Student doulas are not permitted to attend to labouring mothers and births in government hospitals or MOU’s without the presence of a certified doula in a mentorship/supervisory capacity.
Level One doulas may attend births on their own in some government hospitals and MOU’s by prior arrangement only with the hospital or MOU.
Universal precautions
This is a reminder for all doulas to protect themselves as well as the patients by observing the following:
Hygiene
- Always wear gloves when touching a patient where there is a possibility of contact with any bodily fluids. On arrival, put a pair of disposable gloves in your scrub top pocket so that when you need them, you have them to hand.
When your gloves become soiled, change them.
When not wearing gloves, wash your hands frequently. They must be washed before touching and after touching a patient or baby.
- Never touch any sharps, even if asked by a care-provider. This is completely outside of our scope of practice and doulas are not trained in handling them.
- Wash your hands on arriving at the hospital or MOU and wash them again on departure.
Etiquette
- On arrival at a hospital or MOU, always greet all the staff and announce yourself to the unit manager. On departure, thank the midwives and the unit manager as you say goodbye. Check if there is an attendance register to be signed.
Remember that respect for the space is paramount – we are the visitors here.
- When working with a mother in the delivery room, respect the position of the midwife. If necessary, ask her where she would like you to stand. Remember, her job is waist down and your job is waist up. If she asks you to fetch items for her, do so quickly and quietly, asking for more information if appropriate. Stay away from her sterile field on the delivery trolley.
- If the partner is at the birth, show them where to stand. They have priority in terms of proximity to the mother. You are supporting both mother and partner.
- Do not tell the mother the sex of her baby. The midwife will show her. Stay at the head of the bed with the mother when she is handed her baby. Do not touch the baby unless requested to help reposition it on the mothers chest for skin to skin. You can touch the baby with the mother’s permission if you are helping the mother latch her baby later on.
- You may explain to the mother what is happening with regards to the delivery of the placenta, the checking of the baby, Syntocinon injection, etc if the midwife is not informing her.
- Stay with the mother throughout this period immediately after the birth, encouraging her to breathe if she is stressed by being cleaned up or stitched. Keep her attention on her baby.
Dress Code
- Ensure that you are wearing a clean, neat scrub top and comfortable pants that allow you to bend and move.
- Wear closed shoes that are comfortable and washable.
- Ensure that your hair is out of the way and pulled back on your head if necessary.
- Always wear a name badge – you are issued with one when you are a student.
