Our measures to protect against exposure to COVID-19 are having staggering impacts on birthing people, partners, doctors, doulas, midwives, and families all around the globe.
In early March, hospitals across the country started limiting partners from attending births. This upheaval was not only jarring for many birth plans, in many cases it left those who labored alone with lasting trauma surrounding one of their most transformative life experiences.
It’s my belief that bearing witness and other forms of storytelling can offer some healing to those impacted by this crisis. Hospitals are reversing these limiting policies to allow for a single support partner, though protective equipment (PPE) is still in finite supply. Policies may change again as the pandemic evolves. We need to tell these stories, and now, to offer perspectives beyond the statistics and headlines.
This page will become a container for these stories. We aim to share both the joys and sorrows of birthing in this time. Conversations will be conducted via Zoom and edited for sharing here and on social media.
Please reach out and share your story, too.