Social Distancing Doula (Covid-19)

As a global pandemic comes to a town near you, babies will still be born. The majority of them will be delivered at hospital centers in the United States- precisely the places where those who are most sick will go to seek relief and lifesaving health care from the effects of Covid-19. As a doula, the principles of social distancing feel rather strict, keeping physical distance and touch to a minimum are somewhat counter to what most doulas do in their work.

Added to this is the perception that pregnant people and elderly are typically populations most at risk for contracting viral infections. This is certainly true for flu viruses, but what about Covid-19? According to the CDC’s recommendation, regular precaution should be taken though it can be noted that “Pregnant women experience immunologic and physiologic changes which might make them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections”. My experience with expecting mothers is that pregnancy already makes us cognizant of the “insignificant” but meaningful measures we take to stay healthy. An example is fully washing hands, and noticing where coughs and sneezes are directed when they occur. Since it is thought that this respiratory virus is spread through droplets in the air, distance (6 feet or more) and washing are important.

But what about labor and delivery? What about the professional(s) you’ve contracted to help you through birth? We are part of an intimate team helping you through an intimate and challenging period. How can you feel sure your doula and your other care-providers are taking every precaution to prevent unnecessary exposure? After contemplating the “new world” of social distancing and doing our part even as healthy populace to stem the spread of the Corona Virus, I’ve come up with a few suggestions. In addition to the expected extended personal space and washing of hands, consider:

1- Doulas, change your behavior. Perhaps while you’re on call for clients you SHOULDN’T go to the music fesitval or the elementary school chorale. These obviously can be hard choices, but worthy of considering when contemplating where you could become an asymptomatic carrier.

2- Doulas, change your clothes. Many of us already do this- wearing particular clothes and shoes to birth settings helps us distinguish ourselves from an emotional support person in the room. Having a dedicated outfit prepared to wear to the hospital/birth center decreases the chances of carrying particles into the birth room from the music fesival.

3- Doulas, wash your clothes. One thing I’m doing as I prepare to leave for a birth is to put a load of dirty laundry on my washing machine along side a clean outfit before I leave my house. Once I return, the laundry room is my changing room and a full load of wash is all set to get my hospital clothes clean.

4- Everyone, know your vectors. I may be aging myself here, but do you remember the game “Seven Degrees of Kevin Bacon?’ (I was only 3 degrees BTW). If you DID go to the music festival be aware of that as you enter other spaces, and be cognizant of the ways you can be potentially exposed to asymptomatic carriers. If you hear of someone who has been exposed- consider how you could have come into contact secondarily with the virus and whether you should be taking precautions for others’ sake.

5- Doulas, have a back up. This is not just professional courtesy, but for some person (pregnant or not) in a hospital setting you could save a life. Help flatten the curve. If you suspect you’ve been exposed, naturally communicate with clients and offer the back up doula. As birth workers, social distancing is also a way we can take care of each other.

I once conducted an exercise in “germ spread” with a class where we used UV reactive marker to see the invisible ways that we contaminated surfaces and ourselves. The results among our adult group were shocking, and we swear there was MORE marker ink at the end of the session than we had originally started with! It was certainly a lesson in how relevant and prevalent touch is as part of our culture’s language. Indeed it’s such a big part of what doulas DO! In addition to hand washing, think of other ways your doula can help keep you and others safe. If you’re a birth worker, let your clients know what you’re doing to help protect them and yourself/and family. Thinking of all the ways to protect each other is beneficial so that when the time for touch and closeness comes, you’ll all feel safe doing everything you can to protect that atmosphere.