Get Your Doula In The Door During COVID-19
As of October 4, 2021, ONE support person is welcome in Alberta Health Services maternity units AND requests by patients for two designated support persons (such as a doula) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Effective December 1, 2021, all doulas working in Alberta hospitals must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and require advance request and approval by the patient and their primary care provider, with approval of requests facility dependent and not guaranteed.
Since the Alberta provincial State of Emergency was declared on March 17, 2020, approximately 91,000 Albertan babies [ and counting! ] have been born, and over 90% of those births occurred in a hospital.
There is no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic affects us all. But many Alberta families are simultaneously experiencing another major event – childbirth – and are being asked to do so with limited resources and support.
It is true that every one of us is being asked to work differently right now; doctors and hairdressers, cashiers and accountants, teachers and politicians. Changing our daily activities to protect the health of friends, neighbours, and our community is the least we can do. But giving birth isn’t a “daily activity.” Giving birth is something that may only happen once in someone’s lifetime. Giving birth is something that stays with you forever: physically and emotionally.
If a professional doula is part of your desired birth support team, keep reading to find out what you can do to ensure your care needs are met:
Advocating for Your Doula During COVID-19 in Alberta
Information current as of November 18, 2021.
Alberta Health Services has made specific hospital support exemptions for second Designated Support People, including birth doulas. According to their documentation, effective October 4 for Maternity and Postpartum units in Alberta, “one designated support person can be on-site with the patient. Exceptional circumstances and requests by patients for two designated support persons will be considered by site command posts on a case-by-case basis.”
To advocate for your complete birth support team - including your doula - make sure to keep talking about your wishes. Mention your professional support person at each and every prenatal appointment to keep the situation top of mind with those “in the system.” And follow these steps to make your preferences heard:
Step 1: Discuss having a doula with your primary maternity care provider (OB, midwife, or family doctor). Make reference to the current AHS guidelines, and show them a printout or screenshot if necessary. Request that your wishes be documented in your patient file and at the hospital according to site policies (many sites prefer that a pre-approval document be submitted by your care provider). Ask what information they need in order to solidify that plan [ eg: Would they like your doula’s business card? A printed profile with their photo and credentials? A copy of their vaccination record or training certificate? ]. If your care provider submits a pre-approval request, you should receive feedback within approximately one week confirming or rejecting your request for additional support.
Step 2: If your request doesn’t seem possible or supported, ask that your care provider take your concern to your hospital’s Site Command Post, who should be aware of the current guidelines. If your caregiver is unable or unwilling to do so, ask for the direct contact information for the Labor & Delivery unit at your birth site so that you may make an independent inquiry. When calling, ask the Unit staff “I would like to request approval for a second Designated Support Person to be present during my labor and birth, in accordance with Alberta Health Services guidelines. Can you help me submit this request to your Site Command Post or Executive Director of Women’s Health?”
Step 3: If your request (by your care provider or independently) is denied, you can continue your advocacy by contacting Unit Management directly to ask “Was this request reviewed by the Site Command Post or Executive Director?” and “For what reason has my request been denied?” Valid reasons for denial would be that the Unit is currently on COVID-19 outbreak, your doula is not fully vaccinated, your support persons have had recent travel out of the country or recent COVID-19 symptoms or exposure.
Step 4: If your request has been denied and does not meet any justifiable grounds as per Step 3, you may directly contact Alberta Health Services Patient Relations at 1-855-550-2555 to make a documented request for review and/or express your thoughts and concerns around any differences between the written policy and verbal messages you’re receiving from your birth site. These reviews take place during regular business hours, so this Step is only appropriate in the weeks leading up to your birth.
Step 5: When your labor is in progress, if you have not received pre-approval for your Second Designated Support Person already, you should make another request upon arrival to your birth site AND you should specify that your request be reviewed and adjudicated by the “Executive Director or Site Command Post” (if during weekday daytime hours) or the “Admin On Call” (if after hours/weekends).
Lindsey Bowns is a professional Calgary doula. adora birth + wellness provides DONA International certified birth doula services, working alongside your local midwife or OB, in hospital or at home.