COVID-19 Frontline Doulas Update
Letter from the Directors
COVID-19 UPDATE AND OPENING ENROLLMENT FOR FALL 2020 DUE DATES
April 14, 2020
As a small grassroots organization, with a dedication to the fidelity of our program, we had to consider sudden changes to hospital and home visitation polices. This has led us to adjust our enrollment guidelines to serve families whose estimated due dates (EDD) fall between Sept. 1st - Nov. 30th 2020.
In the Fall, our doulas will be more likely to serve clients both face to face and via tele-health as needed. We are continually advocating for doulas’ presence as essential support people and are confident that doulas will return to patient’s bedside soon.
Clients who wish to enroll whose EDD are between Sept. 1st - Nov. 30th may contact us starting June 1st.
If your EDD fall outside of our program dates, you are currently pregnant, African-American and live in Los Angeles, you are welcomed to contact us for community referrals to FREE VIRTUAL doula programs and FREE online childbirth education. If you are a single parent with NO support person, please indicate that on your “Request a Doula” form. PLEASE REVIEW OUR COMMUNITY INFO PAGE.
March 14, 2020
Greetings Dear Families,
The wellbeing of the community is our priority. We have been closely following the impact that coronavirus (COVID-19) has had on maternity wards and expecting families. With the rapid escalation of COVID-19, and the heightened level of concern, birthworkers and expecting parents are facing temporary changes to the structure and delivery of doula services.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals have decided to limit visitors to one person and although technically doulas are not visitors, they are indeed being refused entry, unless there is no partner or other preferred family or individual.
At this time, we are pausing enrollment, and will be reassessing the current state of affairs, weekly. Once we have resumed enrollment, we will contact you regarding your eligibility and matching you with a doula. We are hoping and praying, with everyone else, that things resume to normal, as soon as possible.
THE GOOD NEWS… In the meantime, we have created a private access page of information for those who have requested a Frontline Doula and registered with our wait list. Even if we can’t be by your side, we want to make sure you have some guidance to assist in navigating the hospital environment and help you feel calmer and prepared for birth.
If you are a pregnant person who has requested our services, we will reach out to you and send your our client portal link. From there, follow the guidelines on the page and once you have completed them, we are offering FREE BIRTH PLAN CONSULTATION. If you are interested, call (310) 817 0551 and leave us a message indicating that you want to schedule a birth plan consultation.
If you want general information about COVID-19 specific to pregnancy and breastfeeding, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has published coronavirus (COVID-19) information specific to pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is wise to become familiar with the FAQs and pay attention to recommendations from your local health departments. We also thought you might appreciate this information about the Coronavirus and Pregnancy from midwife Aviva Romm: https://avivaromm.com/covid-19-pregnancy-breastfeeding/
Lastly, despite all of the uncertainties at this time and any disappointment you might feel around not having in-person doula support, we want to remind you that women have been birthing since the beginning of time. Your body is intelligent and has coded wisdoms within, which know what it needs to do to birth your baby into the world. Trust your intuition, ask questions if you have them, speak up for yourself if something feels off. If you suddenly feel the need to change positions or move around, do it and let your partner and the hospital staff know if you need assistance. Most importantly, and this may seem impossible or even unreasonable, allow your body and mind to relax, as often as possible. High levels of stress /fear/ anxiety/ tension can make your body tight and tense. During childbirth, a relaxed state allows the mind and body to flow through the birth process with more ease. Here is an exercise that can help you get into a nice place of relaxation daily.
Also enjoy this high vibration music meditation
If you are interested in a full home study childbirth class, since most public classes are cancelled, we highly recommend the Hypnobabies home study course
During this time, remember to please take care of yourselves: hydrate, wash hands, practice social distancing and most importantly remember to relax, talk to your baby growing inside of you and breathe.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Sayida Peprah, PsyD, Doula & Khefri Riley, CLEC, CPYT, Doula
Program Creators and Co-Directors
Debbie Benton
Executive Administrator