03/12/2020
Notice to Patients
With the current concerns about coronavirus we want to provide some advice. First, to get the most ongoing, reliable and updated information visit the CDC website, www.cdc.gov. There is some recent reassuring report about fetal outcomes of women that tested positive for the coronavirus. In limited recent case series of infants born to mothers with COVID-19 published in the peer-reviewed literature, none of the infants have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Additionally, the virus was not detected in samples of amniotic fluid or breastmilk.
As the situation with the coronavirus continues to develop, we want to assure you that the health, safety and wellbeing of our patients, families and staff are of the utmost importance to us.
Throughout our birth centers you will find hand sanitizer. Our staff is also taking increased cleaning and sanitizing measures to help keep everyone safe. We have extended our already existing sick leave for all our employees to encourage them to stay home if they are feeling ill.
We at Beach Cities Midwifery believe that if you are ill/sick you should stay home, rest and take in lots of fluids. The presenting symptoms of coronavirus include fever and cough. It is difficult to pick up coronavirus unless you have been exposed to someone that has the virus or have recently traveled to areas that have been identified as ‘high risk’. In addition, you would need to be in close contact (within 1 meter) of the infected person. Hand hygiene, cough into elbow not hands, ‘fist or elbow bump rather than handshaking’, stay out of close contact places (order groceries from location that will bring to your car so you do not have to go into store) are suggestions to avoid infection.
Prenatal visits are an important aspect of care during pregnancy but if you are feeling ill/sick we would recommend that you contact the office to talk with our staff to determine how we can coordinate your visit. The midwife can talk with you to advise about whether you should attend your scheduled appointment or reschedule. We want to ensure that you and your baby are doing well while keeping you home until you are better. Of course, if after talking with you there is a concern that you may be at risk for coronavirus, we will follow the guidelines from the California Department of Public Health and coordinate the effort to have you evaluated. Make sure that if you plan to get evaluated at a medical/midwifery office notify the office so you can get a mask before entering the office.
Please let us know if you have any questions and thank you for helping to keep our community safe!
Beach Cities Midwives and Staff
