Pregnancy and COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

• Pregnancy puts people at greater risk of severe illness than non-pregnant people.  
• Some underlying medical conditions and other factors (such as age or occupation) can further increase a pregnant person’s risk for getting seriously ill.
• Getting COVID might also put you at higher risk of complications that can affect your pregnancy and developing baby, including preterm birth (delivering the baby earlier than 37 weeks). (Source: CDC)

It’s especially important for pregnant people, and those who live or visit with them, to protect against COVID:

• Stay up to date on your vaccinations.
• Follow CDC recommendations for precautions, based on community-level spread of COVID in your area.
• Talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions about COVID vaccination. 

(updated 11/13/23)

• If you have the option to work from home or stop work once you reach 36 weeks to reduce your chance of being exposed to COVID before you are due to deliver, we will provide a letter for you to give to your employer.
• You may choose to get tested for COVID at 38 weeks, and then keep COVID precautions – avoid crowds, keep distance, mask up in indoor public spaces -- until delivery to reduce the risk of active COVID infection during labor and delivery. For highest protection, you may choose to quarantine at home.
• You will be COVID tested in the Birth Center when you present in labor. If you are a scheduled c-section or scheduled induction of labor, a COVID test is collected when you arrive at the Birth Center.

(updated 11/13/23)

• We can deliver your baby if you go into labor while you have COVID or another contagious condition.
• We have protocols in place to decrease the risk of your baby getting sick.
• We do NOT take your baby away from you if you are COVID-positive. We use extra precautions so you can care for your baby safely.

(reviewed 11/13/23)

You may bring one person with you to your clinic appointments. This person must have no COVID symptoms or recent exposure to a COVID-positive person. 

(reviewed 11/13/23)

• If you have the option to work from home after 36 weeks, we will provide you a note for your employer.
• If you are working in health care, we can provide a note recommending you avoid working directly with COVID-19 positive patients.

(updated 11/13/23)

Yes. If you are pregnant now, you should get up to date on COVID vaccination. Pregnancy increases the risk of severe illness, complications of pregnancy, and even death from COVID. Vaccination reduces that risk dramatically. COVID vaccination is safe during pregnancy.

(updated 11/13/23)

Yes. We strongly encourage you to stay up to date on COVID vaccination. You do not need to delay getting pregnant after you get a vaccine. Vaccination will not affect your ability to get pregnant.

(updated 11/13/23)

No. COVID vaccines DO NOT affect fertility. It’s distressing that many young women (and men) have latched onto misinformation that vaccines could affect their ability to have children in the future. That is a scary thought. But it simply is not true. There is no evidence that COVID vaccines affect fertility. Researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines for decades. That gives us confidence that vaccines using this proven technology are safe for you today and into your future.

(reviewed 11/13/23)

Yes. If you are breastfeeding, we recommend that you stay up to date on your vaccination. You can keep breastfeeding your child. When you get vaccinated, the antibodies made by your body may be passed through breastmilk, and help protect your child from the virus.

(reviewed 11/13/23)

• Please call the Birth Center at 507-646-1205 before coming to the hospital. You and your support person will be screened via telephone for COVID symptoms prior to arrival. Your support person must be symptom-free.
• We will care for you even if you have symptoms consistent with COVID. We’ll take additional precautions as part of your care.

(updated 11/13/23)

• We can deliver your baby if you go into labor while you have COVID or another contagious condition.
• We have protocols in place to decrease the risk of your baby getting sick.
• We do NOT take your baby away from you if you are COVID-positive. We use extra precautions so you can care for your baby safely.
• We protect newborns from exposure, just as we do with other viruses (such as influenza). If you’re sick, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, and wear a mask while caring for your baby.
• After your baby is born, one of our pediatric providers will see your child every day and talk to you about their care.

(updated 11/13/23)

• Find current visitor restrictions: "What are the visitor restrictions?" 
• Visitor restrictions are subject to change.

(updated 11/13/23)

While there is limited data available, research has not found the virus in any samples of breastmilk studied. If you have respiratory symptoms (cough, fever, trouble breathing), we recommend frequent handwashing, washing your breast prior to feeding, and wearing a mask while nursing.

(reviewed 11/13/23)

• Yes. Birth Center tours for expecting parents are offered the second Monday of each month, 6:00-7:00 pm.
• Registration required: Email babyclasses@northfieldhospital.org
• Space is limited.
• Tour may be cancelled if the Birth Center is busy.
• See a delivery room, get an overview of monitoring and birth aids available.
• Got specific questions? Email them to us when you register
• Birth Plan: Please fill out your Birth Plan online(link is external)(link is external), or in your education folder. You can submit it online, or turn in the paper form at a prenatal appointment or when you come in to deliver. Your nurse will review and discuss it with you at that time. If you have specific questions, please ask your OB Provider at one of your prenatal appointments.

(updated 11/14/23)