Preparing for Your Hospital Experience as a Birth Mother During COVID-19

If you are currently pregnant, you are probably experiencing some anxiety as your due date approaches, especially in the circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic. You may be wondering what your hospital experience will look like, or if the hospital will be safe for you and your child. While giving birth in the middle of a global pandemic is by no means ideal, Adoption Choices of Texas is here to help you navigate your adoption and hospital experience as a birth mother during COVID-19. 

At Adoption Choices of Texas, we understand that giving birth during the coronavirus pandemic can be an overwhelming task. Fortunately, our adoption counselors and caseworkers are here to help you prepare for your hospital experience so that you will be more than ready to face the challenge when the time comes.

Precautions to Take as a Birth Mother During COVID-19

While you are preparing for the birth of your child, there are a number of important precautions you can take to protect yourself and your child from exposure to COVID-19. The best precaution is to follow your state’s current coronavirus policies, CDC guidelines and limit your time away from home. Yet, we understand that this is not always possible. When you are not able to stay home, you can help to limit the spread of the coronavirus with the following steps: 

• Wash your hands frequently: whenever you touch a contaminated surface, the coronavirus can transfer to your hands. It is especially important that you wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water before touching your face. 

• Practice social distancing: it is recommended that you maintain a physical space of at least 6 feet between yourself and others because the coronavirus is able to spread through close contact and respiratory droplets in the air.

• Wear a cloth mask: masks are an important precaution because they can limit the spread of infectious respiratory droplets through the air. By wearing a mask, you will protect yourself, your child, and those around you from the coronavirus.

During your pregnancy, it is important to follow these precautions because you are at a higher risk from COVID-19. While these steps can help to protect you from the coronavirus, you should still monitor yourself for any symptoms, such as fever or difficulty breathing, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What to Expect as a Birth Mother during COVID-19

As a birth mother, your hospital experience during the coronavirus pandemic will be very different from normal times. While the regulations will vary between hospitals, there will be a number of safety protocols put in place to protect the health of both you and your child, including but not limited to the following:

• Testing birth mothers for COVID-19 upon entry into the hospital

• Requiring masks for everyone in the room, including doctors, nurses, and the birth mother

• Limiting the number number of people allowed in the room with the birth mother

• Recommending patients and birth partners stay in the room as much as possible

• Monitoring temperatures and symptoms of the birth mother throughout labor

• Screening the birth mother and child before the child is discharged to the adoptive parents

We understand that these restrictions can be upsetting and frustrating for you as the birth mother, but it is important to remember that they exist to protect you and your baby from any possible exposure to COVID-19. While many hospitals have placed restrictions on the number of guests allowed in the room, if you wish to contact your adoption caseworker, the adoptive parents, or your own family at any time, you will be able to do so through telecommunications such as ZOOM or FaceTime.

The Hospital Experience as a Birth Mother during COVID-19

As a birth mother, your hospital experience can be very stressful, especially in the unprecedented times of the coronavirus pandemic. The most important thing is that you and your child remain healthy. At Adoption Choices of Texas, we are here to make sure that your pregnancy and adoption processes are straightforward and safe.  

If you are currently pregnant and have questions about the adoption process or your hospital experience during the coronavirus pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help you and your child feel safe and supported throughout your pregnancy and adoption process.