We are staying abreast of the local and national updates on COVID-19. As always, our highest priority is your health and safety.

As you know, the situation is evolving rather quickly, and we know that the potential impact of getting COVID-19 (not to mention the lifestyle changes we are making to help avoid it) can be very stressful. It is crucially important that now, more than ever, we treat each other with kindness and respect while we figure out what to do to keep ourselves and our families safe. We will make it through this.

Some good news! From the preliminary data, pregnant people who have contracted COVID-19 do not seem to be at greater risk of complication than other people in their demographic group. The most at-risk populations are older folks and people with compromised immune systems and respiratory issues. The infants born to people sick with COVID-19 have not had the virus at birth. This is really great news.

As a health care facility, we are always careful with cleaning and sanitizing the birth center, so know that we are continuing to be vigilant in this regard. In addition, we have made some changes that we are hoping will further decrease any risks to you. We have moved most of the toys out of the prenatal room, put away our selection of teas and snacks, and have hand sanitizer out and available for everyone to use at any time.

We ask that you help us as well. If you are having any signs of respiratory illness or fever, give us a call but don’t come into the office. We encourage you to reach out to your primary care provider for what steps you should take.

When you arrive at the birth center, please wash your hands with soap for at least 30 seconds.

Here are some ideas about how to stay healthy from our friend, Dr. Avril Swan at Whole Family MD:

• Wash your hands – NO JOKE! People ask me all the time how I stay healthy with so many sick patients. I wash my hands. Take 30 seconds, use soap and water, do it a lot. 
• Keep your hands away from your face. 
• If you can’t wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Can’t find it because it is all sold out? Make your own! 
• Engage in regular moderate exercise.
• Avoid sugar and processed foods.
• Eat plenty of immune-boosting foods such as mushrooms, onions, garlic, and veggies of all sorts. Drink green tea. Eat probiotic-rich foods. 
• Stay home when you are sick. 
• Cough into your elbow.
• Clean surfaces frequently.

And here is some information from Dr. Aviva Romm, a physician, midwife and herbalist.

As we get more information, we will share it with you. And if you have any concerns, please reach out. We are happy to talk to you.

Remember that walks in nature are safe, good for the body and good for the soul. Here are some great ideas for where to walk.

We are all hoping you find some peace in this stressful time.

Nancy Myrick, CNM

Director

San Francisco Birth Center