A MESSAGE FROM ROOTT
Restoring Our Own Through Transformation (ROOTT) is diligently monitoring the circumstances surrounding COVID-19. Due to the rapidly changing safety recommendations from various sources, we want our clients and communities to know that we are here working hard to maintain our safe and evidence-based continuity of care services. ROOTT is aware that this is a challenging time for everyone, and as such, our job is to provide the most accurate and updated information as we receive it. Recent guidance from the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) states that:
“Doulas are not visitors and should not be blocked from caring for patients in the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum period. Most doulas have been contracted by patients’ weeks to months ahead of time and have established provider relationships. They are recognized by AWHONN and ACOG as essential personnel and part of the maternity care team…”, AWHONN member Nancy Travis, MS, BSN, RN, BC, CPN, CBC, Florida Section Chair.
Toward this end, ROOTT will:
· Effective immediately, restrict client visits to virtual interactions that utilize Zoom, FaceTime, or other phone applications; this excludes physician appointments, labor support, and extenuating circumstances. If face to face time is needed, we will follow every safety protocol recommended by the CDC to ensure the safest engagement possible;
· Follow relative recommendations from the Ohio Governor’s Office, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Perinatal Association (NPA), American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG) and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). Please see links listed for real time update;
· Implement remote work protocols to protect our staff;
· Continue to accept new client referrals; virtual visits will begin without delay;
· Recommend and encourage social distancing, proper rest, nutrition, and hydration protocols;
· Continue to support breastfeeding, contact your physician directly if you feel ill; please reach out to one of our ROOTT Perinatal Support Doulas and Certified Lactation Consultants if additional support is needed.
ROOTT Perinatal Support Doula (PSD) & Perinatal Support Home Visitor (PSHV) Services
We understand that many of you are concerned about your PSD’/PSHV’s ability to continue to offer comprehensive services. As COVID-19 protocol updates continue, we will continue to offer PSD/PSHV services virtually and in person (when necessary). Services may be limited due to ongoing updates regarding hospital, birthing center, and homebirth protocols however, we will continue to provide emotional and physical support, and evidence-based information as needed.
We stand firm in our stance of being able to provide support to whomever may need it. If you are seeking PSD support, we do offer financial assistance. If financial assistance is needed, there will be an application process for eligibility.
Regarding Home Birth
ROOTT continues to advocate for all safe birthing options for our communities. We believe home birth is a safe and viable option for clients who are low risk, and properly prepared. ROOTT works with many of local midwives for the services necessary to facilitate this option, and welcomes the opportunity to provide PSD/PSHV support to our home birth families.
Currently, we have a growing concern regarding the number of requests for unassisted home births, particularly from those in late pregnancy, due to the concerns surrounding COVID-19 exposure. Therefore, we must be clear in our policy for the health and safety for all involved.
Home birth is a commitment that requires months of preparation from a holistic perspective. If you are in the early stages of your pregnancy and wish to consider this as an option, we will work with you to find the right homebirth care provider for you. If you are interested in an unassisted birth, we will provide you with the necessary resources and information so you may make an informed decision. However, ROOTT PSD/PSHV’s are unable to attend an unassisted homebirth. Our clients must have a Midwife in attendance.
If you are in late stage of your pregnancy and were not previously planning a home birth, we highly recommend that you follow through with your planned hospital birth. We also support options to labor at home as long as possible with your PSD/PSHV in order to minimize the length of time you are in a hospital facility. The option to discharge early from the hospital, if the family is well, is supported.
We are here for you. Please follow us on our social media platforms for updates and information. If you have concerns or questions please contact us at general-info@roottrj.org.
Resources;
· http://www.nationalperinatal.org/COVID-19
· https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
· https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/
Jessica M. Roach, MPH
Chief Executive Officer
Restoring Our Own Through Transformation