Updated May 20, 2022

Pregnancy

• Are pregnant women at higher risk for COVID-19?
• Are there any special precautions I should take to avoid getting infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy?

Childbirth Safety Measures

• How does John Muir Health keep women and babies safe during labor and childbirth?

Childbirth, if positive for COVID-19

• How will my care change if I test positive for COVID-19?
• What are the risks of giving COVID-19 to my baby?
• Will I be separated from my baby if I have COVID-19?
• Will you test my baby for COVID-19?

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PREGNANCY

Are pregnant women at higher risk for COVID-19?

Due to changes in their bodies and immune systems, we know that pregnant women can be badly affected by some respiratory infections. It is therefore important that you take precautions to protect yourself against COVID-19, and report possible symptoms (including fever, cough or difficulty breathing) to your primary care doctor or OB/GYN.

Are there any special precautions I should take to avoid getting infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy?

Please continue to take the same precautions that are recommended for everyone and follow your local county health department’s orders and recommendations

• Contra Costa Health Services
• Alameda County Health Services
• Solano County Health Services

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CHILDBIRTH SAFETY MEASURES

How does John Muir Health keep women and babies safe during labor and childbirth?

• COVID-19 test upon admission: You’ll be provided with a rapid COVID-19 test upon admission to our Birth Center. Special isolation precautions are provided to COVID-19 moms and babies.
• Visitor restrictions: We follow visitor restrictions that comply with the California Department of Public Health’s requirements, which may change from time to time, depending on the current state of virus transmission and COVID-19 cases. Current restrictions include:
  • One (1) identified support person is permitted for the duration of the patient’s stay with us in Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery and Postpartum. 
  • Support person must be vaccinated or have proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours. View our complete hospital visitor policy for more detail. 
  • Support person must not have any symptoms of illness and/or have been in contact with anyone who is sick.
• Universal mask policy:  All patients and visitors are given commercially-produced medical face masks upon entry into our hospital. Patients and visitors are given a new mask each day. All staff and physicians wear face masks and other appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) based on CDC guidelines for the patients they are caring for or procedures they are conducting.
  • This includes wearing a mask during labor and delivery, as well as throughout the duration of your stay, whenever our staff enters your room.
  • Newborns are not masked.
• Temperature monitoring: Before entering our hospitals, all patients, visitors, staff and physicians undergo routine temperature monitoring and symptom screening. 
  • Checking temperatures and screening for symptoms helps us catch any potential illness that a person may not yet be aware of themselves.
  • The screening process includes quickly taking your temperature (touchless) and responding to a few brief COVID-19 screening questions. 
  •  Anyone with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher or who answers “yes” to any of the screening questions will not be permitted to enter.

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CHILDBIRTH IF POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

How will my care change if I test positive for COVID-19?

Rest assured, you’ll receive the same attentive care. Additionally, we’ll do the following:

• We’ll place you in a negative pressure room or in a room with enhanced HEPA filtration.
• Meals for you and your support person will be provided in your room.
• Support person must remain in the room with you for the duration of the stay.
• We’ll educate you and your support person on how to safely care for you and your newborn to limit your baby’s exposure to the virus.
• Your COVID-19 care team will communicate with you by phone, when possible, to minimize the number of times in and out of your room and may wear additional protective gear, such as gowns and face shields.

What are the risks of giving COVID-19 to my baby?

• Before delivery: COVID-19 virus passing from a pregnant woman to her baby during pregnancy or delivery has only been reported in rare cases. However, the good news is that the virus has not yet been found in samples of amniotic fluid.
• After Delivery: We do know that there is some risk of passing the virus to your baby, particularly if your baby comes in contact with your respiratory secretions, such as the tiny droplets of fluid in your coughs and sneezes.
• Breastmilk: To date, the virus fortunately has not been found in samples of breastmilk.

Will I be separated from my baby if I have COVID-19?

No. Your baby will stay with you in your room, unless a higher level of care is needed, such as oxygen or IV fluids. Your care team will discuss with you the best place for your baby to go after delivery.

Will you test my baby for COVID-19?

We’ll only test your baby if you are confirmed to have COVID-19. If we test you but don’t have the results back at time of birth, we’ll use special isolation precautions and watch your baby for symptoms of the virus.