How Can A Doula Support You, Even With Hospital Restrictions by Danielle loizou
Doulas are a critical part in a mother's support team, especially during times of heightened fear and anxiety, especially during a pandemic. Times are uneasy with things changing so frequently. It is of upmost importance that mothers are still getting the care and support they need during this time.
Doulas may not always be able to attend a delivery or even hospital visits however these are some ways a doula can help parents to prepare:
Schedule more prenatal meetings- social distancing procedures will be in place to protect all. If mumma is uncomfortable a phone or online consultation can be scheduled in lieu of in person sessions.
Discuss various scenarios and prepare a plan of action in relation to restriction changes, hospital birth support, quarantine etc.
Prepare birth partner in how to support the birthing person during labour and immediate postpartum
Food is always purchased through @thegoldenmoth and in such cases as lockdown, food and beverages (such as pre-made Golden Mama Mylk by @thegoldenmonth) can be left at the front door in order to sustain contactless servicing.
Laundry can also be a big part of helping a new mother during the postpartum period, especially if there is multiple children. In case of restrictions or lockdowns, laundry can also be left in a safe place at the front door and picked up, cleaned/folded and dropped back off.
Most importantly constant support via text, phone or email.
I'm Danielle loizou AKA Dani the doula (@danithedoula_) I am a full spectrum doula, I love to support and nurture people from fertility, pregnancy, birth through to postpartum. I am also a co-founder of The Adelaide Birth Hub, where we strive to connect mothers with an array of local Adelaide businesses that can help them through their birth, pregnancy or postpartum experience. After a long road of fertility struggles, I finally birthed my first baby. I was a ball of anxiety my whole pregnancy and when she was finally here, postpartum hit me like a ton of bricks. I had support from family and friends but felt lost, uneducated and confused. I barely managed to get through the first few months or so, second guessing everything and really not knowing what I was doing. It was rough, but it is what brought me here today. I googled "support person" for fertility, pregnancy, birth and postpartum and I came across a doula. It was then that I knew deep within my core that this was my life's calling. My journey all had a reason and that was to bring me to this work. To educate, empower and give mothers the tools to advocate for their own needs in any given situation.
If I can change one birthing persons journey for the better, than I am making a difference and that is my ultimate goal.