Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
With Coronavirus things are changing daily so here at Parentwise we want to keep you up to date with how we are responding to it. From April 2021 our Birth Preparation classes have been running face to face.
Contents
Access to the most up to date information
In person Birth Preparation Courses
Are the Birth Preparation classes running in Exeter and Torbay areas? Yes the great news is we are back to face to face courses.
Since the Spring 21 COVID-19 restrictions were eased in England. However cases are high and rising, and because of that we believe that we need to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. This is why on your Parentwise course we are keeping in place key protections to keep you safe. While no situation is risk free, there are easy and effective actions we can take to protect ourselves and others around us. To keep you safe, we will be doing the following:
The Government announced, back in April, that twice weekly rapid testing is available to everybody. Pregnant women and their support people are advised to take up this opportunity and undertake testing twice weekly during pregnancy because this will help make sure any COVID infection is picked up early and managed. We recommend that anyone attending a Parentwise course should self-administer a COVID test (Lateral Flow) within 24 hours before a session.
Each participant should self -screen prior to leaving home for the Parentwise Course to ensure they do not have any of the following symptoms:
By committing to these guidelines, and asking you to follow it too, we can relax and enjoy being back at in-person classes and enjoying the sessions as safely as we possibly can!
Our top priority at Parentwise is helping all of our clients and staff to stay safe – but that being said, pandemic or not – our absolute priority is providing a safe space in which expectant parents can be assured of informed education, unconditional support and community. We understand how lonely and confusing it can be under normal circumstances throughout pregnancy, birth and the early parenting days – we will absolutely be here for you to help you stay connected, supported and to access the education Parentwise Birth Preparation classes excel at.
Remote Birth Preparation Classes Using Zoom
Parentwise is also able to offer Online Birth Preparation courses via Zoom if we are not able to run face to face courses. The Parentwise team has adapted the course to deliver the courses remotely when lock down started and the feedback we have had has been amazing.
How do I join a course via Zoom?
You will be sent a link 30 mins before the course via email and/or your closed course Facebook group.
Click on the link and follow the instructions to join the call.
If you have Zoom installed it will open automatically (download instructions below).
If you do not have Zoom it will open a web browser and you can join as a guest.
Will the content of the course be changed or shortened?
No, the course information will be the same as if it was delivered in person. However, some of the group role play activities have been adapted for a video conference.
What technology do I need to join a Zoom class ?
A laptop is ideal as it has a web cam, a microphone and speaker already set up. If you do not have a laptop you can also use a smart phone.
What is a video conference/Zoom
Zoom allows you to ‘dial’ into a conference using your device. If you allow Zoom to use your camera and microphone you will be able to be seen and heard by others on the call.
How do I download Zoom onto my laptop?
For a Laptop you can download Zoom and install it here: https://zoom.us/download
You will be asked to create an account. If you have an Microsoft (Hotmail, outlook, live) you can reuse that.
How do I download Zoom onto my phone?
Install the app in the usual way from the App/Play store.
You will be asked to create an account. If you have an Microsoft (Hotmail, outlook, live) you can reuse that.
Be sure to allow the device access to your contacts, camera and microphone.
Can I join without downloading Zoom?
Yes. You can use Zoom in your web browser and it does not require any download: https://zoom.us/join
Do I need to have a Zoom account?
No. you can join as a guest using Zoom in a web browser.
My broadband is very slow (less than 2mb download), can I still join.
Possibly but the video may be jerky. Please test it with a friend to see how it works for you.
Birth Preparation Course Reunions
Our course reunions have been resumed face to face and you will be informed of dates of reunions at the end of your course.
Contents
- Access the latest Information
- In person Birth Preparation Courses
- Birth Preparation Remote Courses
- Course Reunions
Access to the most up to date information
- NHS webpages – Coronavirus
- Joint information for pregnant women and their families from The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
- If you have identified as a contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid 19 please refer to the NHS guidance to see if you are exempt from isolation.
In person Birth Preparation Courses
Are the Birth Preparation classes running in Exeter and Torbay areas? Yes the great news is we are back to face to face courses.
Since the Spring 21 COVID-19 restrictions were eased in England. However cases are high and rising, and because of that we believe that we need to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. This is why on your Parentwise course we are keeping in place key protections to keep you safe. While no situation is risk free, there are easy and effective actions we can take to protect ourselves and others around us. To keep you safe, we will be doing the following:
- Only permit pre-booked clients to enter class to ensure we have the relevant contact details and can limit numbers to ensure social distancing measures can be honoured
- The wearing of face masks when arriving/leaving, moving around, group activities.
- Ensure all clients and teaching staff are spaced apart
- Clean all hard surfaces between classes
- Sanitise all equipment between classes
- Sanitise hands at the beginning and end of every class - hand sanitiser provided
- Ensure a regular cleaning regime for high traffic areas (door handles, bathrooms, hallways)
- Offer you pre-sanitised equipment for your own use when required in the sessions
- Provide hand sanitiser and ensure hand washing facilities are accessible
- Teach in person only where teachers and their households are free of any symptoms of COVID-19. Teachers will carry out Lateral flow test before each session.
- Good ventilation within teaching environments, leaving windows open so please bring layers , we don’t want you to feel cold.
- Make any appropriate amendments to class content to minimise risk
- Do not come to a session if you have had any symptoms of Covid-19 see check list below (if you do have symptoms you must follow the latest government guidance to self-isolate) We can set up a video link via Zoom/record the session, if necessary so you won’t miss out. Please give good notice for this to be set up in time.
- Respect the guidance in relation to the wearing of face masks whenever and wherever they are required. We ask to you to wear a mask on entering the building and during group activities when we are moving around. Otherwise masks can be removed when sitting if you wish.
- Sanitise your hands upon arrival and leaving class, when having refreshments and using the restrooms – there will be sanitiser available
- Bring any equipment to class that your teacher has suggested for your specific class i.e. cushion or pillows
- Adopt the ‘catch it and bin it’ method for all coughs and sneezes – and ensuring all soiled tissues, or other waste is collected and disposed of at home. Please bring your own tissues
The Government announced, back in April, that twice weekly rapid testing is available to everybody. Pregnant women and their support people are advised to take up this opportunity and undertake testing twice weekly during pregnancy because this will help make sure any COVID infection is picked up early and managed. We recommend that anyone attending a Parentwise course should self-administer a COVID test (Lateral Flow) within 24 hours before a session.
Each participant should self -screen prior to leaving home for the Parentwise Course to ensure they do not have any of the following symptoms:
- Potential indicators of COVID – 19 infection:
- A high temperature: this means a temperature of 37.8 or above or hot to touch on chest or back.
- A new, continuous cough: this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).
- Anosmia: Loss of or change in normal sense of taste or smell
- Persistent runny nose: this means a runny nose for 24 hours or more without another cause e.g. hayfever
- Sore throat: for 24 hours, severe and new onset
- Severe myalgia: all over body ache
- Been in close contact with / living with a suspected or confirmed case of Covid – 19 in the previous 2 weeks
By committing to these guidelines, and asking you to follow it too, we can relax and enjoy being back at in-person classes and enjoying the sessions as safely as we possibly can!
Our top priority at Parentwise is helping all of our clients and staff to stay safe – but that being said, pandemic or not – our absolute priority is providing a safe space in which expectant parents can be assured of informed education, unconditional support and community. We understand how lonely and confusing it can be under normal circumstances throughout pregnancy, birth and the early parenting days – we will absolutely be here for you to help you stay connected, supported and to access the education Parentwise Birth Preparation classes excel at.
Remote Birth Preparation Classes Using Zoom
Parentwise is also able to offer Online Birth Preparation courses via Zoom if we are not able to run face to face courses. The Parentwise team has adapted the course to deliver the courses remotely when lock down started and the feedback we have had has been amazing.
How do I join a course via Zoom?
You will be sent a link 30 mins before the course via email and/or your closed course Facebook group.
Click on the link and follow the instructions to join the call.
If you have Zoom installed it will open automatically (download instructions below).
If you do not have Zoom it will open a web browser and you can join as a guest.
Will the content of the course be changed or shortened?
No, the course information will be the same as if it was delivered in person. However, some of the group role play activities have been adapted for a video conference.
What technology do I need to join a Zoom class ?
A laptop is ideal as it has a web cam, a microphone and speaker already set up. If you do not have a laptop you can also use a smart phone.
What is a video conference/Zoom
Zoom allows you to ‘dial’ into a conference using your device. If you allow Zoom to use your camera and microphone you will be able to be seen and heard by others on the call.
How do I download Zoom onto my laptop?
For a Laptop you can download Zoom and install it here: https://zoom.us/download
You will be asked to create an account. If you have an Microsoft (Hotmail, outlook, live) you can reuse that.
How do I download Zoom onto my phone?
Install the app in the usual way from the App/Play store.
You will be asked to create an account. If you have an Microsoft (Hotmail, outlook, live) you can reuse that.
Be sure to allow the device access to your contacts, camera and microphone.
Can I join without downloading Zoom?
Yes. You can use Zoom in your web browser and it does not require any download: https://zoom.us/join
Do I need to have a Zoom account?
No. you can join as a guest using Zoom in a web browser.
My broadband is very slow (less than 2mb download), can I still join.
Possibly but the video may be jerky. Please test it with a friend to see how it works for you.
Birth Preparation Course Reunions
Our course reunions have been resumed face to face and you will be informed of dates of reunions at the end of your course.