Welcoming Baby During COVID-19

Traffic jam, snow storm or COVID-19, no matter what’s going on in the world, babies still need a place to be born. And, although COVID-19 has disrupted our lives in countless ways, expecting families can feel reassured they will receive top-notch care during the birth of their little one at the Overlake Childbirth Center.

“We have been working really hard—not only to keep our patients and staff safe—but also to keep the sense that this is your special time. We want you to enjoy your birth experience,” says Sandy Salmon, director of Women’s and Infants’ Services at Overlake.

Kellie Langenhop, who delivered her baby at Overlake during the pandemic, says returning for the birth of their second child was the best decision she and her husband could have made.

“When we found out we were pregnant again, we had about a month of excitement before COVID-19 shut the world down,” explains Kellie. “We faced endless uncertainties, except for one: We would be delivering our second baby at Overlake. We knew we would receive excellent care at a time when it mattered most.”

Safe in Our Care

Overlake is following the most up-to-date guidelines to care for both moms and babies. Visitors are limited; rooms, equipment and common areas are cleaned frequently and thoroughly; and staff are screened before their shift to make sure they are healthy. While patients don’t have to be masked inside their rooms, staff members remain in masks and protective eyewear throughout their shift to limit any potential spread of infection.

In addition, the Childbirth Center is physically separated from patients being treated for COVID-19, so staff are able to stay extra safe in order to take great care of moms and our tiniest patients.

And, for moms who have ongoing breastfeeding needs after going home, the Mom & Baby Care Center remains open and is a safe place to come with your baby.

Childbirth & New Parent Classes Go Virtual

Early in the pandemic, Overlake quickly transitioned from in-person to virtual classes and support groups. These classes, available from the comfort of your home, prepare you for birth and help you connect with other moms after you’ve had your baby.

Kellie and her husband were one of the first couples to attend one of the virtual classes. “We did not feel like we missed anything being virtual,” says Kellie. “In fact, in was nice to be in our living room for it.”

The popular After Baby Comes support group meets weekly, so you can get much-needed support from a registered nurse who is a lactation consultant, as well as the support of other moms who are in the same life stage during this challenging time.

“I cannot overstate what a difference it made in my mental health. With the group still operating virtually, I’ve been able to attend without having to load up the car and go anywhere,” adds Kellie.

New Childbirth Center Now Open

The new, beautiful Childbirth Center spans two floors of the new tower, featuring spacious childbirth and recovery rooms. For parents and infants who need special care, the new center includes dedicated rooms for moms who require medically supervised bedrest and additional NICU rooms designed to accommodate newborn twins. Read more on the new features of the Childbirth Center.

Learn more about the Overlake Childbirth Center.