Delivering at GW Hospital during Covid
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Anonymous
| Has anyone delivered at GW Hospital in the past few weeks, or is anyone planning to deliver at GW Hospital in the next few months? Have you considered switching or did you switch to a different hospital or birth center due to covid-19? I'm planning to deliver there in May, and am looking for re-assurance about the level of exposure to covid in L&D. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| I'm also interested in hearing experiences. I'm working with a maternal health non-profit who is looking to share stories like this with the media. Also looking for other stories of pregnancy or birth being affected by the COVID19 crisis. You can email me at dmvcovidmaternalhealth@gmail.com |
Anonymous
| Yes, planning to deliver there. Feel like it’s a little late to change. They are supposedly going to keep maternity very separate. That said, some of the N.Y. stories are pretty scary - they basically have admitted that they are exposing laboring women because so many providers have been exposed. It’s a little scary, but I’m not sure what can be done about it. I feel like at least at GW, they may have a lot of cases, but for that reason should take precautions seriously. |
Anonymous
| I would trust GW at least as much as other hospitals- where would you switch TO? |
Anonymous
|
Hi All.
My friend just delivered at GW. They are testing all pregnant women. They are monitoring temp and symptoms of the support person as well. Her doula was on an iPad...not needed. She said, "The doctors and nurses were so supportive...I did not want for anything." |
Anonymous
That’s really wonderful news! Here’s hoping our hospitals L&D can continue to operate in this manner. |
Anonymous
| I switched and am due in May.one of my friend who is a resident at GW said it’s safe but it’s still where most of the covid patients are being treated.. also they must be low on nursing staff which is understandable.. I won’t have anyone with me due to travel restrictions so I will need some support.. |
Anonymous
Does anyone know about the layout of the hospital. Would someone getting tested for covid also enter through the same area as someone headed up to L&D? |
Anonymous
| Time for all of the low risk births to transfer to birthing centers or support more home birth options. |
Anonymous
| I am planning to deliver at GW, due date is May 2nd. I believe one support person is allowed for the whole duration of the hospital stay. Is the hospital supplying all meals for that support person in addition to all meals for the laboring mother? If the support person can not leave, I assume all meals would be provided? |
Anonymous
Yes. |
Anonymous
|
We are dedicated to protecting patients, their loved ones and healthcare providers. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are restricting traffic in all our patient care areas to essential clinical staff only. We appreciate the need of our patients to have visitors and the need of family and friends to provide support to their loved one while in the hospital. However, we must balance that with our responsibility to keep our patients, staff and community members safe. Our visitor policy has temporarily changed:
Only one designated support person may accompany a patient to Labor and Delivery. The support person must be 18 years of age or older. The patient and their support person will be screened in the Main Lobby. A symptomatic support person will not be permitted into the hospital. The support person may accompany the patient to the Mother Baby Unit and may stay overnight. The support person is expected to stay. If he or she chooses to leave the hospital, they will not be permitted to re-enter. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will permit one parent or guardian daily. The designated parent or guardian may not be switched. We understand how difficult it is to not be with loved ones while they are in the hospital and we do not make these decisions lightly. We are acting in the best interest of all our patients, families, our physicians and staff, and the community we serve. Please remember that we will get through this very difficult time and that the restrictions are temporary. CAN MY SUPPORT PERSON LEAVE TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT? If your support person leaves the hospital, he or she will not be permitted back into the hospital. The hospital will provide three meals per day. Additionally, Starbucks is open 24 hours a day. WHAT ABOUT MY DOULA? You may choose your doula or professional labor coach to be your one designated support person. They will not be able to switch out with another support person. Consider contacting your doula remotely during labor using Facetime or Skype. "IT TAKES A VILLAGE" TO SUPPORT A PREGNANT WOMAN. WHO WILL SUPPORT ME? On March 23, 2020, The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) stated, "Each hospital must make decisions that are in the best interests of the health of the hospital team, patients and family. AWHONN nurses are on the frontline of delivering care, and we support those [hospital's] decisions." The nurses, physicians, certified nurse midwives and lactation specialists at The George Washington University Hospital are committed to supporting you during your birth. WHAT ABOUT TOURS AND BIRTH CLASSES? All live tours have been postponed. A virtual tour is available here: https://www.gwhospital.com/conditions-services/maternity/prenatal-tour. The Breast Feeding Center is holding live-stream classes on Zoom. Please visit their website at breastfeedingcenter.org. WHERE CAN I FIND UP TO DATE INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 AND THE VISITOR POLICY? Please refer to gwhospital.com for updates. Additionally, talk to your physician or certified nurse midwife at your next visit. From GW Babyscripts app |
Anonymous
I'm also delivering at GW and my due date is May 23rd. Also interested in knowing about supplying meals, ice, microwave, etc. Will my partner still have access to all these things or should we load up on snacks and possibly meals? |
Anonymous
| I’m due May 25. Re meals, the midwives told me that I would be able to order throughout the day, and my husband would have to order in the morning, but that he gets three meals a day. |
Anonymous
|
I just delivered at GW last Saturday 4/25.
You do not enter where folks are getting tested for Covid or going to ER. L&D was so quiet. You are taken straight to your room. The nurses wear PPE until you test negative for Covid which comes back in under 45 minutes. I was with the Midwives - they were awesome - along with the nurses. Everyone was so helpful, nice and calm. One support person with you whose symptoms are monitored. My doula was on FaceTime. Support person just orders food with you. No limit. There are also snacks available on the floor and the cafeteria is open. Anything else folks wanna know? |