Pediatrics and Maternity Visiting Policies

What is the current visitor policy in Labor & Delivery and Mother Baby?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related patient safety concerns, we are taking precautions to ensure the safety of patients, support partners and staff. Two (2) healthy support persons, including a doula are permitted on the Labor and Delivery Unit for all admitted patients. We welcome support persons and doulas to accompany our patients in labor.  We value the role of the support person/doula in providing additional comfort and support to the laboring person. MSSN operates within evidence-based policies and guidelines for laboring persons to optimize a safe delivery for the patient and the baby.  We request that all support persons and doulas provide additional support and comfort to the laboring patient within the auspices of  MSSN’s policies and procedures.

Patients and support partners/doulas will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature check, when they enter the hospital. Support partners/doulas who are free of current symptoms of COVID-19 will be deemed healthy. These healthy support partners/doulas will be permitted on the Labor and Delivery Unit once the patient has been admitted. Support partners/doulas will be required to wear masks and personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Labor and Delivery, including immediate postpartum period: all birthing people may be accompanied by a doula in addition to their designated support person. Doulas are trained professionals who provide emotional and physical support to individuals during labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period. For the safety of the mother and infant during the current rise in Covid Infections, limiting one support person at the bedside is strongly recommended.
  
• A healthy patient’s support person will be allowed to stay with the mother until her discharge from the hospital
• Patient’s support person will be allowed to come and go to and from the hospital during the time of the patient’s hospitalization
• Patient’s support person and doula will be instructed to wear a mask for the duration of being in the hospital
• After delivery, the patient’s support person or doula will be allowed to stay with the patient on Mother Baby Unit until discharge
• When the patient is on the Mother Baby unit, an adult visitor (18 years of age and older) is permitted to visit from 12noon-8pm.
  
• If your baby is in the NICU, both parents will be allowed at the bedside.
  

Anyone deemed to have symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted on the Labor and Delivery or Mother Baby Unit. These precautions are to ensure that a safe environment is maintained for all of our patients, support partners and staff.

In the event your support partner is not able to enter the Labor and Delivery Unit due to a positive screening for COVID-19, you are encouraged to have another healthy support person that you can contact to be present with you during labor and birth. Your obstetric provider will discuss these options with you. A member of our team is always available to provide labor support to you on our Labor and Delivery Unit.

Will I receive COVID-19 testing?

Patients with a scheduled cesarean delivery, induction, or other procedure, will receive COVID-19 testing prior to admission. Each patient with a scheduled procedure will receive a phone call with information regarding the appointment time. You will receive symptom screening for COVID-19 when you arrive at the hospital on the day of your procedure.

If you do not have a scheduled procedure and arrive at the hospital for evaluation on the Labor and Delivery Unit, you will receive testing on the Unit if you are admitted.

What will happen following delivery?

If your support partner remains healthy, they will be permitted to stay with you and your newborn. You will be permitted to have an additional adult (18 years of age and up) visitor during visiting hours of 12noon-8pm. No siblings under the age of 18 are permitted at this time.

How will my newborn and I be kept safe while in the hospital?

We are committed to ensuring the safety of you, your support partner and your newborn. In addition to our screening procedures and COVID-19 testing for patients, all healthy support partners will be required to wear personal protective equipment throughout their stay on the Labor and Delivery Unit. Within our hospital, health care workers are utilizing the appropriate personal protective equipment in all areas.

What if I test positive for COVID-19? What happens after leaving the hospital?

You will be provided with instructions regarding the recommended care for you and your newborn while in the hospital. When you are discharged from the hospital you will also receive written instructions with information on caring for you and your newborn when you return home.

There are many resources for information and recommended care for patients with COVID-19. The Mount Sinai Health System provides valuable information which can be found here.

The best resource for information on COVID-19 is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Comprehensive information can be found here.

Is there support available if I have questions or concerns?

Yes, we are here for you. Please feel free to contact your obstetric provider for any questions or concerns. In addition, our Obstetric COVID-19 Patient Support Team is available for you.

To reach a patient’s room, call (516) 632-3000.

Pediatric Unit Visitation Policy

• Each pediatric patient (under 18 years of age) may have two (2) healthy adult parents/caregivers remain with them throughout their stay.
• Each pediatric patient (under 18 years of age) may have one (1) healthy adult visitor at a time, with a maximum of two (2) visitors per patient per day in addition to one of the two designated support persons/caregivers, maintaining the maximum of two (2) people at the bedside at a time.
  
• Parents/caregivers will participate in COVID screening questions and temperature checks upon arrival
  
• Parents/caregivers are required to wear a mask and applicable PPE
  
• Parents/caregivers must remain in the child’s room
  
• If parent/caregiver does not meet COVID screening criteria, they will be asked to leave, but an alternate healthy adult caregiver of their choosing may then stay with the child
  
• The designated adult will then receive COVID screening and temperature checks upon arrival
  

Learn More

Parent-child education, for mother and family before and after birth
Lactation (breastfeeding) Resource Center
Expert care for high-risk pregnancies
Tour our Maternity Unit
Sign up for our Online Prepared Childbirth eClass
Obstetrics Visitor Policy During COVID-19 (FAQ)