COVID-19 DPG Safety Protocols, New Research, and Virtual Support Testimonial
There is no question the pandemic has changed the way that small businesses like ours operate as we strive to provide our clients the most supported and empowered experience possible. We would like to take this opportunity to share with you what changes, improvements, and policies have been implemented since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. DPG would also like to share some of the newest research we found on how the virus is impacting pregnant people. And lastly, we will share a client testimonial we received since all this began back in March.
Birth and postpartum doula Stephanie Buck wearing a white “Doulas of Prince George’s County” mask. Stephanie is the co-creator for the mask sewing Facebook group called SOMD Maskmakers which distributed .over 5000+ masks to hospitals, businesses, and individuals since the start of the pandemic.
First, let’s look at our SAFETY AND POLICY CHANGES:
Keeping our clients and our team members healthy and safe is #1 priority!
*Monthly COVID-19 testing of all in-person team members.
*More frequent testing at client request.
*Mask wearing is mandatory for team members.
*VIRTUAL EDUCATION CLASSES and/or VIRTUAL DOULA PRE- and POSTNATAL VISITS.
*VIRTUAL LACTATION CONSULTANT VISITS.
*Flexible package transfer options to VIRTUAL LABOR PACKAGE if hospital policy changes or limits in-person support.
*Flexible package transfer options to postpartum doula support if hospital policy changes and clients don’t want virtual labor doula support.
*Clients who plan to have in-home labor support before leaving for their birth location are asked to take a COVID-19 test between 37-38 weeks.
*List of choices families may make for safe, in-home postpartum doula support and newborn care, such as choosing a doula who is working with only one family at a time, the doula changing clothes upon arrival at clients home, taking temperature at the start of the shift, and more!
Now, let’s look at the latest research we could find on how pregnant people could be impacted if they contract the virus.
From the CDC report released on November 2, 2020, “400,000 women aged 15-44 years with symptomatic COVID-19, intensive care unit admission, invasive ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and death were more likely in pregnant women than in nonpregnant women.”
From this newest CDC study, “Pregnant women were more frequently Hispanic/Latina (Hispanic) (29.7%) and less frequently non-Hispanic White (White) (23.5%) compared with nonpregnant women (22.6% Hispanic and 31.7% White). Whereas non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black) women made up 14.1% of women included in this analysis, they represented 176 (36.6%) deaths overall, including nine of 34 (26.5%) deaths among pregnant women and 167 of 447 (37.4%) deaths among nonpregnant women.”
We know from reports, such as the ABC 7 News story which featured Doulas of Prince George’s County agency owner, Jacquelin Knighton that COVID-19 is revealing racial disparities for expectant mothers. And here in this article from the Urban Institute are 3 Ways COVID-19 is Further Jeopardizing Black Maternal Health.
We will be honest and acknowledge that the next few weeks and months are looking like they have the possibility to be be hard, particularly as parts of our service area are already seeing new restrictions on gathering size. However, we would like to end on an encouraging note and share this lovely testimonial from our client: