Our ask is for Tri-Health Hospitals to lift their visitors policy allowing doulas to attend births along with the birthing persons selected primary support. Other hospitals have lifted their policies supporting the fact that labor and delivery units aren’t as critical or have as high of an ill-population as other units. Other hospitals have also implemented other safety measures and precautions to ensure safety outcomes for everyone. This includes wearing masks, bringing recent testing of C-19, and being screened for recent exposure. 

Clients deserve the support that doulas offer. ACOG states “Evidence suggests that, in addition to regular nursing care, continuous one-to-one emotional support provided by support personnel, such as a doula, is associated with improved outcomes for women in labor.” Although we’re in a pandemic, that does not mean we should create other hazardous circumstances that clients have to navigate with inadequate support. Their needs should not go unheard.