Covid-19, Labor & Visitation: What You Need to Know

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A pregnant woman with question marks on her belly (Covid-19, Labor & Visitation: What You Need to Know Dianna Hill Contributor Miami Mom Collective)

Covid-19 has thrown us all for a loop. Not to mention none of us can seem to agree on much of anything. But I do think we can all agree that this wasn’t just a regular ole pandemic. It happened in the most EXTRA year ever… 2020!  

For most of us, this is our first encounter with anything of this sort (insert Lady Whistledown accent here). So all of this feels so odd and so overwhelming. Now add in the stressors of let’s say pregnancy and/or delivery and BAM! Cue the panic.

I have reached out to all of the local labor and delivery hospitals in Miami and gathered information on their visitation policies. Please remember that these policies can change daily. It is always best to call closer to your due date to get the most accurate information.

Baptist Hospital

Baptist Hospital is located on North Kendall Drive. This hospital is currently allowing 1 support person to be with the mother at all times. This also includes the mother’s time in the OBED (obstetrical emergency department). If the patient is COVID negative then labor and delivery will resume as normal.

At the time of admission, if the mother’s COVID-19 result is positive, the patient will be treated as a Covid-19 patient. The good news is that Baptist is now allowing support persons to stay with the mother before, during, and after delivery. However, If the patient needs a C-section then the support person will not be allowed in the operating room and will remain in the postpartum room until the mother returns. 

In the case that the mother is COVID positive, the support person will be restricted to staying in the room at all times and is not able to leave until discharge. Meals will be provided for both mom and support person. 

South Miami Hospital

At South Miami Hospital only one visitor is allowed. No switching. The support person is not allowed into the hospital/OBED until the patient is admitted. If the patient is Covid-19 positive the support person is allowed to stay with the patient in the room but not allowed to leave the room until discharge. If the patient is Covid-19 positive and requires a c-section the support person will not be allowed in the C-section but can meet the mother in the postpartum room after recovery. Meals will be provided for the support person as well since they are not able to leave the room until discharge. 

West Kendall Baptist Hospital

At Baptist of West Kendall, they are allowing one visitor at all times. That visitor is allowed in the labor and delivery room once the patient is admitted. No support persons in the OBED area. If the patient is Covid-19 positive, the support person is allowed to stay with the patient in the room but not allowed to leave the room until discharge. 

Homestead Hospital

At Homestead Hospital they are allowing one visitor at all times. That visitor is allowed once the patient is admitted. No support persons in the OBED area. If the patient is Covid-19 positive, the support person is allowed to stay with the patient in the room but not allowed to leave the room until discharge. 

A woman giving giving birth by C-section (Covid-19, Labor & Visitation: What You Need to Know Dianna Hill Contributor Miami Mom Collective)

Jackson Hospital Main Campus

At Jackson Hospital main campus, only one visitor is allowed. No switching. A support person is not allowed into the hospital/OBED until the patient is admitted. If the patient is Covid-19 positive the support person is allowed to stay with the patient in the room but not allowed to leave the room until discharge. If the patient is Covid-19 positive and requires a c-section the support person will not be allowed in the C-section but can meet the mother in the postpartum room after recovery.  

Jackson South

At Jackson Hospital South campus, only one visitor is allowed. No switching. A support person is not allowed into the hospital/OBED until the patient is admitted. If the patient is Covid-19 positive the support person is allowed to stay with the patient in the room but not allowed to leave the room until discharge. If the patient is Covid-19 positive and requires a c-section the support person will not be allowed in the C-section but can meet the mother in the postpartum room after recovery.  

Kendall Regional

Kendall Regional Hospital is NOT allowing support persons at all if mothers are COVID-19 positive. Once the patient is conformed negative for COVID-19, they are allowed to have one support person. No switching. 

Mount Sinai

At Mount Sinai, they are allowing one visitor at all times. Once the patient is admitted, the visitor is brought to the labor and delivery room. No support persons in the OBED area. If the patient is Covid-19 positive, the support person is allowed to stay with the patient in the room but not allowed to leave the room until discharge. 

Take a deep breath Mommas, you got this! 

My hope is that having this information accessible will bring some level of relief and comfort for those of you going into labor and delivering during a pandemic. Remember no question is a stupid question. Especially when it comes to the safety and comfort of your babies. Below I also included some questions that you may not think to ask but are very important during this time of uncertainty.

A sign that says, "Not today #COVID19" (Covid-19, Labor & Visitation: What You Need to Know Dianna Hill Contributor Miami Mom Collective)

Questions for the Hospital/OBGYN

  1. What are your COVID19 policies and procedures?
  2. Is my support person able to come with me to the triage area or do they have to wait for me to be admitted?
  3. Is the support person able to leave and come back to the hospital?
  4. If I am positive on admission will my significant other be able to stay with me? If so what rules do they need to follow?
  5. Let’s say I test positive for Covid-19. What are the policies on keeping my baby at the bedside? Do these policies change depending on the method of delivery? C-section vs vaginal?
  6. Am I able to take my mask off at any point in labor?
  7. Are my other children allowed to be at the delivery?

Editor’s Note: Please connect with local hospitals directly to confirm current procedures and policies as they are subject to change. Also, be sure to check out this post about postpartum hospital essentials!

3 COMMENTS

    • Awesome! That’s great news! 🤗 maybe the rest of the hospitals will follow soon! Thanks for the info! Do you know when they started allowing a second support person?

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