COVID and Pregnancy

Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2023, 12:30-1:30 PM PDT

A conversation with Protect Our Province BC Dr. Susan Kuo & Dr. Genevieve Eastabrook, MD, FRCRC – Obstetrics & Gynocology

In honour of Mother’s day in May, Father’s day in June, and to all gender diverse parents, Protect Our Province BC is delighted to host a conversation between Dr. Susan Kuo and OB/GYNE Dr. Genevieve Eastabrook on Covid and pregnancy. The good news is we know more about Covid infection in pregnancy than ever before and hope this session will empower people who are pregnant or considering pregnancy with knowledge to help protect themselves and their baby. Dr Eastabrook is a subspecialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine and clinician-researcher, with a focus on medical complications in pregnancy, an interest in working with marginalized people, and an advocate for reproductive justice, and for the LGBTQ2S and neurodivergent communities.

“COVID-19 vaccination is safe during pregnancy and may protect newborns from infection, especially if vaccines are given in the second or third trimester. This is similar to what we are already doing with other maternal vaccines, including TDaP and seasonal influenza.” – Dr. Eastabrook

Below the following video link is an example of a letter that viewers could customize to ask for accommodations.

The following is not legal advice. It is simply an example of a letter that may be used to ask for accommodations.

The form is not a guarantee that the request will be granted.

Please consult a lawyer or legal clinic for advice about your particular situation.

Some clinics that may be able to assist include those listed on this site: http://www.bchrt.bc.ca/whocanhelp/index.htm

Dear (clinic or administrator),

My name is X and I have a X procedure scheduled on X at X am/pm in the X department/clinic.

I have elevated risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease as recognized by the Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/people-high-risk-for-severe-illness-covid-19.html

I respectfully request the following accommodations, which can be provided without undue hardship, to ensure that I have meaningful access to my medical services without adverse impact to my health, as protected by the B.C. Human Rights Code:

1. All health care workers in my presence and those providing care to me must at all times be masked in N95 respirators or elastomeric respirators;

2. I will be permitted to wear an N95 respirator or elastomeric respirator of my choosing in the hospital/clinic (as applicable);

3. I will be permitted to monitor the ventilation in the room and to bring and use standalone True HEPA filters to filter the air.

4. Health care workers and others providing care to me will refrain from the use of harassing or discriminatory speech directed at me and will not make complaints about the necessity of wearing a mask in my presence.

(Add any other accommodations required).

Please confirm in writing by x date that you will make arrangements for these accommodations for me.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.