A number of postnatal care centers have installed cameras at each crib to allow family members to watch new additions to the family online in real-time. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 13 (Korea Bizwire) — The coronavirus pandemic is having a significant impact on traditional newborn care practices as postnatal care centers have banned entry of all family members.
Previously, mothers staying at these centers were able to be accompanied by their husband or one of their family members.
Now, however, family members are not allowed to stay with the mothers. Only after two weeks of recuperation, when they are typically discharged, are they allowed to meet with their families.
As an alternative, a number of postnatal care centers have installed cameras at each crib to allow family members to watch new additions to the family online in real-time.
In addition, social distancing measures have been introduced to separate mothers from each other to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
As such, mothers are placed away from each other in cafeterias and other collective facilities at these centers.
In the past, it was normal for mothers to gather and share experiences on childbirth and caring for children.
“YouTube offers a lot of information, so it’s not too much of a big deal,” said one of the mothers.
“Postnatal care centers have no other choice but to maintain high-level quarantine policies until the coronavirus situation ends. We expect that such trends will continue for some time,” said a source from the Korea Postpartum Association.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
