COVID-19 and Midwifery Care

We are committed to adapting to the ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines in order to provide the safest, most respectful midwifery care to our clients. Our one-on-one approach lends itself to significantly limiting viral exposure during the course of your midwifery care. We are following all CDC, state, and county guidelines in order to minimize the spread of coronavirus. 

Our COVID-19 protocols include: 

General

• Both midwives having been fully vaccinated against COVID-19
• Screening clients for COVID-19 symptoms and exposures before every in-person visit.
• Asking clients to follow CDC guidelines regarding activities, travel, isolation, quarantining, and testing based on vaccination status. 
• Asking unvaccinated clients to commit to weekly PCR testing at term (between 37 and 42 weeks).
• Encouraging clients to bolster their immune system by eating well, limiting stress as best they can, getting the flu shot, and generally taking care of themselves. 

Birth

• Limiting the number of birth support people, generally to 2-3 people.
• Screening all present for COVID-19 symptoms.
• Asking all birth support people and the birth team to wear masks at the birth. The birthing person is not required to wear a mask.

Clinic Visits

• We are currently offering select virtual visits for those who would like them (see below)
• Pre-screening all clients and staff for COVID-19 symptoms.
• Asking that all clients and staff cleanse their hands upon entering the clinic.
• Asking clients, guests, and children over the age of 2 to wear masks during clinic visits. If you do not have a mask we will provide one for you. 
• Scheduling appointments to allow time for disinfecting surfaces and medical equipment and to limit overlap between clients.
• Asking that clients limit the number of people they bring to in-person clinic visits. We love having children of all ages join you in your visits with us, but please keep in mind that our COVID disinfection protocols means that we cannot have many toys out, making our space less child-friendly than usual. 
• Running a medical-grade True HEPA air purifier in our clinic room. 

Both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend all people over the age of 12 receive the Covid-19 vaccine, including those who are pregnant, body feeding, or are attempting to become pregnant. Please click on the hyperlinks for more information.

Evidence Based Birth published a comprehensive review of the evidence about COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy. Check it out here!

The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle has published Health Matters: Covid-19 Vaccines & the Black Community that speaks directly to this community about the Covid-19 vaccine. 

If you have questions or concerns, MotherToBaby offers free, confidential information about the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. This service is available Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm. To reach MotherToBaby:

• Call 1-866-626-6847
• Chat live or send an email MotherToBaby