Additional Resource for Georgia Doulas
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many counties and cities have implemented local curfew orders. These orders may affect birth workers including doulas, who may not be officially recognized as essential workers. This is an issue for doulas who may be traveling past curfew to attend a birth or appointment. The following letter can be used by doulas who may be stopped after curfew. It outlines the purpose of travel, what a doula is, and why they are essential to birth work. The letter can also be downloaded below.
To Whom It May Concern,
The holder of this letter is a doula, which is critical birth worker and part of a patient’s birth team. They should be exempt from COVID-19 restrictions including stay at home orders and curfews when going to or returning from a birth, appointment, or home visit.
A doula is a trained professional that offers necessary services by providing emotional and other support throughout the prenatal, birth, and postpartum period to mothers and their families. Doulas positively impact maternal and infant health in a number of ways, including:
- Lower rates of C-sections
- Breastfeeding promotion
- Lower rates of premature and low birthweight deliveries
- Higher patient satisfaction of overall birth experience
Doulas are a necessary resource especially during this time of stress and confusion that both families and providers are experiencing. Doulas can stay with families throughout the laboring process to keep them calm as many providers are being overwhelmed with increasing demand as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.