Optimization of Antenatal Care Services for the COVID-19 Pandemic Era in Indonesia
Gusriani (a*), Khalidatul Anwar (b) , Suriani (c), Nuryaqin (d), Sitti Mukarramah (e), Jumrah (f)

a. Midwifery Department Faculty of Health Sciences Borneo Tarakan University, Indonesia
*rhyagusriani68[at]gmail.com
b.Midwifery Department, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Kendari, Indonesia
c. Midwifery Department, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Makassar, Indonesia
d. Midwifery Department, Minasa Upa Midwifery Academy Makassar, Indonesia
e. Midwifery Department, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Makassar, Indonesia
f. Midwifery Department, Mega Rezky University Makassar, Indonesia

Abstract

Antenatal Care Examination (ANC) is a comprehensive examination to optimize the mental and physical health of pregnant women as an effort to suppress and reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in Indonesia. The existence of the COVID-19 pandemic since early March 2020 has resulted in restrictions on the number of visits by pregnant women to health facilities and changes in antenatal care services. This study aims to determine the optimization of prenatal care services for pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic from midwives at various health centers in Indonesia. This research is a descriptive study with qualitative methods. Data collection was carried out by in-depth interviews and secondary data. The number of subjects as many as 12 people from Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sulawesi, NTT, Ambon and Papua. The research subjects were midwives who were active and had worked for more than five years at the Puskesmas until the time the research was conducted. The results showed (1) There was a decrease in antenatal care visits following the appeal of the ministry of health and changes to online services and home visits, (2) Obstacles in providing prenatal care services were the limited number of personal protective equipment (PPE) at the onset of the pandemic and mothers dishonest pregnant women regarding their contact history and complaints, (3) Efforts to overcome the limitations of PPE are carried out by using raincoats as a substitute for hazmat suits and making a face shield independently by midwives. The conclusion in this study is that midwives from various regions in Indonesia are still trying to provide optimal service to pregnant women with multiple limitations through the spirit of serving and creativity.

Keywords: Antenat care; COVID-19; Midwifery

Topic: Maternal, neonatal, and child health