COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

- Are you vaccinated against COVID-19?

I am fully vaccinated with against COVID-19. Any contracted staff who may provide supplementary or backup support services on behalf of adora birth + wellness are also fully vaccinated.

- Are doulas allowed in the hospital?

The ability for a Second Designated Support Person to access Alberta Health Services hospitals has changed many times throughout the pandemic. The best way to confirm this information is by: 1) talking to a doula; 2) contacting your birth site directly; and 3) reviewing the current Support & Visitation information published by Alberta Health Services at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page17001.aspx.

Please know that the guidance may change - potentially more than once - between when you book your birth support services and your actual due date. Your doula will help you keep on top of current policies and procedures and will discuss suitable alternatives and contract modifications where applicable.

For a time, Alberta Health Services was requring third party birth support to provide proof of vaccination in order to enter Labor & Delivery units. Although this policy is not currently in effect, I am prepared to provide vaccination records as required at any point in the future.

- Do you require clients to show proof of vaccination?

adora client families are NOT required to be fully vaccinated, although I wholeheartedly support vaccination, given the body of safety and efficacy evidence behind it.

If you are uncertain whether vaccination is appropriate for you, adora is prepared to support you in making informed, thoughtful decisions using evidence-based resources, alongside feedback from your primary prenatal care practitioners.

- How are you protecting my family against COVID-19?

adora has implemented a number of safety measures to keep both your family and mine healthy during these unprecedented times:

  • all adora staff + contractors are fully vaccinated against COVID-19
  • virtual meet + greets are available to reduce in-person contact
  • all in-person meet + greets take place in a private office setting with masking + physical distancing in place
  • all in-person prenatal meetings take place in the safety of your own home
  • rapid testing is conducted in the event your doula is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms
  • any equipment used during the course of your labor experience is sanitized as per Health Canada standards or disposed of/replaced where possible
  • your doula has completed Personal Protective Equipment training through Infection Prevention and Control [ IPAC ] Canada

- What happens if my birth site will not allow a doula?

If you're seeking out birth support, it's clear that having this service is very important to you; adora will make every effort to maintain an exceptional level of labor, birth, and postpartum support despite restrictions as to how and where that support may be delivered.

If your doula is not permitted to attend your birth site in person due to policy, outbreak/exposure, or symptomatic status or infection, customized alternate arrangements will be discussed and may include in-home early labor support, hospital transportation support, virtual birth coaching, immediate in-home postpartum support, and in-home newborn photography services.