Covid-19 Update May 2022

Hello Strathcona Midwifery families,

Happy Spring! As we move through another stage of the COVID-19 pandemic we are once again shifting our COVID policies to reflect current public health recommendations and ensure we provide you the best possible care while keeping families, midwives and staff safe. We will also answer a few commonly asked questions below. Please read through this information carefully before contacting your midwives and keep in mind that these policies may need to shift again in the future should COVID infections rise once again.

Appointment Information:

Although the mask mandate has been lifted, masks are still required in health care settings and that includes within our office and the common spaces in our office building. There are many elderly and vulnerable folks who see the doctors in our building and we wish to keep common spaces such as the elevators and washrooms as safe as we can. Your midwife will be wearing a mask for all visits in the clinic and at home and during your labour and birth. We ask that you (and your family members) continue to wear a mask when we visit your home unless you are labouring. 

We also remind people that mask wearing in public remains recommended and is an effective way to protect yourself from the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports significantly greater risks of developing severe illness from COVID-19 for pregnant people compared to people who are not pregnant. Getting COVID-19 during pregnancy also increases the risk of preterm delivery and other pregnancy complications. Getting vaccinated, staying home when sick, visiting others outdoors or in small groups, wearing masks in indoor public spaces, increasing ventilation, and washing your hands are all important measures that will reduce the spread of COVID-19.

We are now welcoming ONE adult support person to your prenatal and postpartum visits. We still ask that you consider coming on your own or having partners/support people attend virtually when appropriate. We continue to ask that children remain at home.

This will increase the traffic in the clinic and in order to keep the number of people in the waiting area down, we ask you to please arrive on time for your visit. When people arrive early or late our waiting area starts to become quite full.  If you arrive to your visit and see that there are already 5 or more people in the waiting room please inform our administrators that you are here and wait outside the office for us to call you in. 

Apart from the initial phone visit, all our visits will now be conducted in person if that is your preference. We will continue to offer some virtual visits for those who request it or if you or members of your household are ill at the time of your scheduled appointment. Please DO NOT come to the clinic if you or a household member have ANY cold/flu or contagious illness symptoms, even with a recent negative covid test. We must prevent the spread of all infections through the clinic. If you have any cold or flu symptoms, please isolate and get tested for covid. Please do not come to the clinic if any household members have tested positive for covid, even if you have tested negative.

COVID-19 infection continues to circulate widely and there is evidence of a new wave and new variants emerging. We will continue to monitor the impacts on healthcare settings and on pregnant people and adjust our policies as needed. Stay safe everyone. 

Commonly Asked Questions:

Should I get my Covid booster?

Yes. We are recommending that all pregnant people follow the public health and SOGC recommendations and get their Covid vaccines and boosters. We recommend getting your booster as soon as you are eligible. You will be offered either the Moderna or Pfizer and either are an appropriate option. We do not recommend “shopping around” for an alternate booster vaccine option to what you are being offered.

Should I test for Covid?

If you have symptoms outlined by public health, or have had a close contact (not wearing a mask and within 6 ft) please get tested and isolate as recommended here.

When to get a Covid-19 Test - BC CDC

Where should I get a Covid test?

Book an appointment at a testing site near you. You can find information regarding testing sites here

Many testing sites are sending people home with tests to do themselves - if you test positive don’t forget to report it here

Should I inform my midwife if I am Covid positive?

Yes. However, this is NOT an emergency call, and you do not need to phone the pager number unless you have severe symptoms that require emergent care or have concerns that need immediate attention. If you have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic, please send our office an email to inform us that you are covid positive. We will discuss it at your next scheduled appointment. 

If your next midwifery appointment falls within your isolation window, please call the clinic and have your appointment changed to a virtual appointment. We will rebook you in clinic when appropriate.

What is safe to take in pregnancy to manage Covid symptoms?

Generally managing symptoms with natural remedies is best. Make sure you stay well hydrated and nourished and rest as much as possible. 

To manage fever and body aches it is safe to take up to 1000mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 6 hours. Please do not take Tylenol cold and flu as this has added ingredients that are not safe for pregnancy.

To manage nasal congestion use a saline nose spray (such as Salinex), and drink lots of water. 

To manage cough: drink lots of fluids and sip on warm tea or broth. You can use regular cough drops. Sometimes antihistamines can help with a cough, and Diphenhydramine (found in Benadryl) is safe to take in pregnancy. If you need to use a cough syrup, one with dextromethorphan (found in Benylin) will help if you have a persistent dry cough. If your cough is wet, do not use an expectorant cough syrup without talking to a pharmacist or midwife.

We wish you all the best during the challenging time.

The Strathcona Midwifery team.