Q&A: What to Expect When Delivering During a Pandemic (Update)
It’s an unprecedented time, but having a baby is still just as safe (and sweet).
While a lot has changed due to the pandemic, we continue to welcome babies safely in The BirthPlace. It is important that our families feel safe and know they are receiving quality care, including personalized touches, even during this time.
Being prepared can help ease your mind and reduce stress as you wait for baby’s arrival. Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions about delivery during the pandemic. For additional peace-of-mind, we also encourage you to call the Labor & Delivery unit or your physician’s office with any questions—big or small.
Who is allowed to come to the hospital with mom and visit baby?
To keep everyone safe, moms are allowed one significant other and one support person while in the hospital. These two visitors must remain the same throughout mom's stay, no switching is allowed. Upon check-in, mom's two supporters will be provided color-coded bands. The overnight support person will wear a band the same color as mom and baby and can spend the night with mom in postpartum. The other support person will have a different color band and cannot stay overnight. If baby is in the Special Care Nursery, only mom and the overnight support person are allowed to visit baby.
What are the mask requirements?
Our staff members wear a surgical mask at all times, as well as a face shield during all face-to-face interactions with our patients. Moms and their support person must enter the facility masked. Once in labor, mom does not need to mask, but her support person does. After delivery, we ask that mom and her support person mask when a health care provider enters their room.
What are the COVID-19 screening procedures?
Prior to any procedure, like a C-section or induction, a member of our staff will call mom to complete a phone screening. When she arrives at our unit, we screen her again, including temperature checks. We check the temperatures of support partners every 12 hours and will also continue to watch mom for symptoms during the entire stay.
How has care changed due to COVID-19?
Our goal has always been to provide the best and safest care possible for our patients. We continue to provide the excellent, hands-on care our community has grown to expect from our hospital, with additional COVID-19 safety measures in place.
The birth of a baby is an experience one never forgets. It’s important to enjoy this special moment, trusting that we are keeping safety a priority.
Shannon Roberts, BSN, RN, RNC-OB, is the Director of Women's Services. She previously served as Unit Director on Chesapeake Regional Medical Center’s Labor & Delivery unit, where she worked for more than 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Old Dominion University in Norfolk and also is certified in inpatient obstetrics. She began her tenure at CRH as a candy striper at age 14.