I am a doula. Last week, I had to tell my client – who was 41 weeks pregnant and experiencing contractions – that I would be unable to attend her birth. 

Our local hospital in my home state of Maryland put a rule in place that birthing people are only allowed one "visitor" in the delivery room. Of course, a partner will take this place in most cases. But our Maryland hospital considers doulas “visitors,” too. 

It was a devastating blow to my client and myself. Doulas are hired professional birth support that provide care during the prenatal period as well as during birth and postpartum – and they shouldn’t be considered visitors. 

Banning doulas strips birthing people of the one constant in labor in delivery. We as doulas establish relationships with our clients weeks to months in advance. They are comfortable with us, they rely on us for advocacy and informed decision making. Doulas are responsible for a 39% decrease in c-sections and other unnecessary medical interventions. 

We understand that this is a response to increasing COVID-19 cases. But doulas know the importance of flattening the curve and slowing the spread. As the CDC stated, "If restrictions of visitors is implemented, facilities can consider exceptions...when a visitor is essential for the patient's well-being and care." Doulas are essential to many birthing people – and they should be treated as such by all hospitals. 

Now more than ever doula support is needed. The statistics show that doulas can help make birth safer as well as help births proceed quicker and with less interventions, both of which can shorten a family's hospital stay and possible exposure to the COVID-19 virus and other illnesses. We also have to consider that as this pandemic goes on, that medical staff will become thin and overworked. Doula staff can help alleviate the burden on them. Considering doulas can decrease the need of cesareans, which require 3-4 times more staff than a vaginal birth, it is apparent that doulas should not be excluded from births. Doulas should not be viewed as a disposable presence at a birth but a necessary resource to help ensure healthier outcomes for the families they serve as well as an asset to the medical staff. 

Sign to help us send a message to Gov. Larry Hogan: professional doulas must be considered an essential part of the birth team and not be restricted from entering Maryland hospitals.