Coronavirus and Doulas

So much is changing very quickly with hospitals and visitors.  Many local hospitals have begun to limit the number of visitors and checking all visitors to make sure they are not experiencing signs of a cold.

As a doula, my job is to help you through labor - even during all this and I am still here.  Fortunately, many of our local hospitals recognize the importance of a doulas role with a laboring mom and continue to welcome us.

While I will try to keep this list up to date from various resources, please know that this information is best used as a reference sheet and you should always call the hospital for the most up to date information as things have been changing very quickly.

St Elizabeth - Edgewood:

• Upon hospital entry visitors are screened if they are showing any symptoms.
• One visitor/support person (hospital policy is that this person is the second parent, or "person who will wear the second bracelet")
• No interchanging of visitors. No children / siblings on L&D unit.
• Doulas are exempt from this policy, and are welcome at the bedside of their clients during labor andbirth only. Doulas may not stay for the 2 hour recovery period immediately following birth.
  (Proof of certification required upon entry to the hospital).

Atrium Medical Center, Natural Beginnings:

• Main hospital doors are open, and people are screened by security in the lobby. People showing symptoms will not be permitted to enter unless they are having a medical emergency.
• One visitor/support person per day. This person is NOT interchangeable per day.
• Doulas are exempt from this policy, and are welcome at the bedside of their clients.
  (Proof of certification or training, if pre-certified, required upon entry to the hospital).

Bethesda North:

• Main hospital doors are open, and people are screened by security in the lobby.
• One visitor/support person.
  This visitor is NOT interchangeable for the duration of the stay (including postpartum). This visitor may leave, but will have have to go through re-entry in security. If this person leaves symptom free and returns displaying symptoms they will not be permitted re-entry.
• No siblings. No Photographers.
• Doulas are NOT exempt from this policy, and are welcome at the bedside of their clients only if they are the one support person.
  (Proof of certification required upon entry to the hospital).

The Christ Hospital - Mt Auburn and Liberty Locations:

• Mt. Auburn - Main hospital doors next to P3 Parking garage is the preferred entrance. People are screened by security upon entry.
• Liberty - As of 11:59 pm on Wednesday 3/18/20, all patients at Liberty will be transferred to Mt. Auburn. If you are in labor, and anticipate not being discharged by that time, it is advised you go to Mt. Auburn to avoid transfer.
• One visitor/support person (hospital policy is that this person is the second parent, or "person who will wear the second bracelet").
• No siblings. No Photographers.
• This visitor is NOT interchangeable for the duration of the stay (including postpartum). This visitor is encouraged to stay at the hospital for the duration. If the visitor leaves they are encouraged to practice social isolation and limit exposure in public (go home and return). They will be screen again upon re-entry.
• Doulas are exempt from this policy, and are welcome at the bedside of their clients.
  (Proof of certification or training, if pre-certified, required upon entry to the hospital).

Good Samaritan:

• Three entrances are open with security screening upon entry, Dixmyth entry is preferred. Persons displaying symptom will be redirected through the ER per protocol.
• One visitor/support person.
• This visitor is NOT interchangeable for the duration of the stay (including postpartum) (hospital policy is that this person is the second parent, or "person who will wear the second bracelet"). This visitor may leave, but will have have to go through re-entry in security. This visitor is encouraged to stay at the hospital for the duration. If the visitor leaves they are encouraged to practice social isolation and limit exposure in public (go home and return). If this person leaves symptom free and returns displaying symptoms they will not be permitted re-entry.
• No siblings. No Photographers.
• Doulas are NOT exempt from this policy, and are welcome at the bedside of their clients only if they are the one support person.
  (Proof of certification or training, if pre-certified, required upon entry to the hospital).

Mercy Hospital - Anderson:

• Main hospital doors are locked. Entry is made through the ER with security onsite for screening.
  One visitor/support person.
• This visitor is NOT interchangeable for the duration of the stay (including postpartum) (hospital policy is that this person is the second parent, or "person who will wear the second bracelet"). The visitor can leave and return through the ER, re-entry may be lengthy with security. If this person leaves symptom free and returns displaying symptoms they will not be permitted re-entry.
• No siblings. No Photographers.
• They are prepared for delivery and supporting infant feeding for families who test positive for COVID-19.
• Doulas are exempt from this policy, and are welcome at the bedside of their clients.
  (Proof of certification or training, if pre-certified, required upon entry to the hospital).

Mercy Hospital - Fairfield:

• Main hospital doors are locked. Entry is made through the ER with security onsite for screening.
  One visitor/support person.
• This visitor is NOT interchangeable for the duration of the stay (including postpartum)(hospital policy is that this person is the second parent, or "person who will wear the second bracelet").
• The visitor can leave and return through the ER, re-enter may be lengthy with security. If this person leaves symptom free and returns displaying symptoms they will not be permitted re-entry.
• No siblings.
• No Photographers unless it is the one visitor that will be there for the duration of the stay.
• Doulas are exempt from this policy, and are welcome at the bedside of their clients.
  (Proof of certification or training, if pre-certified, is highly encouraged upon entry to the hospital).

Mercy Hospital - West:

• Main hospital doors are open, and people are screened in the lobby. Elevators are locked. L&D will be called to meet you in the lobby.
• One visitor/support person (including postpartum) (hospital policy is that this person is the second parent, or "person who will wear the second bracelet")
• This visitor is NOT interchangeable for the duration of the stay (including postpartum). No siblings. No Photographers unless it is the one visitor that will be there for the duration of the stay.
• The visitor can leave and return through the ER, re-enter may be lengthy with security. If this person leaves symptom free and returns displaying symptoms they will not be permitted re-entry.
• They are prepared for delivery and supporting infant feeding for families who test positive for COVID-19.
• Doulas are exempt from this policy, and are welcome at the bedside of their clients.
  (Proof of certification or training, if pre-certified, is highly encouraged upon entry to the hospital).

UC Medical Center - Clifton:

• One visitor/support person in triage.
• Once admitted to L&D - 2 visitors (if you have a doula, the doula counts as second person)
  This visitor is NOT interchangeable. Visitors may not congregate in any hallway or waiting area, other visitors must wait in ER waiting area. Exchange of support person must happen in ER.
• After delivery and once in your postpartum room after 9 pm: only 1 visitor no interchanging.
• No one under age 14.
• Doulas are exempt from this policy, and are welcome at the bedside of their clients.
  (Proof of certification or training, if pre-certified, is required upon entry to the hospital).

UC Medical Center - West Chester:

• If a person needs to be seen or is showing symptoms of illness and it is an emergency they must enter through the ER, visitors showing symptoms when it is not an emergency will be sent home.
• L&D patients showing a symptom, even if only a sniffle need to enter through the ER.
• The Main Entrance is unlocked for healthy people to enter with security screening 5am - 7pm, after 7pm entry is made through the ER.
• L&D floor is locked.
• One visitor/support person (including postpartum) (hospital policy is that this person is the second parent, or "person who will wear the second bracelet") This visitor is NOT interchangeable for the duration of the stay (including postpartum).
• No siblings.
• No Photographers unless it is the one visitor that will be there for the duration of the stay.
• Doulas are exempt from this policy, and are welcome at the bedside of their clients.
  (Proof of certification required upon entry to the hospital).