Kaleida Health Celebrates Easter with Newborns

Released: 4/12/2020 10:43:43 AM

This Easter, Kaleida Health is celebrating with new parents at Oishei Children’s Hospital who are enjoying their newborns just in time for the holiday. Despite the current COVID-19 pandemic, Kaleida Health shares why the hospital is still the safest place to deliver a baby. 

Experts from Oishei Children’s Hospital answered some frequently asked questions related to safe pregnancy and delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Q: Is it safe to have a baby at the hospital during COVID-19? 
A: Yes, it is still safe to have a baby at the hospital during COVID-19. The team at Oishei Children’s Hospital (OCH) has taken extra precautions to keep everyone safe including: 

• Enhanced cleaning and workflow protocols 
• Reduced visitation for Emergency Department and inpatient units 
  • Allowing for one (1) support person during delivery only 
• Universal masking throughout the hospital for all staff and visitors 
• Entrance and exit precautions: 
  • Parents and newborn can be escorted directly through exit to parking garage 
  • If street exit is preferred, parents and newborn will be escorted to a separate exit from the point of entry for the general public 

Q: Should I consider changing my plans about having baby at home vs. hospital? 
A: The hospital continues to be the safest place to birth a baby 

Q: What steps has the hospital taken? 
A: The Oishei Children’s Hospital team has put a number of steps into place to keep mom, newborn and support partner safe: 

• As always, hospitals have the highest trained professionals to oversee the birth experience – on the patient’s terms but with safety and quality in mind 
• Though OCH have a lot of options and equipment available, it may not need to be used if a natural delivery is possible 
• OCH has a full team for moms to work with including physicians, nurses, midwifes and lactation consultants all in one place! 

Q: What steps to take to keep myself and baby safe during pregnancy? 
A: Pregnant women have not been seen to be at any higher risk to contract COVID-19 than the rest of the general population. Therefore, following the same physical and social distancing guidelines and hand hygiene will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 during pregnancy. Also, maintaining all prenatal appointments and care with an OB/GYN is important to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. 

Q: What steps can new parents take to keep baby safe when you get home? 
A: Though the birth of a new baby usually brings many visitors, the best way to keep your newborn safe is to not allow any in-person visitors at this time including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins or anyone not living within the newborn’s household. 

• New parents can introduce their newborn to family through virtual visits with Skype, FaceTime and social media 

Additionally, if you must leave the house for essentials, be sure to follow the current guidelines to protect yourself from the spread of the virus including:

• Wear a mask while in public 
• Practice physical distancing while in public 
• Do not touch your face 
• Practice proper hand hygiene 

If parents protect themselves, they are shielding everyone else in the household.