Updated 04/24/23

Some of you have asked at which hospitals I can support births in person along with a partner, so I will plan to keep the updated list here. Of course, I can attend any Kentucky home birth in person and will happily do so as long as you’re okay with me wearing a mask and you are not COVID positive; I am also unable to attend hospital births if you are COVID positive. I am fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 (Moderna). The following list is not extensive and only includes the hospitals at which I have attended births during the pandemic:

Baptist Health Lexington - “Visitors are limited to 2 per patient. 1 visitor may stay overnight.” A certified doula does not count as a visitor. Doulas are not permitted in the OR for a c-section and it is up to nurse if doula is allowed in recovery for Cesarean births.

Clark Regional (Winchester) - “No children under the age of 14 are allowed to visit the unit unless they are a sibling of the baby being born. Children under the age of 14 (even siblings) are not allowed to attend the actual delivery. Siblings count as a visitor and need to be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times (other than the birthing person).”

Ephraim McDowell Regional - “One overnight birth support person and two visitors who may not rotate. Total of three visitors during this time. Doulas are considered part of the visitor count. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis with the care delivery team.”

Frankfort Regional Medical Center - “Our women's health department is open from noon to 8:30pm. The mother’s partner or support person may visit at any time. Children under the age of 10 are not allowed, except for the children of the patient.”

Norton Women’s and Children’s (Louisville) - “Two visitors at a time, 24/7. During labor and delivery, a properly credentialed doula also may be present as part of the care team.”

Saint Joseph East Women’s Hospital - three visitors (when in active labor, otherwise one) + a doula

UK HealthCare - three visitors + a doula

Kentucky home birth - partner(s) + a doula

With our first pregnancy, my hospital bag was packed weeks in advance. It was full to the zipper with things I thought I’d need based on books and online articles I’d read. I overpacked and stressed myself out about it. With my next pregnancy, I threw things in a bag in between contractions. Packing, along with many other aspects of birth and baby raising, can be easier the second go-around. So, while by no means a complete list, here are items a lot of people find useful:

Nursing tanks/bras: Good for easy access to skin-to-skin time.
Slippers: For walking around the hospital in labor and use around the room postpartum.
Flip flops: Sure they clean the shower before use, but still…
Going home outfit for you and baby: Think comfortable maternity wear and seasonally appropriate onesie/jammies.
Your own pillow: Preferably with a pillow case that will set it apart from hospital's.
Snacks: For most women, eating and drinking during labor is safe and so helpful.
Toiletries, and glasses if you wear contacts

For birth partner:

Sweatshirt: Hospitals can be really cold. My husband had to have a friend bring one (and still hasn’t returned it four years later- sorry, Jarrod).
Snacks: Hospitals feed mama after the birth, but dads need nourishment, too.
Breath mints: Mama does not want to smell said digesting snacks while she’s birthing.
Phone chargers: Most phones get quite the workout during labor, delivery and postpartum.
Car seat: The hospital won't let you leave without one installed and will watch you load up baby.

When you hire me, I will provide a more comprehensive list, but in all honesty, you’ll need less than you think. The hospital provides a lot of birthing and postpartum essentials and you’ll spend most of your recovery time in the bed because rest is best.

Which KY hospitals are allowing doulas?

All my bags are packed (but am I missing something?)