From September 2020 to October 2022, 137 pregnant women at 22-41 weeks of gestation were hospitalized in specialized beds. In 20% of pregnant women, the general condition at hospitalization was considered “severe”. Respiratory failure of І-ІІІ degree was observed in almost 25% of hospitalized patients. Bilateral polysegmental pneumonia was diagnosed by ultrasound in 46%, and severe lung damage was diagnosed in 34% of pregnant women.
In resuscitation conditions caused by viral lung inflammation, in case of connection to a ventilator, it is important to place the patient in the prone position – face down position, “lying on the stomach”, which ensures the movement of pulmonary blood flow and better ventilation of the lung zone. However, the supine position is not recommended for pregnant women in the II-III trimesters, as the full weight of the woman presses on the fetus, which is dangerous for the preservation of pregnancy and fetal condition.
A significant role in overcoming the total consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine belongs to the Bogomolets National Medical University. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology #3 headed by Prof. Vasyl Benyuk has made a significant contribution to the fight against coronavirus during pregnancy and in labor. Since the announcement of the epidemic situation in the capital city, temporarily repurposed beds have been created at the clinical base of the department in Kyiv City Maternity Hospital No. 3 to provide obstetric care to pregnant women, labor and delivery women infected with COVID-19.
From September 2020 to October 2022, 137 pregnant women at 22-41 weeks of gestation were hospitalized in specialized beds. In 20% of pregnant women, the general condition at hospitalization was considered “severe”.
Respiratory failure of I-II degrees was observed in almost 25% of hospitalized patients.
Bilateral polisegmental pneumonia was diagnosed by ultrasound in 46% and severe lung damage in 34% of pregnant women.
In resuscitation conditions caused by viral lung inflammation, in case of connection to a ventilator, it is important to place the patient in the prone position – face down position, “lying on the stomach”, which ensures the movement of pulmonary blood flow and better ventilation of the lung zone. However, the supine position is not recommended for pregnant women in the II-III trimesters, as the full weight of the woman presses on the fetus, which is dangerous for the preservation of pregnancy and fetal condition.
In order to do this without harming the fetus and the woman, on the initiative of Prof. Vasyl Benyuk, the staff of the department and Kyiv City Maternity Hospital No. 3, N.M. Gichka, T.R. Nikonyuk, T.G. Petrenko, and V.V. Fomenko, invented a simple but very effective accessory – a positioner for pregnant women (patent utility model No. 149674 of 24.11.21). Fomenko invented a simple but very effective accessory – a positioner for pregnant women (Patent for useful model No. 149674 dated 24.11.21).
What is it and how does it work?
The positioner is made in the form of a U-shaped cushion and consists of a protective fabric case with ties at the free ends and along the inner circumference and filled with polystyrene foam balls.
Unlike the known maternity pillows, the case of the positioner is made of protective fabric, the qualitative characteristics of which meet the requirements of the Technical Regulations for medical devices and provide the possibility of current disinfection with the use of disinfectants.
The presence of ties at the free ends of the positioner and along the inner circumference allows adjusting the size of the internal opening of the positioner to the size of the pregnant woman’s abdomen in the II-III trimesters of pregnancy, which is extremely important. Versatile and high-quality polystyrene foam filling of the positioner prevents moisture absorption, does not cause allergic reactions, free air circulation in it prevents the development and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms and mites. Small polystyrene foam balls when pressed easily move and perfectly adapt to the curves of the body, in particular, the abdomen, which is extremely necessary for pregnant women in the II-III trimester in the case of providing pron – position, for storage in pron – position.
The head of the department, Professor Vasyl Benyuk, comments that this invention has proved so useful that it has started to be used in other resuscitation situations when a pregnant woman needs to be pron-positioned.
The useful model created at the department can be used for treatment and prevention of acute respiratory distress syndrome in pregnant women, viral pneumonias, in particular caused by COVID-19, pneumonias of other etiology and various inflammatory diseases of respiratory organs, accompanied by the lesion of the posterior parts of both lungs, by providing reliable and safe pron-position by women in II-III trimesters of pregnancy in the conditions of maternity wards and intensive care and intensive care units of obstetric hospitals.
