COVID-19 Response

Information for employees

WashU COVID infoBJC COVID INFO decision tool

OBGYN town hall: COVID VACCINE

Guidelines for patients

For the most up-to-date information, please see the CDC guidelines for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or caring for young children.

Electronic forms for patients during COVID-19 »

About virtual visits »

We know this is a scary and uncertain time, but we are here to help! Please speak to your care team if you have any questions. The guidelines below may change as recommendations change.

Updated: 11/18/2020

Informational Videos

Vaccine Registration open for all!

Pre-registration

Washington University employees: Please register through your emailed invitation.

Patients and community members may now pre-register for vaccination with BJC HealthCare and Washington University Physicians. People who pre-register will be contacted when their eligibility window opens and the vaccine is available.

Many counties and other health systems are also offering pre-registration. You are encouraged to pre-register with multiple providers and take the first opportunity to be vaccinated.

Pre-register online

Pre-register online with BJC HealthCare and Washington University Physicians.

VACCINE Registration Links

Pre-register by phone

Individuals without Internet access can pre-register over the phone by calling the COVID-19 Vaccine Line at 314-273-1252, 8 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday. Hold times may be long.

View the Public Vaccination FAQ Guide »

Other vaccination opportunities

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is now coordinating with the National Guard to offer mass vaccination events for those in the eligible categories.

St. Louis County is opening its first public COVID-19 mass vaccination site Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Florissant Valley campus of St. Louis Community College. Vaccinations are by appointment only for those in the eligible categories who have pre-registered on the county website.

For more information about eligibility and availability, please visit the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services and Illinois Department of Public Health websites.

General information

  • Washington University clinics and BJC HealthCare facilities have placed restrictions on visitors for both inpatient stays and outpatient appointments. Please see the latest visitor policy.
  • If you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath, please contact your physician’s office before coming to your appointment.

COVID-19 & PREGNANCY:

  • During pregnancy, your immune system changes and you can get much sicker than usual.
  • Preterm birth, when babies are born early, has been reported among babies born to moms with COVID-19.
  • We do not know if a mom who has tested positive for COVID-19 will give the virus to her baby. Data shows that babies did not test positive for COVID-19 if they were kept away from the mothers while the mother had the virus.
  • There is not enough information yet to know if COVID-19 can spread from you to your baby by breastfeeding. So far, the virus has not been found in amniotic fluid or breastmilk.
  • Babies and children do not appear to be at a higher risk of getting COVID-19. Children with COVID-19 typically have more mild symptoms with serious problems being rare. There is no information on the long-term health effects for the baby.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

  • To decrease your chance of getting or spreading COVID-19:
    • Avoid crowded spaces and social gatherings. Stay home as much as possible.
    • Wear a face mask if you must be in public areas.
    • Wash your hands well with soap and water and/or use hand sanitizer often.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Starting 2 weeks before delivery, usually around 37 weeks, we recommend:
    • Strict social distancing, staying away from anyone you don’t live with.
    • Do not leave your house unless you absolutely have to.
    • We will limit your visits coming into the clinic as much as possible.
  • All pregnant patients delivering at Barnes-Jewish Hospital will be tested for COVID-19 before delivery.
    • Your doctor’s office will order the test for you and send you to a testing site if you are scheduled to come in for either a C-section or induction.
    • If you should go into labor before your scheduled test, you will be tested once you are admitted to labor and delivery.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AND AFTER DELIVERY:
Labor and Delivery Visitor Policies have changed due to COVID-19 and are changing every day. Please check BJC’s coronavirus page for more information about the current policies.

Your health is very important to us. Please make responsible choices to protect yourself and our community. For the latest COVID-19 information, visit the CDC website. Please continue to check MyChart for important physician updates.

Washington University Obstetrics and Gynecology
General Obstetrics & Maternal-Fetal Medicine