COVID-19 Policy, Precautions, and Updates


Updated Mask Policy

We are updating our COVID policy in accordance with the latest CDC guidelines for healthcare settings. We recognize that COVID remains prevalent and that safety precautions are important for families in our community. 

Because COVID may continue to be with us for the indefinite future, we continue to adapt our policies to support our dual goals of protecting our community and fostering connection. We also recognize that the average risk of hospitalization and death has decreased because of vaccination and medical therapies available.  

As of Tuesday, October 11th, 2022, the Birth Center of Chicago no longer requires masks to be worn inside our clinic or birth center. Wearing masks is always an option for people who feel more comfortable with their use, and we will continue to have masks available for those interested in wearing them.  

We continue to not require masks for laboring people. Partners and support people are now also welcome to be without masks in the birth suites and common areas while attending a birth.


Client Considerations

  • Virtual Visits 

    • The birth center is not limiting in-person visits. 

    • Clients requesting virtual visits will be accommodated with the understanding that an in-person visit may be required for certain evaluations.  

  • Social Distancing & Limiting Visitors 

    • Clients may have support people and children at prenatal visits. Masks are not required.

    • Clients are encouraged to limit their support team to three (3) people. A doula will not count as one of your three support people.

    • Siblings are encouraged to be present. All children must be supervised by a designated adult. 

  •   Screening and Infection Control

    • Clients will be instructed to call us with any COVID symptoms prior to coming to the birth center, and if appropriate will be offered a virtual visit instead. 

    • All clients and visitors will be screened prior to entering the birth center. Clients with a fever >100.4℉ will not be allowed to enter the birth center. 

      • If arriving for a prenatal appointment, it will be rescheduled to a virtual visit (same day if possible). Plan of care and next steps will be determined during the virtual visit. 

      • If arriving for labor, client will be directed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

    • Masks are not required for visits and shared spaces. Masks are optional and their use is supported for anyone who feels more comfortable.

      • Hand sanitizer will be available in commonly used areas to encourage frequent hand hygiene. 

  • Client Illness or Suspected COVID

    • The birth center will follow current CDC guidelines for testing, quarantine, and isolation. 

    • The Birth center will not be providing COVID testing or triaging any symptomatic suspected COVID clients.

    • All symptomatic clients suspected of COVID should be tested. Testing sites in Illinois are found here: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid-19-testing-sites



Breastfeeding and Newborn considerations

  • Breastfeeding with COVID-19

    • Per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), breastmilk is not a likely source of transmission of COVID-19 virus and has many benefits to infants and nursing parents. Clients who desire to breastfeed should be encouraged to do so, while being counseled to take all possible precautions to avoid spreading the virus to the infant.

      • Wash hands with soap and water prior to handling infant, or breasts for pumping or expression

      • Wear a mask while nursing or pumping/expressing milk

      • Clean and sanitize pump parts and bottles

      • If exclusively pumping/expressing milk, a healthy parent or support person can bottle-feed infant to minimize exposure to COVID + parent

  • Infant-Parent separation 

    • If the birthing parent develops COVID-19 and is symptomatic, the AAP recommends rooming-in with precautions. 

 

COVID Symptoms

  • Fever >100.4 

  • Fatigue 

  • Dry cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Less common – GI symptoms (loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain), sore throat, headache, runny nose

  • New loss of taste or smell