Full Virtual Support
Virtual birth support is SOOOOO much different than in person birth support.
I’m sure you’re thinking “well duh, it’s not in person.”
Lately many birth workers have been offering full virtual support because of Covid, but there are some who have offered it the entire time they’ve been a birth worker. It can be super beneficial for rural areas, for people who don’t want any extra bodies in the birth space but still want that knowledge and emotional support, and for some it simply comes down to finances.
before birth
Many doulas (like myself) will offer virtual prenatal zoom calls. We will go over what you’ve learned in any childbirth classes you may have taken, any questions stemming from those classes that may haven’t been answered yet. We will go over comfort measures and I like to actually have my clients go through them on the call so that I know they’ve done them.
One of the worst things (or funny things depending on how you look at it) is trying to figure out a comfort measures position in the throws of labor. Sometimes yelling happens out of frustration because it is uncomfortable or you can’t get into the proper position, or your partner isn’t in the proper position. Whatever it is, practice positions BEFORE labor. Especially if your doula won’t be with you in person.
Another thing that doulas can do virtually is walk you through guided meditations and scripts. These are especially valuable if you go over the typical “due date” (even though first time birthers go into labor on average at 41 weeks and 3 days).
birthing time
The beginning of labor is very much the same as in person support. It’s a text or call to let your doula know that labor has started (or you think labor has started) and then keeping in touch throughout early labor. As labor progresses, with updates from you, your doula can make suggestions over the phone/text/FaceTime/zoom of some coping mechanisms, positions, or simply just words of encouragement.
During the actual birth, it is completely up to you how involved you want your doula. Do you want them on FaceTime watching and experiencing it with you? Do you just want them on a phone call listening to what’s happening? Or do you just want them waiting by the phone for a text or even photos after baby has been born? It is your birth experience, you are in control.
postpartum
Some doulas like myself, offer a virtual postpartum meeting to check in with you. How are things going? Are you eating? If you’re chest feeding how is that going? Do you need resources? Are you taking care of yourself? Many of these questions are asked of the partners as well (if applicable). It’s really a check in on how you and your family is going adjusting to this new little life you created and brought into the world.
a doula in your pocket is better than no doula at all
I know I’ve said is multiple times in previous blogs, but the fact that you’re able to still talk to your doula, still get recommendations, still get emotional support, and still be validated during the entire experience is invaluable. I mean sure, you can always call a friend. But are they knowledgable about all of YOUR options in the birth space? Are they FAMILIAR with routine practices and signs of normal natural labor? Are they going to answer your phone call at 3 am when you’re having surges but you’re not sure what is happening or what you should be doing (because we all know when the time comes, everything you learned typically just goes out the window)?
Probably not.
We don’t know what is going to happen with hospital and this virus. We don’t know when they’re going to open up to their normal operating allowance of support people. So why not make sure you at least have someone on stand by JUST FOR YOU 💕