Romper Talks to 11 Doulas On How The Pandemic Has Changed Birth

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

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