COVID-19 Changes to Our Practice

I pray you are feeling well, staying safe, and staying calm in this difficult time we find ourselves. Every week it seems we learn new information about the COVID-19 virus and how to protect ourselves. I want to keep all of you and your families safe and also keep our team and our families safe. We are all in this together.

Symptoms of COVID-19: per the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include: fever, tiredness, cough.
Other symptoms include: shortness of breath, aches and pains, sore throat, and rarely diarrhea, nausea or a runny nose. Most people may only have 1-2 symptoms. 
                                                                                                                
Telehealth visits:

• Can be used anytime that labs are not needed, you are feeling well, and no ultrasound is needed to confirm baby’s position.
• Can be used if you are experiencing symptoms that might be Corona Virus
• All current pregnant clients should visit www.MidwifeRx.com and set up an account on eVisit platform. Most telehealth visits will be done at your regularly scheduled appointment time. Becki, our office manager, at ext 1, can help with you any difficulties with scheduling your telehealth visits.
• All pregnant clients should buy or borrow a fetal doppler and automatic blood pressure cuff-preferably upper arm, not wrist.

 
Drive Up Prenatal/Postpartum Check Ups:

• Can be done any visit where labs, ultrasound, or vaginal exams are needed.
• Should only be done if you are feeling well and have no COVID symptoms.
• Use your bathroom at home before you leave your house.
• If you have a scale at home, weigh yourself. If not, no worries.
• BYOP-Bring your own pen if you have consents to sign.
• When you arrive in parking lot, stay in your car. Call Angie at ext 2.
• We will do the talking part of your prenatal over the phone. We will discuss your physical and emotional status, labs, educational topics, and any of your concerns or questions. This may take 30 minutes or more.
• Get into your passenger seat of your car. Slide the seat back as far as it will go. Recline the seat back as far as it will go.
• Angie will come out and check your blood pressure and the baby’s heart rate.
• The goal is to minimize exposure-under 10 minutes of contact.
• She may be wearing a mask or gloves. It’s nothing personal, just trying to stay safe.
• Wear your mask if you have one available. 

 
Office Visits with Invites Inside:

• Will begin like the drive up visits with talking on the phone for awhile.
• Then Angie will invite you into the office, and directly into the back lab/ultrasound room.
• No children inside the office except newborns.
• We would prefer you come into the office alone if you are ok with that.

Payment Options

• Telehealth appointments-eVisit platform automatically collects your credit card info, so you can just pay with that for convenience.
• Cash or check are easily accepted and welcomed.
• Sending money with PayPal is easy and has no risk of COVID-19. Our PayPal email is: MidwifeLove@gmail.com Also, if you send it to us as a family/friend, we’ll get no interest removed.
• Becki at ext 2, can take credit card payments over the phone.
• If you must pay with credit card in person, let us know and we will have a tablet you can sign.

New Birth Policies

• At 37 weeks, stop working 
• Having COVID-19 at time of birth, makes you high risk for pulmonary complications during labor.
• If you have diagnosed or suspected COVID-19 in labor, that will require hospital transfer.
• Attendance Policy for Homebirths: Two (2) support people in the birthing space at home. Other family members/friends, including children, who live in the home or who are providing childcare to the older siblings, should be encouraged to stay in another part of the home to reduce risk for exposure to the midwifery team.
• When you start labor, take a symptom check of your 2 birth support people. If anyone has any symptoms, please let the midwife know so she can use appropriate mask/PPE.
• Continue social distancing following your birth and avoid introducing in-person introductions of your newborn to family and friends.
• The Midwifery Team (Angie and 1 assistant/student) will screen themselves for symptoms before attending your birth. If symptomatic, a backup midwife or assistant will be called in. I know this is not desirable, but it is necessary to keep you safe.
• Most hospitals are only allowing 1 visitor per laboring patient. So if a hospital transfer is needed, most clients would choose their partner, and thus I cannot accompany you. However, I will be available via phone throughout your labor and birth. Postpartum visit at your house post hospital discharge is still available. 

 
Mental Health

• Please practice self-care daily.
• Get outside, take walks, feed yourself nutritious food, and get good sleep at night.
• Take Melatonin or Benadryl if you need it to sleep while pregnant. 
• Download Insight Timer a great free meditation app. Start meditating 5 minutes per day to lessen your anxiety and learn to calm your mind. It’s a great way to start the day. Look for the Beginner’s Section if Applicable.
• Have your partner monitor the news so you don’t have to. Get off the news and too much negative social media.
• Let me know if your moods are unbalanced. I’m here to help.

Sending you all the love and energy that my heart and body can make…. And a fun picture of my kayaking adventure this week. The Earth keeps on turning, the birds keep on singing, the flowers keep opening, and families welcome new life. I am happy to be your midwife and serve you through it all. 
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