COVID-19 UPDATE
Patients with symptoms can call the Mercy Command Center at 314-251-0500 and select option 1.

Questions not related to current patient symptoms call:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: 877-435-8411
Illinois State Health Department: 800-782-7860
Your healthcare team at St. Louis Women’s Healthcare & St. Louis Institute for functional medication is dedicated to providing you with the most up to date information from credible sources such as the CDC and ACOG (American College of Ob-gyn). While we are of course concerned about the repercussions of the COVID-19 virus in both our patient population and our staff we will not be driven by fear. We will continue to see obstetric patients and problem visits/emergencies. We encourage telemedicine visits for consults or problems that do not require a physical exam.

At this time, very little is known about COVID-19 in relation to its effect on pregnant women and infants. We do know that pregnant women are at greater risk of morbidity and mortality from other respiratory infections like the flu.

During pregnancy the immune system is naturally weakened to allow pregnancy to continue. As a result, pregnant women should be considered as an “at-risk” population for COVID-19. Children do not appear to be at a more increased risk than adults and the symptoms do not differ from adults although their course appears to be milder when infected.

It is unclear whether COVID-19 can cross through the placenta to the fetus. So far, in the pregnant women who have tested positive none of their infants have tested positive. There have been newborns that have tested positive in England and China but it is unclear if the infection was contracted shortly after birth or before delivery. The infants are reportedly doing well. In China there have been some babies born prematurely but again this is unclear whether this can be attributed to the virus itself. At this time the virus has not been isolated from amniotic fluid or breast milk.

80% of the cases of COVID-19 will be mild to moderate

14% will be severe

6% will be critical

As we learn more and more cases of babies being born to positive women recommendations will become more clear. For now, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists has not said that babies need to be separated from their mothers but suggest that such measures at least “temporarily” should be considered to reduce the chances of spreading the virus to their babies. The decision whether or not to breast feed should be made in coordination with patient, her family and her healthcare providers. If breast feeding is chosen diligent hand washing should be practiced. Face mask protection should be considered while feeding.

Please continue to follow the recommended precautions of hand washing, avoiding contact with sick individuals. If you experience a fever (above 100.4 F), cough or respiratory issues please call us and we can direct you to the most updated testing centers. Currently, testing is limited to individuals meeting the CDC criteria.

Please continue to use common sense when it comes to protecting yourself, your families and your unborn babies. Be safe!

Your St. Louis Women’s Healthcare Team
In an effort to protect our patients and staff, at this time we would like to limit the amount of traffic coming in and out of the office.

We are limiting the patients coming into the clinic to only patients that need hands on exams and ultrasounds. All Well Visits will be rescheduled or offered over video visit.

If you would like to switch your visit of any kind to video, please call our office at 636-449-4700 option 4.

If you have an upcoming appointment:
  • Please try to attend your appointment alone
  • All patients must complete the pre-checkin paperwork that is sent to you prior to your appointment via email or text
  • Do not come to our office if you have symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath
  • Do not come to our office if you have traveled to areas known to have COVID-9 or have been on a cruise in the last 14 days.
  • Do not come to our office if you have known exposure to someone diagnosed with COVID-19

We will have providers available via video visit for any emergencies after hours or over the weekend. The Exchange number is 770-985-7761 .



The first-of-its-kind full-service primary care, functional medicine, and OB/GYN healthcare practice designed exclusively for women in the St. Louis area.