Response to concerns about the use of delivery table shield in the vaginal delivery of the pregnant women with suspected/diagnosed COVID-19.

We would like to thank Ornaghi and colleagues for their interest in our article. The authors expressed their concerns that the delivery table shield may have a negative impact on the psychology, mobility, and breathing of pregnant women during delivery. However, as mentioned in our study, it was only used in the second stage of labor wherein the mothers were pushing their babies. Because of its unique design, it allows the mothers to maintain eye contact with healthcare professionals. In addition, as shown in the figures of the article, the delivery table shield has an opening at the posterior, and it poses no barrier for respiration. Ankara City Hospital is a mother- and baby-friendly hospital that effectively supports comfort of pregnant women during labor and delivery. Various alternative management strategies such as water birth, implementation of different maternal pushing positions, continuous companionship of healthcare professionals, and use of pilates balls have been successfully performed for years at our institution. In addition, we strongly encourage skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding.

Healthcare workers around the world have been working under extremely tough conditions to fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Many of them contracted the disease, and some of them lost their lives during this period. Ankara City Hospital has also been working as an active pandemic center since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Turkey. We have managed more than 150 cases and performed more than 70 deliveries so far. Approximately one-third of these deliveries were performed vaginally. During this period, we realized the necessity for practical protective equipment that may be used during the second stage of labor to encourage vaginal delivery. Moreover, patients felt great anxiety for the risk of transmitting the virus to their babies. Thus, we designed a delivery table shield. The delivery table shield was used after giving the patients comprehensive information. Informed consent was obtained from the patients, and the delivery table shield was only used with the patients’ approval. Both mothers and healthcare staff were satisfied with the delivery table shield. Patients expressed that they felt their babies will be safer during delivery. We are now working on a questionnaire-based survey to assess the objective satisfaction of patients and healthcare professionals. The delivery table shield has been used in 10 different centers in our country with positive comments. In conclusion, the delivery table shield may be safely used against all respiratory-borne infections including COVID-19.