Currently Edward-Elmhurst Health system is one of the few Chicago-area hospitals that is limiting women in labor to 1 (one) support partner. This forces women to choose between their partner and a doula to be with them during labor and delivery. This is an unnecessarily strict policy that harms women and is not in line with what the majority of hospitals in the area have done even in the face of increased COVID-19 cases in the community. Support my petition to show Edward-Elmhurst hospital that women deserve birth support from qualified doulas! 

This policy took effect on 12/28/21 and as of 1/12/22 has not been revised. Urgent action is needed as this affects laboring mothers every day that the policy is in place. I am due in February and have hired a doula to support me during labor but given this policy, I would not deny my husband the chance to be with me at the birth of our first child. This is an impossible position to put delivering mothers into.

The hospital has stated that the midwives, OBs and labor and delivery nurses provide high-quality care for laboring mothers but these providers do not stay in the room with the woman for the duration of her labor as they serve the entire unit. I hope this petition will encourage the hospital to revise their policy before I give birth but the sooner they act, the more women will be allowed a qualified support person during their labor.

Sources: Edward-Elmhurst visitor policy change: https://www.eehealth.org/-/media/files/edward-elmhurst/coronavirus/eeh-coronavirus-visitor-policy-restrictions.pdf

Comprehensive list of doula policies for 46 Chicago-area hospitals: https://birthguidechicago.com/covid-19-update-labor-and-delivery-policies-2/