A lot has changed during this pandemic, and that includes prepping for childbirth. But while it might not be what you expected—live tours of the delivery room and in-person classes are on hold for now—there are plenty of ways to prep without leaving home. At Monmouth Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health Facility, expectant parents are preparing virtually, by taking the Eisenberg Family Center virtual tour and classes that allow them to get all their questions answered before labor begins.
featured image via Monmouth Medical Center
Take a Tour From Your Couch
Since a pre-baby walk-through isn’t happening right now, Monmouth Medical Center created a solution for parents-to-be: The Eisenberg Family Center Virtual Tour. “It gives parents an overview of labor and delivery, our postpartum nursery unit, the NICU, and our Center for Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders. We show pictures of everything, we let them know what to bring, where to come in and what to expect while they’re here,” says Ana Pinto, MSN-RNC-CBC, Coordinator of Obstetrical Services at Monmouth Medical Center. You can take a look at the virtual tour here.
Virtual Learning for Mom & Dad
As you near delivery, there’s a lot to think about—especially about the birth and bringing home a new baby. Since classes typically held at hospitals are on pause, Monmouth Medical Center has taken them all online, available in English and Spanish. “We are offering virtual childbirth preparation classes, baby care basics classes and breastfeeding classes and they’re all done through Zoom,” Pinto says. “Each participant receives instructional booklets before taking each class to prepare for the Zoom session with a Monmouth Medical Center certified instructor”. Each session includes demonstrations and allows participants to ask as many questions needed to prepare them for an exceptional birthing experience”.
Adjusting for COVID
When it’s time to give birth, every hospital has adjusted to ensure the safety of patients and staff, and your OB will likely keep you updated as things continue to change. Currently, at MMC, no visitors are allowed but the hospital does allow one support person to come in with each birthing mom.
“Currently, expectant mothers are admitted through the Emergency Department. Both the birthing mom and her support person are asked questions when they arrive. Our intake staff takes their temperatures and gives them each a mask that they are required to wear throughout their stay. We will also take the support person’s temperature every six to eight hours while they’re here,” Pinto says. Monmouth Medical Center is offering a “drive-through” COVID-19 swab testing option for all expectant mothers who are 38 weeks, or later, pregnant. This allows for weekly testing until their delivery.
After birth, you’ll be discharged sooner than pre-pandemic—24 hours after a vaginal delivery and two days after a C-section. The day after you’re discharged, you’ll get a well-being call back to check in on how you’re adjusting. Pinto says while it may feel strange to be preparing and delivering during a pandemic, parents-to-be can feel confident they’re being well taken care of. “The hospital and the system are taking every single necessary precaution to keep them safe and keep us safe. They’re still our patients and we’re still offering the care we’ve always offered. We are doing our best possible to make them feel comfortable,” she says.
For more information on delivering at Monmouth Medical Center or taking their virtual tour or classes, contact Ana Pinto at 732-923-5024 or ana.pinto@rwjbh.org.
This post is sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health to help make every NJMOM her healthiest.
