Information about Doula benefits

WOMEN DESERVE BIRTH SUPPORT! 
Pregnant women are being stripped of their rights in a very crucial time! Women deserve and need birth support persons throughout the ENTIRE birthing process.

Erlanger Health System has changed their policy back to 1 support person for birthing mothers. This is unacceptable for birthing mothers who need their partner and a doula for necessary healthcare. This recent change to the policy is restricting the support proven to give mothers desirable birthing experiences.

It is vital for birthing mothers to have the support that they are invested in. Evidence reflects that the benefit of having a continuous Birth Doula present during a patient's birthing, far outweighs the risk of not having one. The same way that you would screen additional staff or students in the birth room, screen the clients Birth Doula.

Whatever it has to take to ensure these women are able to have a healthy delivery physically and mentally.

The reality of COVID-19 is very serious. However, the reality of Postpartum Depression, Suicide and necessary care for maternal healing is also serious.

Erlanger Health System, please consider changing this policy back to where patients can have the most supported, successful and healthy outcome for themselves and their child's future. The major cities with heavy COVID cases, major hospitals--NEVER removed Birth Doulas. EVEN those in Tennessee. ESPECIALLY those in New York! Never removed Birth Doula support because the patient's births matter.

The choice to remove Birth Doulas from the birthing team is a scary thought for the future of our mothers, and their families. Postpartum is crucially impacted on how a mother has birthed her child, and if she is without her team of support there is a shadow of unknown over these impacted mothers futures.

Please consider recognizing your patients needs and change this policy to allowing Birth Doula support.