COVID-19 information
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus that experts believe spreads person-to-person through close contact. It can also spread through surfaces, especially if a person touches something with the virus on it then touches their mouth, nose or eyes before washing their hands.
Have questions about pregnancy,
labor and delivery during COVID-19?
Our experts have the answers.
Who can visit The Mother Baby Center?
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak we have to enforce restricted visiting standards. The visiting guidelines have been updated to protect all patients, visitors and staff. Below are the visiting standards based on your situation.
Visiting at The Mother Baby Center
Allina Health visiting standards:
- One support person is allowed per maternal patient stay, this includes triage, labor, delivery and post-partum areas. Compassionate Care Exceptions may apply.
- In addition to one the support person, trained doulas will be permitted for support during labor and delivery.
- Masks are required at all of our locations, regardless of vaccination status.
More information about COVID-19 from Allina Health: Allinahealth.org/coronavirus
Visiting the neonatal units
Children’s Minnesota visiting standards:
- Parents/legal guardians may visit 24 hours per day. For all others, visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- All parents/legal guardians must mask while in the facility, regardless of their vaccination status.
- All parents/legal guardians and visitors are screened for wellness daily and may not visit if they do not pass the wellness screening.
- No more than 3 people may visit at the bedside at one time. No more than 4 people total per day. This includes parents/legal guardians. (Note: Clergy are not considered visitors and may be present in a patient’s room above and beyond the limit of 3 people at the bedside, as long as they wear a mask and have passed the wellness screening.)
- Children age 2-17 must be from the same household as the patient in order to visit.
- Children under age 2 may not visit.
- Children age 2-4 will be allowed a one-time visit to meet their sibling(s).
- Children age 5-11 will be allowed one 30 minute visit per week.
Get more information about COVID-19 and visitor guidelines from Children’s Minnesota.
COVID-19 and pregnancy
While it appears adults with underlying medical conditions, including asthma and diabetes, appear to be at higher risk for severe coronavirus disease, as an expecting parent you may be wondering how does this virus affect pregnant women and their unborn babies.
What expecting parents need to know
Get the answers to commonly asked questions that expectant parents have about COVID-19. Read the article.
At this time, Allina Health and The Mother Baby Center have temporarily suspended water births.
A note for Allina Health obstetric (OB) patients
In an effort to limit your exposure to COVID-19 while continuing essential prenatal care, we are minimizing the need for in-person visits. We are making changes in our appointment scheduling for all low-risk, well pregnant persons.
- An initial OB visit with an OB provider.
- 20 week visit.
- 28 week visit.
- 36 week visit.
- Weekly visits from 37 weeks until delivery.
If you are a non-Allina Health OB patient
Call your OB team if you have any concerns or questions about your pregnancy or labor, or if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
COVID-19 testing
The Mother Baby Center will test all patients for COVID-19 who are 39 weeks or greater in their pregnancy.
As our commitment to keep our patients and staff safe, all patients who are 39 weeks or greater in their pregnancy will undergo COVID-19 testing prior to giving birth at The Mother Baby Center. Patients will be asked to quarantine themselves following their test.
COVID-19 testing will be by appointment only and is available for The Mother Baby Center patients and must be scheduled at select Allina Health clinics. For non-Allina Health OBGYN patients, we will accept tests from outside facilities.
Please contact your OB team with any concerns or questions.