Families deserve doula support during labor. Leading health organizations support families hiring birth doulas, and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses specifically states:

"“Doulas are not visitors and should not be blocked from caring for patients in the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum period. Most doulas have been contracted by patients weeks to months ahead of time and have established provider relationships. They are recognized by AWHONN and ACOG as essential personnel and part of the maternity care team,” said AWHONN member Nancy Travis, MS, BSN, RN, BC, CPN, CBC, Florida Section Chair.

Countless studies support the fact that women who hire doulas have better birth outcomes, you can find them & more evidence around doulas here:

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/

Our local hospitals need to adhere to the most recent informed guidance, and give families back their rights to having their birth doulas present at their labors.

Birth doulas would adhere to guidelines like social distancing, vigilant hand washing, and the use of masks when needed. 

We are not visitors; we are contracted, working birth professionals who best know how to help our clients achieve a trauma-free birth experience. We specialize in informed consent, in helping birthing people fight potentially risky routine interventions, & in helping women understand their bodies and their rights surrounding childbirth. We specialize in comfort techniques, physical and mental to lift a woman who is in her most vulnerable state. 

Families who hire doulas deserve to have them present if they choose/need a hospital birth!