You've met with your doula, have seen your OB and NP so many times you've lost count and are all on a first name basis. At this point, they could probably identify you in a vagina line up. You did everything right, you designed the perfect birth plan for your family, packed your hospital bag, you fully prepared for D-day and then BOOM!!! The Coronavirus pandemic shuts all of that down.
I, The Melo Mama, want you to relax mom. I know, I know easier said than done but hear me out; You are not alone and birth workers are hustling day and night rallying our troops to bring you as much support and continuity of care as possible! From telehealth services, to Zoom meetings, to virtual support groups, you have galvanized and we have mobilized for you.
You may have to change some things around but you can still be able to have most of the birth experience you envisioned. Here are 3 ways to help make that happen:
1. Consider a midwife, doula and a home delivery
Midwives are trained health professionals who specialize in labor and delivery. Midwifery has been around for centuries and are a staple in many cultures. Midwives' practices focus on physical health, wellbeing and normalcy as a normal pregnancy is not a medical condition although hospitals can often make us feel as though it is. A midwife's main objective is empowering the families they serve. This means taking back ownership of your pregnancy, deciding which optional hospital routines the family may want to opt out of for baby and mama's sake, how mama chooses to labor etc... The ladies really know their stuff.
An international study conducted by McMaster university concluded home births are as safe as hospital births. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190807190818.htm
Midwives are adept and a suitable alternative to an OB. If you are not a high risk mama and have had no prenatal complications, a midwife, doula and home birth might be the right move for you to ensure you have the support you need present, a comfortable location and relaxed environment to deliver.
2. A birth center is a great alternative to a hospital
The hospital won't let your doula in and you're not comfortable with the idea of a home birth so what next? If they are available to you (and I really hope they are), consider a birth center. If you choose to have your care and birth at a birth center, it's more than likely (like...almost guaranteed) you'll have a personal and pleasant experience.
More and more mothers are turning to birth centers as their popularity grows. In 2018, over 20,000 babies were born in birth centers in the US. Some doctors are even taking their deliveries out of hospitals and into birth centers where moms are guaranteed private rooms and home-like comforts. You can eat and drink in a birth center, unlike in a hospital and have as much family support as you need (check with local birth centers for any COVID-19 restrictions). As a birth center's objective is providing an optimal experience for mom and family, many provide breastfeeding counseling and support and home visits in what we call the fourth trimester, postpartum period.
It is worth noting although doctors may be present in a birth center, an anesthesiologist is not and epidurals will not be available. Pain is typically managed in a birth center with Nitrous Oxide, massage and other homeopathic techniques.
You will know everyone in the room at a birth center. I mention that because a hospital cannot guarantee you'll ever see the doctor who saw you throughout your pregnancy journey. In fact, the odds are your doctor will not be on call and you'll have no idea who these people are who are now poking and prodding you. While I'm certainly not inferring they can't do the job and do it well, I am saying...you don't know these people and that kinda sucks.
3. DIY - Deliver It Yourself!
I know, it was radical when I suggested a midwife and doula at home and almost crazy when I suggested a birth center and here I am...pushing the envelope even further. I'm sure I'll get a lot of flack for this but I said what I said. Free birth or unassisted childbirth is also growing in popularity as mothers reclaim our super powers. It's a fringe movement right now but it's thriving. In most cases, a mother has all she needs to deliver a healthy baby. We had been doing it for eons before modern medicine and I envision as we learn more about infant and maternal mortality, we are going to learn the basics is what serves us best.
There are a hundreds if not thousands of YouTube videos of unassisted births and birth stories. We are designed to do this...literally. If the idea of a hospital birth during COVID-19 (or Coronageddon as I like to call it) doesn't appeal to you don't be afraid to consider something else. Pregnancy is not an illness and unless you or baby are at risk, a hospital or doctor isn't mandatory and it makes perfect sense to look seriously at this alternative.
If you decide to deliver in the hospital, try to adapt your birth plan. If only one support person is allowed, maybe you can alternate. If you have to deliver without a support person, maybe a virtual connection can be set up.
Whatever you decide is best for you, keep your cool mama and execute your plan to the best of your ability.