Romper Talks to 11 Doulas On How The Pandemic Has Changed Birth
Romper speaks to Melissa Murphy & Gili Levitin of NYC Doula Hotline.
You can cancel a sporting event. You can postpone a vacation. But babies can't wait during a pandemic. So birthing people are adapting to new hospital policies (many limit patients to one support person during birth), without knowing exactly how things will play out, and doulas have a front-line view. They are still there, working in person in birthing centers and at home births, and available to offer virtual support during hospital births they can't be present for.
Virtual support networks are expanding.
"I decided to team up with a group of 30 doulas to launch a Doula Hotline to provide 24/7 donation based virtual support to the pregnant community. We continue to grow the community and I’m really glad we are able to offer these services to anyone that needs them. We can help the partner in the room, lead breathing exercises, and help them not feel alone." —Melissa Murphy, Boho Birthing
Continuing reading on Romper.com
Giving Birth Soon? These Virtual Doulas Are Here to Help.
It all begins with an idea.
As the COVID-19 pandemic rips its ways across the world we’re finding ourselves in a whole new world. And not in that fun, Disney way full of adventure and intrigue. This is a world of isolation, new regulations, a frightening virus that could be anywhere at any time. It could be on you, right now. It could be on me.
Some folks are, of course, in more precarious situations than others. For anyone whose due date is rapidly approaching this extra dose of uncertainty is exactly what the doctor didn’t order. The rules are constantly shifting. Masks are recommended, then required. No more schools, then restaurants, then all businesses. Stay home, officials implore, stay safe.
Levitin saw a need among the birthing community and knew that she and her colleagues had the power to do something about it. After a brief moment of figuring out the best way to support birthing folks during this new reality, she began to organize the NYC Doula Hotline in collaboration with Golda Fleischman and Melissa Murphy. The Hotline provides 24/7 virtual support for expecting parents, with 26 doulas taking four-hour on-call shifts. Levitin, Fleischman and Murphy run all the administrative efforts. Everyone involved is volunteering their time, wisdom and compassion. Read more about the NYC Doula Hotline on Kveller here.