Q&A: What to Expect When Delivering During a Pandemic
It’s an unprecedented time, but having a baby is still just as safe (and sweet).
While a lot has changed over the last few months, 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 pandemic.
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 question—big or small.
Who is allowed to come to the hospital with mom and visit baby?
To keep everyone safe, moms can have one support person with them at all times. This designated person is not allowed to switch out to allow other individuals to visit. This unfortunately may not be the birth experience you envisioned, but we encourage our moms to view the visitor restrictions as a time to really bond with baby and their support person.
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. We request that moms and their support person enter the facility masked. Once in labor, you do not need to mask, but your support person does. After delivery, we ask that mom and her support person mask when a health care provider enters their room.
What are your COVID-19 screening procedures?
Prior to any procedure, like a C-section or induction, a member of our staff will call you to complete a phone screening. When you arrive at our unit, we screen you again, including temperature checks on both mom and your support person. We follow by checking the support person’s temperature 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 your 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.