These are unprecedented times. That’s what we’ve been hearing since March here in the United States. As a homeschooling mom my personal life has not been altered much by Covid-19. As a doula, however, I am feeling the effects of the disease on life as I know it. If you are (or were recently) pregnant, chances are good that you are feeling the weight of the corona virus as well.
Since March, most hospitals in our area have changed (and changed again, and again) their policies on the number of support people a birthing or miscarrying or stillbirthing mother can have with them. If you are pregnant you may be feeling anxiety over whether you or baby will contract the virus and about birthing in a hospital where Covid-19 patients are being treated. You may be concerned about the level of support you will receive if your support people can not be with you. There may be discouragement that the birth you envisioned or the birth experience you had with a previous child will have to be altered due to Corona virus policies and protocol.
Support following a loss
I feel for all families experiencing pregnancy during these unsettled days, but my heart especially breaks for those who have suffered the loss of a child through miscarriage or stillbirth in 2020. If you are grieving the loss of your sweet baby and need someone to talk to, please call me. I would be happy to be a listening ear and may be able to point you in the direction of other resources available to you.
Bereavement birth support
If you are facing a miscarriage, stillbirth, or a potentially fatal prenatal diagnosis, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or another birth or bereavement doula. Some hospitals and birth centers have been supportive of the use of a doula throughout the COVID restrictions and do not count a doula towards your personal support person limits. This means that, if your hospital is limiting you to one support person, a trained doula may be considered an allowed add-on besides your support person. Also, keep in mind that most facilities’ rules change as the Covid-19 infection rates increase or decline. We can always check with the hospital or birth center for up-to-date policies. Even if I cannot provide in-person support for your loss, I will do all I can to help you prepare beforehand. I can support you via phone and text during your loss birth. And, following your hospital release, support you in your grief and healing and recovery.
Traditional labor and birth support
If you are an expectant parent looking for doula support for your baby’s birth, or if you are trying to ascertain what options you have for your baby’s birth during this COVID time, please give me a call. I am trained and experienced in labor and birth and postpartum doula care and would be happy to speak with you.
