Today we are talking about the impact COVID-19 is having on the birth world. Hospital policies seem to change daily and restrictions are being put in place to limit the number of people allowed to support the birth giver, in most cases to just one support person. How should you navigate these constant changes as a birthing parent and as a birth professional? Listen in as we dig deep and talk about the things we are seeming and how we are working through them. 

Birth Monopoly put out a great list of resources lately of policies and guidelines from reputable organizations that you can use to help advocate for lower restrictions on doulas, here is the list but we encourage you to go to their website for even more detailed information. 

– Community letter to hospitals [link]– AWHONN position statement on continuous support [linked above and here]– WHO (World Health Organization) brief on “Companion of choice during labor” [link]– DONA (Doulas of North America) recommendations on “COVD-19 & Doulas” [link]– ACOG and SMFM (Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine) guidance for providers on treating pregnant patients suspected of or confirmed to have the virus [link]– CDC recommendations for treating patients suspected of or confirmed to have the virus [link]– CDC recommendations for inpatient obstetric healthcare settings [link]– DONA letter to hospitals [link]– ACOG practice advisory on COVID-19 [link]– ACOG committee opinion on “Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth” [link]