to keep their customers safe, and reinforce the message of hand sanitising and social distancing. General advice regarding diet, exercise, folic acid, iron and vitamin D supplements should \\\[also\\\] be discussed.” RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • OCT 2020