It’s impossible to administer an ultrasound examination while “social distancing,” but care providers at the University of Michigan are taking steps to limit personal contact by altering the schedule for prenatal care for low risk pregnancies.

“We have three key recommendations for patients receiving routine prenatal care: Limit clinic visits to those that require in-person services (like ultrasounds and lab tests); encourage virtual visits for care that can be done remotely; provide support to pregnant women creatively,” says Michigan Medicine obstetrician, gynecologist and researcher Alex Peahl, M.D.

Specifically, because of COVID-19, in-person prenatal care at Michigan Medicine has now been reduced to an initial prenatal visit, an anatomy ultrasound, and the 28-, 36-, and 39-week visits. All labs will be conducted during these visits, rather than in a separate appointment as is sometimes done.

Read more from Michigan Medicine Health Lab.