Having a baby

COVID-19 Information and Resources for Expectant Parents

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Having a baby when you have or suspect you have COVID-19

This information was created for people having a baby during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Ottawa Hospital has taken all possible precautions to create a safe and supportive environment for families having a baby during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  • Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for infants.
  • As of now, studies say that COVID-19 is not frequently passed through breastmilk.
  • Wash hands and breasts carefully with soap and water before breast feeding, expressing milk or pumping your breasts.

Newborns have immature immune systems which makes them at a higher risk of serious respiratory viral infections. There is some evidence that infants can suffer severe or life-threatening illness with COVID-19.

You are welcome to have a healthy support person stay with you in hospital. A healthy support person is a non-exposed caregiver friend or family member, chosen by you. This person would replace your partner/significant other. Your support person must always stay in your room and always wear personal protective equipment.

A support person or alternate caregiver should bring:

  • Clothing and other necessary personal items.
  • Food, drinks and snacks.
  • Toiletries.
  • Medications.
  • Car seat.

You are welcome to breast feed your baby, or your expressed breast milk or formula can be provided to your baby by the caregiver.  

When providing care to baby, please use the following safety steps:  

  • Before touching your baby, you should wash your hands very well with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your face when holding or caring for your baby.
  • Wear a surgical mask:  
    • When touching your baby.
    • When the baby is less than six feet from your face. 

If you are unwell from COVID-19 illness, your baby may be cared for in the Special Care Nursery or the NICU nursery.  Your expressed breast milk or formula will be provided to the baby by the nurse.

  • You will be discharged at the same time as your baby.
  • Please purchase medical masks to use at home.
  • Your initial maternal/newborn follow up will be scheduled at the Monarch C19 Clinic at The Ottawa Hospital.

You should follow safety steps until you have completed the isolation period as recommended by Ottawa Public Health. This could be about ten days or longer.

The Monarch C19 Clinic

Postpartum and Newborn Care for Families affected by COVID-19

The Ottawa Hospital has opened a temporary clinic to provide care to moms and their newborns who have a known or suspected COVID-19 infection or who have been in contact with someone with a COVID-19 infection.

This clinic is a safe place specifically designed for moms and newborns to receive essential care from our experienced health-care team. We have taken every precaution to ensure that the staff, our patients, and their newborns will be safe and well supported to have the best start possible.

Moms and babies will be followed until such time as they are well and able to seek their usual community-based care, ensuring a smooth transition through the newborn and postpartum period. The clinic is modeled on the successful Monarch Centre.

Talk to your obstetrics provider for more information if you think this program might help you and your newborn. 

Resources

Virtual Tour – Delivering at The Ottawa Hospital General Campus during a Pandemic

Virtual Tour – Delivering at The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus during a Pandemic