Birthing in a Hospital in The Time of Covid
Things changed like an avalanche.
One day, birth preferences were being respected and followed and supported. And the very next day, hospitals were refusing a second support person, and in some states, even a primary support person.
It’s been whip lash for freaking months now of trying to follow what this virus is doing, trying to prevent the economy from collapsing, while babies are still being born around the clock.
Hospitals would keep going back and forth on whether doulas were allowed in or not. New York at one point, didn’t even allow partners in. A hospital birth that I attended before hospitals completely banned a second support person, was running off the lens of sheer terror.
You still have options.
BUT even during this crazy time, you still have options. You ALWAYS have options (unless it’s a TRUE emergency).
So what can you do if you’re giving birth in a hospital during Covid??
1. Control the ambience/feeling in the room.
This is one of the easiest things you can control. Dim the lights, play music, turn up the heat, or turn on the AC, place LED tea lights around the room. Really focus on the room being intimate and cozy.
2. Say no to an UNNECESSARY induction (some times it is medically necessary)
If your doctor is pushing for an induction, ask them what the medical reason is. Is the induction TRULY necessary for the health of you or your baby? Or is it your doctor trying to schedule when this baby will be born because of what’s going on in the hospital?
3. Stay home as long as possible (as long as it’s safe to do so).
This will reduce the amount of interventions in the hospital that they may push. Typically once you show up to the hospital, you are on their clock. They want you in and out of the hospital as quickly as possible due to the virus right now.
4. Trust your body and your baby.
Make this your mantra. The nurses are going to be thinking about so many other things OTHER than your birth preferences. And I’m talking about more than their usual multitasking that they’re pretty superb at. This virus is wrecking everyone’s mental health.
5. Advocate to have your doula attend your birth.
The California Department of Public Health release a statement recently SUPPORTING the use of doulas during labor/delivery as long as prior approval was had for the doulas attendance. If your hospital is still not allowing doulas, ask them why they aren't following the guidance of the CA Public Health Department. You can even print it out and take it with you to all of your appointments and make it known that YOU KNOW what they aren't following.
Focus on what you can control.
Because focusing on things you cannot, will do you no good. We/I want you to have the best birth experience possible. Whether that’s at your home, a birth center, or in a hospital.
It is still YOUR BIRTH EXPERIENCE.
You can still hire a doula for the emotional and mental support, we just might not be able to support you in a hospital setting depending on the hospital. You are still able to call and talk to your doula, they can still be in your ear with their doula voice telling you what you need to hear, or even sitting silently on the other line just holding space.
Doulas are good at holding space. Focus on controlling the controllables.