from the genetic screen disease program
This COVID-19 surge is different – when you test positive for COVID-19, you no longer have to cross your fingers, hoping that it doesn’t get serious. Now, there’s more we can do. COVID-19 treatments are safe and effective for preventing COVID-19 illness from getting serious, and they are free, widely available! This is a game-changer for how we now navigate COVID-19 – COVID-19 medications such as the Paxlovid pill can stop the virus from multiplying in your body, help you test negative sooner, and may lower the risk of developing long COVID symptoms. You do not need to have insurance or US citizenship.
The majority of Californians still do not know that effective COVID treatments exist, are free and available, and are recommended for most adults and some teens. We hope to have your help with communicating to our communities ahead of the expected winter surges that, as soon as you start feeling sick, get a COVID-19 test and if you test positive, seek COVID-19 treatment right away. COVID-19 treatments, like the Paxlovid pill, must be taken within 5-7 days of when symptoms begin to work, so do not wait until your illness gets worse.
We hope these will be helpful as you let your community know to take these steps if they start feeling sick:
1. Get tested for COVID-19. Call the statewide COVID-19 hotline at 833-422-4255 or go to https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/ to find free COVID-19 testing.
2. Act fast to seek COVID-19 treatment if you have symptoms – COVID-19 treatments must be taken within 5-7 days of when symptoms start to work.
3. Isolate from others for at least 5 full days. Use the Personal Testing and Isolation Calculator to help you determine how long you should isolate.
4. Tell people you recently interacted with that they may have been exposed. You can do this by calling, texting, or emailing them, or notify them anonymously through the Tell Your Contacts website.
5. Call the statewide COVID-19 hotline if you need help with finding free COVID-19 treatment or want more information, at 833-422-4255.
The majority of Californians still do not know that effective COVID treatments exist, are free and available, and are recommended for most adults and some teens. We hope to have your help with communicating to our communities ahead of the expected winter surges that, as soon as you start feeling sick, get a COVID-19 test and if you test positive, seek COVID-19 treatment right away. COVID-19 treatments, like the Paxlovid pill, must be taken within 5-7 days of when symptoms begin to work, so do not wait until your illness gets worse.
We hope these will be helpful as you let your community know to take these steps if they start feeling sick:
1. Get tested for COVID-19. Call the statewide COVID-19 hotline at 833-422-4255 or go to https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/ to find free COVID-19 testing.
2. Act fast to seek COVID-19 treatment if you have symptoms – COVID-19 treatments must be taken within 5-7 days of when symptoms start to work.
- Call your health care provider or an urgent care center, or connect to a free telehealth provider today by visiting www.sesamecare.com/covidca or calling 833-686-5051. You can also find a Test to Treat location where you can get tested for COVID, talk to a doctor, and get treatment all at once by calling 833-422-4255.
3. Isolate from others for at least 5 full days. Use the Personal Testing and Isolation Calculator to help you determine how long you should isolate.
4. Tell people you recently interacted with that they may have been exposed. You can do this by calling, texting, or emailing them, or notify them anonymously through the Tell Your Contacts website.
5. Call the statewide COVID-19 hotline if you need help with finding free COVID-19 treatment or want more information, at 833-422-4255.
patient responsibilities
No in-person appointments for those who:
Have cough, chills, runny nose, fever, vomiting or diarrhea
If any of the above are true at the time of labor, a hospital birth will be required and we will transfer your care to the hospital.
Have been exposed to someone positive for Covid-19 within 10 days. Take a Covid-19 test 5 days after exposure and watch for symptoms until 10 days after you had close contact with someone with Covid-19. If on day 5 you test negative, you can leave your home but will not have in-person visits and should continue to mask through day 10 and watch for symptoms.
Please notify us immediately if you or someone you have had close contact with develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 10 days so we can make arrangements for your care.
Home birth limitations:
If the birthing person tests positive for Covid-19 (regardless of symptom severity) they must be symptom free for 10 days and have 10 days from a known exposure and have a negative Covid-19 test to have an out of hospital birth. Temperatures will be taken of everyone present during labor. If the laboring person has an elevated temperature during labor they will be transferred to the hospital. If anyone present during labor has an elevated temperature, they will be asked to leave. The laboring person, partner or kids do not need to wear a mask as long as they have quarantined for 10 days before labor and are negative for Covid-19. You have the option for your Midwives to wear a mask at your birth. We recommend limiting visitors in the postpartum and request visitors observe quarantine for at least 10 days before visits.
Complications and emergencies:
In the event of a surge of sick people in our local area, ambulances may be overwhelmed and potentially even unavailable entirely requiring the birthing person to transport to the hospital in private car. Depending on the situation this might not be ideal and has the potential to negatively affect outcomes.
Hospital transfer policies:
Most hospitals are letting the partner and doula for labor support. The doula will need to present their doula certificate. Fertile Moon Midwives are not able to transfer to the hospital with our clients. Hospital policies are subject to change and we can not guarantee who will be allowed into the hospital at your time of birth.
Have cough, chills, runny nose, fever, vomiting or diarrhea
If any of the above are true at the time of labor, a hospital birth will be required and we will transfer your care to the hospital.
Have been exposed to someone positive for Covid-19 within 10 days. Take a Covid-19 test 5 days after exposure and watch for symptoms until 10 days after you had close contact with someone with Covid-19. If on day 5 you test negative, you can leave your home but will not have in-person visits and should continue to mask through day 10 and watch for symptoms.
Please notify us immediately if you or someone you have had close contact with develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 10 days so we can make arrangements for your care.
Home birth limitations:
If the birthing person tests positive for Covid-19 (regardless of symptom severity) they must be symptom free for 10 days and have 10 days from a known exposure and have a negative Covid-19 test to have an out of hospital birth. Temperatures will be taken of everyone present during labor. If the laboring person has an elevated temperature during labor they will be transferred to the hospital. If anyone present during labor has an elevated temperature, they will be asked to leave. The laboring person, partner or kids do not need to wear a mask as long as they have quarantined for 10 days before labor and are negative for Covid-19. You have the option for your Midwives to wear a mask at your birth. We recommend limiting visitors in the postpartum and request visitors observe quarantine for at least 10 days before visits.
Complications and emergencies:
In the event of a surge of sick people in our local area, ambulances may be overwhelmed and potentially even unavailable entirely requiring the birthing person to transport to the hospital in private car. Depending on the situation this might not be ideal and has the potential to negatively affect outcomes.
Hospital transfer policies:
Most hospitals are letting the partner and doula for labor support. The doula will need to present their doula certificate. Fertile Moon Midwives are not able to transfer to the hospital with our clients. Hospital policies are subject to change and we can not guarantee who will be allowed into the hospital at your time of birth.
MidwiVES responsibilities
The Midwives at Fertile Moon Midwifery have received the Covid-19 vaccine. However, those vaccinated can still be a carrier of the virus or become infected with Covid-19 variant strains. If your Midwives have Covid-19 symptoms we will cancel all appointments until medically cleared to begin seeing clients again. If your Midwives have known exposure to anyone with symptoms they will observe the necessary time of quarantine. If your Midwives must cancel they make every effort to find you another Midwife or arrange to see you virtually (if virtual care is appropriate for your situation and possible for your Midwife). If your Midwives are not able to be at your birth, we will arrange for another team of Midwives to be present at your birth. It is possible that during a pandemic several of the local Midwives could be sick and there may not be enough Midwives for all the births. We will do our best to cover each other’s practices in this situation, but if no home birth Midwives are available at the time of your birth a hospital birth will be required.
the clinic
Treatment Rooms:
All treatment rooms have a HEPA air filter, hand sanitizer and disinfected equipment with a germicidal EPA wipe approved for COVID-19. All Midwives wear a K-N95 mask for all personal contact and maintain 6' distance during the appointment until the physical exam.
Patients:
All patients are required to wear a mask. Kids and partners are allowed to attend appointments but must remain masked at all times.
All treatment rooms have a HEPA air filter, hand sanitizer and disinfected equipment with a germicidal EPA wipe approved for COVID-19. All Midwives wear a K-N95 mask for all personal contact and maintain 6' distance during the appointment until the physical exam.
Patients:
All patients are required to wear a mask. Kids and partners are allowed to attend appointments but must remain masked at all times.
Covid-19 pregnancy Resources
If you suspect you have been exposed or have symptoms:
CDC Resources on Vaccines and Fertility:
ASRM Resources on Vaccines and Fertility:
ACOG Resources on Vaccines and Pregnancy:
CDC Resources on Vaccines and Fertility:
- COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding
- COVID-19 Vaccines PSA: Fertility – Dr. Katie – YouTube
- COVID-19 Vaccines PSA: Fertility – Dr. Walters – YouTube
- Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines – CDC
ASRM Resources on Vaccines and Fertility:
- COVID-19 Study on Fertility and Vaccines
- COVID-19 Joint Statement regarding COVID-19 and Male Fertility
ACOG Resources on Vaccines and Pregnancy:
By signing the Informed Choice Disclosure For Midwifery Care and Home Birth Document, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions which will continue to change per the CDC, ACOG and WHO recommendations.
Please check this page regularly for updates. Last updated 12/6/2022
Please check this page regularly for updates. Last updated 12/6/2022
