Episode 141: Universal Precautions

Universal precautions are essential to maintaining a safe and hygienic environment for both your clients and yourself. It is important for labor and postpartum doulas to understand them and how to apply them to their work.

Universal precautions for doulas include proper hand hygiene. This involves handwashing before and after client interactions, especially when touching bodily fluids. We should also understand how to use personal protective equipment. This includes knowing when and how to use gloves and masks while providing labor support. We should also know how to safely navigate exposure to bodily fluids, including amniotic fluid, blood, and other secretions. Postpartum doulas also need to know safe practices for assisting with postpartum recovery, including handling lochia and other postpartum secretions.

Join us as we explore universal precautions and discuss how to apply them to our work as doulas.