No at Virginia Hospital Center. They do a COVID test upon admission though, so I assume if you test positive then you would need to.

I wore a mask through a long, challenging labor and it was not a problem to breath through the mask. Make sure you have a light surgical mask (and bring a few extra), not cloth or N95. I felt more comfortable being protected with all the people coming in and out, so I was glad to have it on.

yes, at Sibley but as others said the policy was enforced practically and with compassion- e.g., when I had to breathe through nausea no one said a word when I took the mask off for a few minutes to cope
and we didn't wear masks when by ourselves in our room
I had a negative Covid test

Anonymous wrote:I did a virtual hospital tour for Sibley yesterday where this was addressed. Even with a negative test, masks must be worn at all times by mother and support person when an employee is in your room. I have no idea how much this is enforced. Friends who recently gave birth at other hospitals in the US said this was the rule but it was not enforced for laboring mothers.

Previous Sibley poster here. DH and I tried to mask postpartum but often forgot and only one person asked us to put it on. There were literally at least a dozen or two dozen people in and Out of the room during our stay. All were masked and many had face shields.

I didn't deliver recently but asked my doctor about INOVA Fairfax's policy. She wants me to be scheduled and said I would get a COVID test within 2 days of my induction and would not be masked during pushing. I assume that she means if it is negative. Dad will need to wear a mask if he is in the room.

I did a virtual hospital tour for Sibley yesterday where this was addressed. Even with a negative test, masks must be worn at all times by mother and support person when an employee is in your room. I have no idea how much this is enforced. Friends who recently gave birth at other hospitals in the US said this was the rule but it was not enforced for laboring mothers.

Yes at Sibley but very lightly enforced. I gave birth last week and tried to keep it on as much as possible, but in the throes of labor I ripped it off and no one said anything. Postpartum, I had it off when we were alone in the room. I kept forgetting to put it back on when nurses/orderlies/doctors would come in and no one reminded me. I kept remembering and apologizing, they were all very understanding (and of course I had a negative test).

Not required at the Brigham in Boston.

I'm usually on oxygen while giving birth. I would think it would be a low oxygen risk.

Gave birth at GW last month. Not required to wear a mask in labor post-negative COVID test. I did have mine on before then though, and then forgot to take it off. Husband was required to keep his on.

I’ll add, I delivered at Sibley 2 weeks ago.

Yes at Sibley. I had a negative test and had to be masked for a scheduled C section.

No, but they did have me get a COVID test.

No mask if you test negative for Covid.

subject says it all.

If you have given birth in the last MONTH, or going to in the NEXT month, did you wear a mask?

i am elsewhere in VA and wondering what DC hospitals are requiring.

RECENT info only, please.