The number one question on most expecting parents’ minds these days is: “Is it safe to deliver my baby in a hospital?”
Kathy Goetz, Market Vice President of Women’s Services and Children’s Hospital at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center says, “Yes, it is absolutely safe to deliver in the hospital despite COVID-19. The likelihood of a patient acquiring the coronavirus during a hospital stay is extremely low.”
Safety is the top priority at MercyOne. They have all the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), screening, and testing in place at all of their care facilities. They clean and disinfect high touch surfaces to prevent transmission of the virus following the CDC’s standards for COVID-19 safety. MercyOne is here for you and is committed to keeping you safe. Below are answers to some of the questions expecting mothers and families may have during this time.
Do I have to be tested for COVID-19 before delivering? And what happens next?
To ensure the safety and well-being of patients and colleagues, MercyOne is testing all patients admitted to MercyOne Labor & Delivery for COVID-19, unless you have already been tested prior to a scheduled procedure (including induction and scheduled C-section) and have followed the self-isolating guidelines.
If you test negative for COVID-19 your scheduled procedure or delivery will move forward as planned.
If you test positive for COVID-19
In the event you are positive for COVID-19, MercyOne will educate you with the most current information they have to help you protect your newborn baby and reduce the chances of spread in your family and throughout our community. In order to reduce the risk of transmission from you to your baby, MercyOne follows the CDC guidelines which recommend separating baby from mom. They work with each mother to create a personalized plan to follow these guidelines while honoring each mother’s choices.
Am I allowed to have a support partner or visitors when I’m in the hospital?
The current visitor restrictions allow for a support partner or caregiver and a certified birthing doula during labor through discharge from the hospital. Currently, only one visitor is allowed into the hospital per patient per day. All support partners and visitors must be screened upon entry to the hospital and are required to wear a mask. Under normal circumstances, friends and family would love to visit your newest family member, but please consider using technology to stay connected to family and friends during your stay instead.
Please check the website or with your provider prior to delivery to see if visitor restrictions have changed since the release of this article.
How can I protect my infant when we go home?
MercyOne is encouraging mothers to be discharged from the hospital as soon as it is medically safe.
Although your friends and family will be anxious to meet your new baby, you should limit the baby’s exposure to as few people as possible.
Can I breastfeed?
There is no evidence that COVID-19 is in breast milk. Therefore, even if you are suspected or have COVID-19, you will still be encouraged to breastfeed. You will be instructed in the safest way to provide breast milk to your baby.
MercyOne is open for safe, personalized care. They are prepared to provide safe care for inpatient care and physician visits. In addition to in-person care, you can also continue to receive the quality care you need from your physician in the comfort of home with virtual visits.
Looking for more information on pregnancy, childbirth, and infancy? Visit MercyOne.org for valuable information to many new and repeat parents. Still have questions? Simply email [email protected]
Connect with MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
Website: MercyOne.org/desmoines
Twitter: @MercyOneDSM
Facebook: @mercyonedesmoines
Instagram: @mercyonedesmoines
Pinterest: @MercyOneDesMoines
The post is part of a series of sponsored posts by MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
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