Birthing Center Visitor Restrictions - Samaritan Health Services

Protecting Newborns, Pediatric Patients, Parents & Visitors

To protect patients and visitors during this time of high respiratory virus transmission in our communities, Samaritan Health Services will put visitor restrictions in place in their birthing units, effective Monday, Dec. 22, 2025.

All visitors must show no signs of illness. Visitors under the age of 12 are not allowed, except siblings of newborn or pediatric patients.

Visitor restrictions for all birthing areas of Samaritan’s five hospitals in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties will also include:

Labor & Delivery patients:

Obstetric patients may have up to five visitors – these must be the same people throughout the entire stay.
Midwives and doulas are not counted toward the five-visitor limit.
During labor, visitation will be limited based on the status of the patient; only one support person may stay overnight.
The partner and/or support person will be allowed at all times and is encouraged to support the laboring patient as appropriate.

Pediatric patients

Pediatric patients are allowed one support person and two visitors at a time – these must be the same two people throughout the entire stay.
Only one support person may stay overnight.

Infection prevention:

Any visitor who is sick will not be allowed to visit.
All visitors will be asked to mask during periods of high respiratory viral activity.
Visitors must sanitize their hands upon entering and leaving patient rooms.

These measures will stay in effect until rates of community spread of respiratory viruses drop to a lower level. Signage at hospital and clinic entrances will notify patients and visitors of the current masking policy. There may be stronger restrictions noted with signs for entering specific sections of the hospital.