IMPORTANT COVID-19 INFORMATION

As the global and local situation of the pandemic continues to evolve, Minnesota Birth Center (MBC) remains committed to the health and safety of our patients, staff, and community.

Read on for a summary of our current policies and practices, as of October 19, 2022:

  • Masks in clinic and at births: Per current CDC guidelines for healthcare facilities, masks are optional for those with no COVID-19 exposures, COVID-19 symptoms, or recent positive COVID-19 test results.
    • If you would prefer that your care team masks while in your presence, we would be happy to do so. Just let us know. 
  • Recent confirmed COVID-19 infection may affect the location or plan for the birth: If any symptoms, exposures, or positive tests occur, please discuss with a midwife at your next appointment or by phone, if needed.
  • Anyone with a known COVID-19 exposure or COVID-19 symptoms in the last 10 days needs to be cleared by a nurse or midwife to enter the building, regardless of vaccination status.
    • Call our nurse line to discuss your situation and make a plan with a nurse or midwife.
  • If you have a recent COVID-19 infection confirmed with a positive test result, stay home until all of the following are true:
    • It has been 6 days since your first day of symptoms, or if asymptomatic, your positive test result, AND
    • A current antigen test is indicating negative, AND
    • Your symptoms have improved markedly.
    • Call our nurse line to discuss your situation and make a plan with a nurse or midwife. In certain time-sensitive situations, you may be able to return earlier than 6 days.
  • There are no current limits on the number of visitors at clinic appointments or births; this includes children. All must meet the above criteria regarding absence of COVID-19 symptoms, exposure, and infection.
  • Telehealth: We continue to offer some virtual visits as a standard part of our prenatal, postpartum, and lactation care. Patients will receive a link prior to the appointment that will allow access to the virtual appointment room; no app download is necessary. We encourage partners/spouses/support persons to participate in these virtual visits as well. Many appointments can be switched to a virtual format, even last minute. Please let us know if you need or desire a virtual appointment instead.
  • If this is not your first pregnancy, consider spacing your OB visits to up to 8 weeks apart until the third trimester if you would prefer doing so. Of greatest importance are the following visits:
    • 20-week ultrasound at 20-22 weeks
    • 24- to 28-week gestational diabetes test
    • 36-week group B strep test and hemoglobin
    • 41-week visit, including a non-stress test and Amniotic Fluid Index
  • We encourage all clients to read this consensus statement from several leading organizations representing experts in maternal care and public health, including the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), regarding the COVID-19 vaccine for those who are pregnant. Please see your midwife with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Current evidence shows pregnancy and recent pregnancy put you at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and it is recommended that higher risk individuals and those they live with take additional precautions to protect themselves from getting COVID-19, such as wearing well-fitting masks with higher levels of protection.

Any questions about our COViD-19 policies and practices can be directed to info@theminnesotabirthcenter.com.