We hope you continue to stay healthy and safe during this pandemic. Our “normal” way of life is constantly changing due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Rest assured, Adoption Choices of Colorado is doing our best to supply you with updates to help prevent the spread of the virus while supporting the health and well-being of our clients, employees and communities.
You likely have lots of questions about hospitals and your birth plan during the Coronavirus, and we are here to help! We are still open for business and actively working to provide you with the best information and support possible.
Hospitals and Support
Last week, we featured information on how Adoption Choices is still open during this time. This week, we are continuing our discussion with common questions you, as a birth parent, might have regarding your birth and hospital plan during the Coronavirus. To further explore this topic, I invited Cassidie Reiman, Birth Parent Caseworker for Adoption Choices of Colorado, to share her insight on what to expect from hospital team members during this time and how we are able to help you.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015. Always having had a heart for adoption, working as a birth parent caseworker is her dream come true. She is also blessed to have personally adopted her own child in 2012, completing her family of five! Each day, Cassidie strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets.
TT: How can birth parents prepare their hospital plan during the Coronavirus?
CR: Have your caseworker stay in contact with the hospital to keep up with the ever-changing policies regarding COVID-19. Still make a hospital plan, but know that you may need to be flexible with the number of visitors and support people allowed.
TT: What if a birth mother tests positive for Coronavirus? Is her baby at risk? Is she still able to give birth at the hospital?
CR: Doctors don’t have answers to these questions at this time. Last I read, they don’t think COVID-19 passes through the umbilical cord. What little research we have suggests that a baby can become infected after birth, but there is not enough evidence to know for sure. However, the CDC discusses what precautions you should be taking during this time. Hospitals will not turn patients away because of COVID-19. Women will always be able to deliver at a hospital.
TT: What restrictions have hospitals put in place to help during the Coronavirus?
CR: These restrictions vary per hospital and are constantly changing. At the moment, the restrictions are that the birth mother is allowed only one person to be with her, but they must not have a fever or cough. They must have their own protective gear and can’t come and go; they must stay the entire time. Once they leave, they aren’t allowed to return.
TT: Will a birth mother still be able to have her birthing partner with her? Will a birth mother still be able to have visitors after the birth?
CR: Hospitals will not exclude fathers from the delivery, but no outside visitors except for one support person is still the policy at this time. The caseworker needs to stay in contact with hospital staff to stay up to date as policies may change throughout this time.
TT: How will the baby be delivered safely to the adoptive parents after birth?
CR: This also depends on hospital policy at the time. Some discharges may happen outside the hospital, but still on hospital grounds. Our Executive Director and Birth Parent Caseworker, Christy Ikeler, sent out a letter to all adoptive parents regarding possible protocol and visitor policy changes. During this time, it’s best for us to stay as up-to-date as we can.
TT: What extra precautions should a birth mother take during the Coronavirus?
CR: Follow the state and CDC precautions.
TT: Should the birth mother have a contingency plan for delivery?
CR: Just be flexible with the birth plan.
TT: How can a birth mother protect her newborn from getting sick/exposed with the virus?
CR: Hospital staff are trying to do this by limiting visitors and limiting the number of babies allowed in postpartum rooms.
TT: What else should a birth mother know to help her prepare her hospital plan during the Coronavirus?
CR: Good communication and education will help protect mom and her baby. Keep up to date with hospital policies for the hospital you plan to deliver at.
Important Reminders
Please be sure you are following the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) protocol to avoid exposure to the infection: avoid people who are sick, wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and avoid touching your face.
While the CDC has identified older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions to be at higher risk for complications from COVID-19, please keep in mind social distancing should be practiced to protect the health and well-being of you and your baby.
Being Prepared
As with most plans, they change. Currently, hospitals and your birth plan during the Coronavirus will likely follow the information and protocols above, but always check with your caseworker and desired hospital. Remember, we are always available to help you, talk with you and take care of your needs in the best way we can.
Please do not hesitate to call or email us at any time if you have any questions. Please rest assured that we are continuing to work for you remotely and will do everything we can to make sure your adoption journey goes smoothly. We will move through this challenging situation together. Stay safe and know that you can count on Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Adoption Choices of Colorado
Adoption Choices, Inc. is a private, non-profit adoption agency licensed by the state and leader in the adoption community. We have been assisting birth parents, children, and adoptive parents in Colorado since 2002. Our staff has a genuine commitment to providing an empathetic, empowering, and progressive experience to all involved in the adoption process. For more information on adoption please contact Adoption Choices of Colorado. We can be reached via our website or phone 303-670-4401.
About the Author
Taylor Tsakopulos, the bestselling student. She has interned locally in Denver and internationally in Dublin, Ireland, taken classes/workshops and worked odd jobs and yet always comes back to being a student and the desire to learn or create.
She is a jack of all trades (i.e. a Gemini). She is a Denver-based writer, creator, artist and student. A graduate from Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU).
When she isn’t creating content she’s off dancing and hiking. Always chasing after new things and experiences. After living and working in Europe, she is hungry for more.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!