Virtual doula support is a needed option sometimes. So far I have attended one birth in which I supported virtually, part of the time. Most of my prenatal meetings, educational sessions, consults, and listening support are now on zoom, facebook, or google-hangouts.
How does doula support work virtually? Well, there is no standard. Doula support can be almost all in-person (distancing, PPE, health assessments, etc when we are in a pandemic), almost all virtual, or all virtual, or some other combination. It will depend on your preferences, if your doula’s policies, and for in-hospital clients the current rules at a given hospital. You and your doula figure out how set up prenatals, labor support, and postpartum support specific to your situation. You may a do a rehearsal meaning that you use one or two methods (such as Facebook and Zoom) and get used to the logistics. Then, you switch easily from in-person to virtual support as you move your labor from home to hospital.
What I did so far is to create virtual doula support that is similar to what I would do in-person. I kept a close watch in case something happened quickly such as a surprise in hospital protocol, or to clarify a vaginal birth time limit so as to pro-actively suggest things my client could do in the moment to meet that time limit. I went in the background for much of labor as I would do in hospital when a patient is resting with an epidural, has time alone, has time with her partner, etc. I also demonstrated acupressure while standing up a chair so that I could be seen. When there was something I would have done physically, I asked my client her view, and if she was up for it, then she asked the nurses or her partner to do the physical work such as position changes. I had my little phone self held up to my client’s ear when things got super emotional. As for prenatal meetings, the energy felt somewhat similar to in-person, A few things I demonstrated may have looked a bit odd. So, things are being worked out, and I am thankful for this opportunity.
Preference so far for both my clients and me is that on average in-person doula support is preferred. That said, this is new. Doula support v. none is a top priority now since skipping or minimizing in-hospital time for all people, and especially newborns and birthing people is extremely important to stay physically healthy. And, physical health is very connected to mental and spiritual health for pregnant and birthing people and for postpartum .
Sincerely, Milwaukee doula Martha at Doula Woman 262 902 8714. Reach out any time!