As summer is finally gone and fall is upon us, cold and flu season is ramping up. What does this mean for doulas? Doulas during cold and flu season might need to adjust some things in how they serve families and even their day to day lives.
As doulas, we work with a vulnerable population in terms of germs and infections. During pregnancy, the immune system functions differently. And for the newborns we come in contact with, the immune system is incredibly immature.
So, what does this mean for doulas? It means lots of precautions.
Doulas During Cold and Flu Season – Wash Your Hands OFTEN!!!!
We cannot avoid every germ. This is especially true if we have little kids and school-aged kids in our homes. However, we can take precautions which can help reduce the risk of catching the flu or a cold.
Washing your hands even a few extra times per day can cut down on your risks. Be sure to wash your hands:
- After the bathroom, obviously
- Every time you come home
- Before eating
- After any diaper changes
- Wash hands when entering a home, office, etc.
- Consider a gentle hand sanitizer when getting in your car if you’re not able to wash your hands after using a gas pump, atm, etc.
In addition to handwashing, little things like not sharing drinks with your kids can help. We can’t avoid every germ. We don’t need a sterile environment, that would not be healthy either. However, we can greatly reduce our risk of catching some illnesses simply by practicing good hygiene.
Talk to Your Doctor About Vaccines
Not everyone opts to have a flu shot, Tdap, covid vaccine, etc. However, when navigating decisions about your care and reducing risk of illness, speaking with your doctor or pharmacist can be helpful.
Whatever decision you make about vaccination, it is important to be honest if families you serve as a doula ask. While it is your private medical information, we should always respect a family’s choice to only have individuals vaccinated with x, y, z around their newborn. If that is a dealbreaker for a family, and you are not comfortable with a vaccine, you can simply suggest they work with another area doula who can meet their needs.
Do Your Best to Boost Your Immune System
There is no magic pill to give you a rock-solid immune system. Our immune system is a combination of our genes, environment, long term diet, etc. You cannot drastically change your immune system overnight.
However, you can focus on overall health and wellness which might reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of illness when you are exposed to germs.
Getting plenty of vitamin D, naturally in the sun or through supplementation, is often a simple way to help your immune system. Be sure to talk with your providers about supplementation if you think that is something which might help you.
An overall well-balanced diet with a variety of natural vitamins and minerals is another great way to help your immune system. While vitamin supplements are available, most people find getting nutrition from food sources a better way to help their overall health. However, if you have concerns about your diet and the need for supplements, talk with your provider or a registered dietician.
Regular exercise is another great way to maintain your overall health.
Be Mindful of Respiratory Illness, RSV is Dangerous For Newborns
For most people, getting a mild cold is not a reason to miss or alter their work. However, for those of us who work with newborns, the risk of RSV can be a concern. If you have a cold or any respiratory illness, always be upfront with families.
Have an ironclad back up doula whether you are a birth or postpartum doula. Some doulas use masks when they have any possible cold symptoms to reduce the risk of exposing a family or a newborn.
How you navigate any potential symptoms may vary. But always be upfront and honest with families.
Cold, flu, and RSV season can be difficult for anyone to manage. For doulas who work with pregnant people and newborns, sometimes extra precautions are important. If you are ever concerned, reach out to your provider for their advice.
Author: Aliza Juliette Bancoff
Aliza Juliette Bancoff is a well-known doula and doula trainer who has been providing doula services to families for over a decade. She is the founder of Main Line Doulas, a doula group providing doula support in the great Philadelphia area for the last decade, the International Doula Institute, which provides online doula training and lactation training and certification programs and the International Breastfeeding Institute which provides lactation training and certification. She is the co-founder of United Birth, a company devoted to increasing access to doulas across the country to make the perinatal time safer both physically and emotionally. “Every birthing person deserves access to quality doula support. And we are working to make that a reality across the country. The work we are doing to get doulas to every birthing person will decrease the black infant and maternal mortality rate significantly by 2030.” Says Bancoff. Aliza is known for her compassionate and empowering approach to doula work, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets, including United Nations Maternal Health Report, Parent Magazine, CafeMom, theBump and many more. Aliza's journey into doula work began when she gave birth to her first child and felt a strong calling...