Tennessee Family Doula’s top priority is the health and safety of our clients, their families and babies, and our Doulas. We are closely monitoring our nation’s developments related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and following guidance from local and state health officials and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To that end, here are some plans and preventative measures we have put in place:
Labor Clients:
We are in constant contact with local hospitals and birth centers regarding their policies regarding visitors in labor & delivery and postpartum wings. As of this March 20, 2020, this is the status of each policy:
Centennial - Limit of one visitor, who will be screened prior to entering the hospital. If symptoms of the virus are found, the visitor will not be allowed in. Children are not allowed to visit.
St. Thomas - Limit of one visitor, who will be screened prior to entering the hospital. If symptoms of the virus are found, the visitor will not be allowed in. Children are not allowed to visit.
Vanderbilt - Limit of one visitor, who will be screened prior to entering the hospital. If symptoms of the virus are found, the visitor will not be allowed in. Children are not allowed to visit.
Baby+Co - Limit of one visitor, who will be screened prior to entering the hospital. If symptoms of the virus are found, the visitor will not be allowed in. Children are not allowed to visit.
Williamson Medical - Limit of one visitor, who will be screened prior to entering the hospital. If symptoms of the virus are found, the visitor will not be allowed in. Children are not allowed to visit.
Please note these policies are subject to change at any time, however we are watching for changes and are ready to pivot as necessary.
EDITED: We are now only providing Virtual Labor Support for our clients during this time.
Our Doulas will continue current sanitary practices, such as washing hands immediately upon entering your home or hospital room and after using the restroom or touching their face. We will not send a doula who is exhibiting symptoms of illness, and we request you let us know if you or anyone in your family has been ill. In the event your doula is not permitted to accompany you to Labor and Delivery because of hospital policy, we have the following options available:
Your doula may come to your home to support you during early labor until the time you head to the hospital. Then your doula can provide virtual support via FaceTime, Skype or other video/audio platform during the remainder of your labor if you wish.
We can provide a comfort measures training for your support person, either at 40 weeks or in early labor, whichever comes first.
If you are practicing social distancing and would prefer, your doula may complete your prenatal visits virtually.
Postpartum Clients:
EDITED: We will only provide Virtual Postpartum Support for the first two weeks following birth. If, at that time, you have practiced self-isolation and are not showing any signs of the virus, we will consider in-person postpartum care at that time.
Our Doulas will continue current sanitary practices, such as washing hands immediately upon entering your home, after using the restroom, and before touching/feeding the baby. Our other updated sanitizing and health policies are as follows:
Your doula will sanitize frequently touched surfaces, remove shoes and/or change clothes as requested.
Your doula is practicing social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and will not come to your home if they or anyone in their family/someone they have been in contact with has exhibited viral symptoms.
We ask that you also let us know if you or anyone in your family/have been in contact with someone exhibiting viral symptoms.
In the event you need to quarantine, or if you prefer, we can offer virtual postpartum visits with your doula for support.
Childbirth classes:
We can provide virtual childbirth classes for those who have exhibited viral symptoms, or those who prefer because they are practicing social distancing or are quarantined.
Placenta Encapsulation:
For the time being, we are suspending placenta encapsulation services for all new clients. Placenta encapsulation guidelines require strict sanitizing and disinfecting, using many of the same products that are currently part of a shortage because of the virus. For our current clients who have contracted us for placenta encapsulation, we will continue to provide this service using all of our current strict sanitation protocols. In the event your hospital or birth center does not allow you to leave with your placenta, we will fully refund you for this service.
We will continue to assess and monitor the situation and will update our website and social media platforms as changes are made. We are here for you despite the pandemic and are privileged to be part of your birth and postpartum experience.