Thread by @CaliforniaCodes

Finally ready postpartum to share the #Covid mitigations we took during labor (planned C Section 9/28) in case helpful to other expecting parents who want to protect their families / vulnerable newborn. Trolls & minimizers will be blocked 🧵

Our efforts can be largely attributed to @michael_hoerger who wrote this fantastic thread

My checklist:

1. N95s on myself/ husband all throughout delivery/ anytime outside our private room

2. Extra individually wrapped N95s/ KN95s in a bag taped to private room door (30+ masks were taken by HC workers/ hospital staff entering room so being a lot!”)

3. Note taped to door “please wear a N95/KN95 entering this room to protect our high-risk family”

4. Levoit 300 plug in HEPA. I didn’t ask permission, we just plugged it into the room asap. To avoid pushback about surge issues, invest in a portable Powerbank with AC 🔌

5. Portable mini HEPA purifiers for stroller (not super effective, but we have x2 anyway 🤷🏻‍♀️)

6. Built PAPR Buggy following case study linked. We rolled baby out of hospital & rode elevators in it. This provides us peace of mind for our Pediatrician follow-ups, too👏

7. Baby required echocardiogram - we insisted techs/doctors in room wore N95s. Husband brought PAPR system & blew air at baby… prob placebo effect 🤔

8. Aranet4 to monitor CO2 levels in hospital & private room. Stayed at 600-800, not terrible. I would have complained if ⬆️

9. Sip airtight drinking valve strongly recommended (see ⬇️)

WARNING: I was never told planned C-Sections are not given private rooms at our hospital pre/post & required an observed recovery window (min 2 hours) in a triage shared room with flimsy curtains & 3 other patients 😤

Fought for private room pre-surgery & they complied, but post-op (while super drugged up), rolled into shared recovery room. Other patients unmasked, nearly all HC teams in surgicals, frequent foot traffic (food service, cleaners, supply refills, +1s who are not PCR tested).

Plugged in HEPA, PAPR air at baby & 🤞 we wouldnt get infected. 8 hr wait for private room bc full & kept my N95 on except for quick sips of water*
*Strongly recommend the Sip mask attachment because that would have given me way more protection. My newborn, on the other hand 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’ve now seen stories of *many* people infected while received medical care in hospitals/ HC facilities. If PCR- required beforehand, and PCR+ within days of leaving hospital, possible legal options? 🤔 it appears to be the only way to inspire change in these businesses

@UnrollHelper unroll please