Coronavirus Doesn't Derail Doula From Helping Expecting Moms

COLUMBIA, MD — Moms-to-be may harbor worries about their wee one in utero. Is he developing on schedule? Is she healthy? Some pregnant women choose to use a labor and postpartum doula like Elissa M. who owns Shooting Star Childbirth Services. The Army veteran relied on a doula for her own three pregnancies and deliveries, and felt inspired to become one herself.

"My business is to be a professional birth coach to anyone who needs or wants help regarding pregnancy and postpartum. I'm like an unbiased 'Google' on many things relating to pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I do many visits with my clients, six pre-baby and six post-baby, to make sure the person or couple is feeling comfortable and confident in their new life role," she told Patch.

Shooting Star Childbirth Services first opened in 2015 in Arizona, then when Elissa M. moved to Maryland in 2018, she relocated her business to her new community. No matter where she's physically based, she actually has clients from around the world.

"I had one client contact me when she and her husband were living in Germany and they found my site and requested classes when they came to Arizona for a business trip in 2015. Here in Maryland I was contacted by a woman who wanted to use my labor doula services once she was done working in the Ivory Coast. Of course, I've had many clients here in Maryland, too, and they have all been wonderful. Labor support by people who can remain calm and help soothe family members and the laboring person is a universal need," she said.

Because babies arrive whenever they want to, Elissa M.'s schedule varies. She schedules classes and pre/post baby visits routinely on Sunday mornings and afternoons, then in the evenings Monday through Thursday. Then she is summoned when a person or couple is ready to deliver.

"Usually I get a text first stating the person 'may be in labor,' [and] the couples or person always act surprised when I call or text back within minutes. I keep my phone set to a high volume when I have a person due within two weeks. Babies just do what they want, when they want," Elissa M. told Patch.

After working for years in information intelligence and management, switching careers to become a doula and educator was a welcome change.

"What got me thinking to become a doula though was complete fate. I moved pretty often for my job and so each of my kids was born in a different state, so I had three different doulas. At each postpartum visit, my doulas suggested I get into the birthwork business in some way. The first two doulas who mentioned it I just thought it was something they say to all their clients. However, when my third doula said it to me, I realized it was something else stepping in to help me find a job and career I really could love," she said.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Elissa M. had to hold 90 percent of her in-person pre-baby and post-baby visits virtually, which ended up being great, she said. But the visits that require demonstrations of hands-on comfort measures have been a bit more difficult to accommodate virtually.

"My husband and kids have been wonderful at letting me demonstrate techniques on them and send videos to my clients. Now that hospitals no longer allow doulas in the room, I have seen my clients stay at home longer and request my help sooner than was the trend prior to the pandemic. When I attend the person/couple at their home, I wear a mask, wash my hands many times, [and] change clothes when I am done at the laboring person/couple's home so I don't bring anything home to my family," she told Patch.

For postpartum visits, she still holds virtual visits and will do in-person visits if the couple or individual requests it after 14 days of being discharged from the hospital.

"For the postpartum visits, I wear a mask, wash my hands and stay a good distance away from the baby and new parent/ parents as best I can. When I'm helping adjust a latch for a person breastfeeding, there is no option but to be close; some moments of closeness just can't be avoided," she said.

Even after coronavirus restrictions are gradually eased, Elissa M. said she still plans to offer a virtual option for pre-baby and post-baby visits.

"I think some people/couples feel better talking to me at their home via Google Hangouts because they can stay in [their] PJs and don't have to worry if the house doesn't look a certain way. I don't care how the house looks during in-person visits anyway, but I think some people do and this is one way to avoid my clients not feeling 100 percent comfortable in the moment," she said.

Thankfully the coronavirus pandemic has not negatively impacted her business flow.

"I have not seen a decline in my services, only because hiring a labor doula is something most people do many months in advance. Like most doulas, I have a limit as to how many clients I take per month, and I was already at my max when the pandemic started. I have noticed an increase as to how often I hear from my clients asking questions about how labor will go at the hospital when I'm not there and requests for more information on how the person/couple can set up a relaxing environment at their home before they decide to deliver at the hospital. I have had a few couples completely opt to switch to a home birth as well," Elissa M. told Patch.

Because of the pandemic, some couples have rethought their birthing options and decided to avoid delivering in the hospital though.

"Whatever location the laboring person decides is best for them is great, and they should be supported by their family and friends and of course, their doula," she said.

To help out clients who might have experienced a loss of income due to the coronavirus, Elissa M. has decreased prices for some services that can be done virtually and offered a free service through May called "Ask a doula," a two-hour question-and-answer session for non-clients.

"I felt like since many people had lost their income, this was my small way of helping those who need or want support but are now financially unable to pay for such a 'luxury,'" she said.

Whether delivering a baby during a global pandemic or normal times, Elissa M. suggested people write down all of their questions and ask a doula, midwife or doctor to explain what to expect when arriving at the hospital due to coronavirus restrictions in place.

"Now I will caution people, that if they are the type to worry more and become more anxious after reading medical articles online, it's best to ask their midwives and OBs about how to stay protected and their chances of catching anything at the hospital. If they are still not feeling warm and fuzzy, reach out to me. I am happy to help as best I can," she said.