Amidst the shifting precautions and recommendations in this time of coronavirus, it’s hard to know what is “safe” to do on a day-to-day basis, much less how to make big picture decisions about your pregnancy. You know, like whether or not to hire a doula during COVID!
I’ve been getting some questions on what an in-person doula-client relationship looks like during the COVID-19 pandemic, so I thought I’d cover how it looks in my practice, here in New Orleans at the end of 2020. Of course, this may change and adapt over time, as virus guidelines change.
As of October 2020, both birthing hospitals in Orleans Parish (Touro and Oschner Baptist) are still welcoming doulas to support laboring families (although in general, it’s just two support people…a partner/family member and then a professional doula). At home births, you can always have whoever will make you feel most comfortable (although you may of course choose to limit attendants at home births during this time, too).
I feel comfortable attending births during COVID, including in the hospital setting. I am a generally healthy individual, not in a high-risk group, and I have a number of privileges that will hopefully make it easy for me to access medical treatment if I were to contract COVID. These include white skin/privilege, private health insurance, comfort with self-advocacy in medical settings, and more. I know this is not the case for all doulas, many of whom are marginalized people, are completely self-employed, or have other health concerns, conditions or life situations that may make it harder to access care.
So, there may be some doulas who do not feel comfortable attending hospital births at this time. I completely understand and respect their decisions. I’m sharing this blog post merely to reflect on MY OWN practice at this time, and it is not meant to reflect on anything other than my own individual situation.
Below are the guidelines I’m working with overall, but I am always happy to adapt and adjust these to individual families’ desires. What is most important is what my clients are comfortable with. This is about you and what will help you feel safe and supported during your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, which is already happening under less than ideal circumstances.
Prenatally
Doula interviews can be conducted over Zoom, FaceTime, or in an outdoor setting so as to make it more easy to social distance. Phone chats are fine, too, but I do like seeing people’s faces (and think that it’s important for them to see my face before hiring me, too!), so I’m liking the virtual video interviews!
Ditto for prenatal meetings once I’ve been hired. I like to do one sometime in the 2nd trimester (or, if hired later in pregnancy, ASAP depending on estimated due date) and then another at around 36 weeks pregnant. These can also be done virtually, although I think it’s good to do one of them in-person (socially-distanced!) if at all possible, just to build the relationship between us a bit more before labor begins. NOLA has a ton of parks to meet in, but I’m also more than happy to meet in clients’ backyards or homes.
Masks? Yes, of course!
During Labor
I go on 24/7 call for clients starting at 38 weeks of pregnancy. I am happy to get COVID tested regularly during someone’s due time (38-42 weeks) if that gives them more peace of mind. Weekly would probably make the most sense.
I generally join people in labor when they feel like they need support, stay with them throughout birth, and then stay for about 1-2 hours after the baby is born. During COVID, I am planning to keep this general timeline.
It may happen that doulas are not allowed in hospitals, if cases rise further. In the event of this, I’m happy to labor with clients at their home and then provide virtual support when they move to the hospital. Masks always, including the whole time at the hospital. I am also happy to wear gloves or other PPE in hospital settings if the hospital requires or if the client prefers it.
Postpartum
I do one postpartum visit, generally within a week of birth if at all possible. For now, I think I’ll leave it up to clients if they prefer to do this one virtually or socially-distanced in person. I am happy to do either one.
Before COVID, I definitely held and cuddled babies when invited, but I don’t feel comfortable doing so right now (even with gloves and mask).
Masks? Yes, of course!
If you have any questions about what working together might look like at this time, I’m always open to chat. Virtual services are always open, regardless of location. Email me at carriemurphydoula@gmail.com.