COVID-19 Update

An update on Best of Both Worlds Doula Services operations and information from local hospitals and national health organizations:

As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout Raleigh and the Triangle area, Best of Both Worlds Doula Services is still taking precautions by practicing social distancing and staying at home through May. Meetings and consultations will continue through phone and video conferencing for the time being. Thank you for understanding.

Please be advised that I will be following North Carolina's guidelines on sheltering in place and I will likely extend them. I would like to start in person meetings again in June, but that is still unknown right now. Please check back for updates in mid/late May. Reduced virtual services will be available through the end of May as well. My operational hours have not changed and I am available by phone, text, email or video chat for your convenience.
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Below you can find all of the latest information from local hospitals regarding COID-19 and visitor policies. These policies are changing every day so please be sure to confirm what is stated here and on their website by calling or emailing. I will try to keep this post updated as I receive new information from the hospitals and other local doulas.

*UNC Health Care/Rex Hospital

Please note: At UNC, the partner can stay postpartum. However, if they leave the hospital for any reason, even to grab something from the car, they will not be allowed back in. Other hospitals may adopt this policy as well so please be advised. The Operating Room (cesarean sections) policy allows one support person. *Doulas must have gone through the OR training at UNC to provide support there.

*WakeMed Health and Hospitals

Update for WakeMed as of Thursday, May 7th, 2020: All WakeMed facilities are now allowing doulas plus one additional support person! The Operating Room (cesarean sections) policy allows one support person and a doula at Wake Med Main.

Women's Birth and Wellness Center

*Duke Health

Please note: As of last week, Duke Regional and Big Duke began universal testing for all birthing people coming into L&D. Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 will be separated from their partner/support person, & it will be recommended that the newborn be separated as well. Other hospitals may adopt this policy as well so please be advised.

Update for Duke as of Monday, April 27th, 2020: Duke Hospitals policy now states that every birthing person is entitled to a support person regardless of COVID-19 status!

Wake County Health Department

The * indicates the hospitals that are COVID-19 test sites.

Remember, you are the patient/parent and nothing should be decided or done in regards to you or your child(ren)'s care without your consent.
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Evidence Based Birth
EBB has a downloadable consent form that you can print off and discuss with your provider. You can find it here.

COVID-19 response updates & resources for North Carolina 

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

National Institute of Health (NIH)

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

La Leche League International

Postpartum Support International 

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I want to again thank those who continue to go above and beyond to ensure that others have what they need and are taken care of during this uncertain time.

To the doctors, nurses, researchers and other medical staff working tirelessly to provide accurate, up-to-date information and quality care THANK YOU

To all essential employees, staff and city/government officials such as our child care workers, mail couriers, garbage collectors, bus drivers, grocery store clerks and cashiers, pharmacists, researchers, delivery persons, city workers, commissioners and other officials THANK YOU

To the liaisons helping people navigate if/when to see their providers and when/where they can get tested THANK YOU

To the janitors, custodians and cleaning crews of schools, businesses and the local & national government THANK YOU

To the generous community volunteers who are making sure their neighbors, friends, school aged children and the homeless have food, supplies, school lessons+resources and basic medical supplies+care THANK YOU

To all the mask makers THANK YOU

To the local small businesses who are still serving the people of the community THANK YOU

To my fellow birth workers who are continuing to serve clients in all capacities THANK YOU