Getting ready to have a baby can be stressful even in the best of circumstances. In this challenging time, we want every expectant mother to know that there is no safer place than Kootenai Health to have your baby.
How we are keeping mothers and babies safe:
- Every mother is tested for COVID-19 prior to delivery. Knowing your status allows us to use the proper personal protective equipment and keeps other moms and babies safe in the Family Birth Center.
- Employees wear masks at all times. This is called “source control” and makes sure we all (employees, patients, and guests) keep our germs to ourselves.
- Employees are regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms and do not work while ill.
- The Family Birth Center is a separate unit with a private entrance for birthing mothers. There is no cross over with any other type of patient.
- The Family Birth Center is a locked unit for privacy and safety.
- Mothers can bring one labor partner or visitor to be with them. A certified doula can also be present for laboring and birth.
- Babies stay with their mothers after birth at all times unless taken they need emergency higher-level care in the NICU.
- The Family Birth Center will always remain open and has plenty of room for mothers and babies.
Click here to learn more about our state of the art Family Birth Center and NICU.
What if an expected mother has COVID-19?
Mothers who test positive for COVID-19 will still be welcomed at Kootenai Health for their delivery and treatment. Once we know a patient’s status, our team can take any necessary precautions to keep all mothers, babies, and employees safe. Mother and baby always stay together, even if the mother is COVID-19 positive. The only exception would be if a mother is COVID-19 positive and baby needed NICU-level care. This is to protect the other fragile babies in the NICU from possible infection.
