GUIDANCE FOR DOULA UK MEMBERS ON PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Due to the new government guidelines and in response to requests from midwife colleagues, we are issuing guidance for doulas on the use of PPE.
The guidance below is for Doula UK members who are supporting a birth and it is intended to keep you, your family, the family you are supporting and health care workers safe during the pandemic.
The RCM, RCOG and RCOA have developed the following guidance for birth partners below which you might find helpful to adapt when you support a family at a birth:
During the coronavirus pandemic, all hospitals are restricting visitors but there are exceptions for a birthing partner during active labour and birth.
Every woman should be able to have one birth partner stay with her through labour and birth, unless the birth occurs under a general anaesthetic.
To help prevent spread of coronavirus to other women, their babies, and to key front-line healthcare staff, it is very important that you do not attend the maternity unit if you have any symptoms of coronavirus or have had any in the previous 7 days.
If you are unwell, protect your family and our NHS staff and stay at home. To prepare for this, women and their current birth partner are being encouraged to think about an alternative birth partner, if required.
If you are supporting a woman during labour and birth, please be aware of the strict infection control procedures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus to other pregnant women and their babies, as well as other people within the hospital and the maternity staff.
Please wash your hands regularly with soap and water and use hand sanitiser gel in clinical areas as available.
If you cough or sneeze, please cover your mouth with a tissue and dispose of this in a bin immediately.
Stay in the labour room with the woman you are supporting. Do not move (/walk) around the Labour Ward unaccompanied – use the call bell if you require assistance.
If you are asked to a wear a mask or any personal protective equipment (PPE) during the labour or birth, it is very important. Please follow the instructions carefully, and take it off before you leave the clinical area.
If you are accompanying a woman to her caesarean birth, please be aware that operating theatre staff will be wearing PPE and it may be more difficult for them to communicate with you.
You can read the full document published by the RCM here
The above guidance is predominately aimed at a birth partner who lives in the same household as the birthing person. A doula would be outside that household and therefore our guidance goes further and we recommend:
that doulas be ready to source and have PPE supplies on hand before attending births at home or MLU/labour ward. This may take the form of a face mask / covering, disposable gloves and apron. Please try to source your own PPE so that we are not using NHS supplies.
that doulas consult with the midwives caring for the family about PPE.
that doulas have a conversation with the family they are supporting beforehand about their expectations and the challenges posed around wearing PPE
For antenatal and postnatal visits doulas should refer to the government guidance on working in other people’s homes Steps that will usually be needed:
Using remote working tools to avoid in-person appointments.
Only absolutely necessary participants should attend appointments and should maintain 2m separation.
Avoiding transmission during appointments, for example, from sharing pens and other objects.
Holding meetings outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms whenever possible.
Wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds on arrival and before you leave the appointment.
You can read more in depth advice by visiting the following websites.
