The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is now recommending that pregnant health care workers in direct patient contact roles may want to consider self-quarantine and/or removal from a direct-patient-care role for at least 14 days prior to anticipated delivery.

"As a risk mitigation strategy, removing pregnant health care personnel from direct patient care where there is a higher risk of exposure may be considered once they reach 37 0/7 weeks gestation (or at least 14 days before anticipated delivery) to reduce the risk that the pregnant health care personnel would be infected at the time of delivery. This risk mitigation approach has the potential to reduce the chance that pregnant health care personnel and their neonates are considered persons under investigation (PUI) at the time of birth, and potentially reduce the need for significant health care resources. This consideration would be most effective if risk of exposure is minimized, which may include self-quarantine until delivery to the extent possible. Pregnant health care personnel may continue to work in patient-facing roles until their delivery if they chose to do so."

https://www.acog.org/clinical-information/physician-faqs/covid-19-faqs-for-ob-gyns-obstetrics

If you are pregnant and in a direct patient care role, please discuss this with your health care provider to determine what approach is best for you.

If you would like to request a job accommodation for pregnancy or any other risk factor related to COVID, please contact Human Resources at HRStaff@valleymed.org to start the request process. Thank you!