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Jai Olive Wellness COVID-19 Doula Guidelines
I believe a healthy birthing person, means a healthy baby. I follow all recommendations and policies based on the Center for Disease Control, county health departments, and hospital policies. It is important to connect with your medical team and keep me informed of changes to your health and the health of your baby.
Global guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) have issued the following Covid-19 safety guidelines for pregnant persons and medical providers:
Avoiding Risk of Exposure
It is important to know your risk of exposure for you, your baby, and your family. During our prenatal appointments, we discuss potential risks and preventative measures that I can take as your doula. Learn more about signs and symptoms to COVID-19, prevention, and more on the CDC website.
Prenatal appointments are hosted virtually and I recommend your birth team member(s) are present to learn prenatal information. As policies are evolving it is important that I not only prepare you but your birth team to support you in case you are only allowed one or no visitors. At your final prenatal appointment, we discuss plans for early and active labor, delivery, and postpartum. At this time it is important for you to have communicated with your medical team about your doula being present during labor and delivery. I prepare you to ask additional questions related to policies and/or practices that may impact doula care and support.
Basic Personal Client Safety
Central Iowa Doula Association is monitoring the guidelines for the county and the hospitals in which our clients are giving birth to ensure we are informed of any changes related to Covid-19 that may impact the safety of our clients. Meanwhile, I continue to follow and share best practices for overall health during the cold and influenza season with clients and their own families. These preventive measures include:
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Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
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Avoiding touching eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands.
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Avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick.
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Staying home when sick- I will too.
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Remaining home, based on CDC recommendations, for at least 24 hours after no fever or signs of a fever (i.e., chills, feeling warm, flushed appearance) without the use of fever-reducing medication.
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Covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then immediately discard the tissue in the trash.
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Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
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Taking any antiviral medication prescribed as instructed.
Additional measures that I take to help keep my clients healthy include:
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Washing hands frequently (or using hand sanitizers) during births and postpartum care.
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Wearing gloves and personal protection face equipment in the birthing room and during home visits when possible during skin to skin interaction
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Washing work clothes in hot water following each birth/postpartum visit and keeping clean clothes in a closed cabinet or drawer
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Cleaning supplies used during births (speakers, diffusers, massage tools, etc.) with disinfectant wipes and covering supplies with closed plastic Ziploc bags after each cleaning.
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Carrying a single-use childbirth emergency kit during labor
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Carry an infrared no-touch thermometer and blood pressure cuff to monitor the birth parent's vitals.
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Request that all clients disclose any personal risk and/or proximity to persons diagnosed with Covid-19. Disclosure of any changes to health, symptoms or recent test results.