Question 1

What other services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Check out my partner website here to see what other services we offer at our Wellness Center. I have so many offerings as a massage therapist and instructor. Check out the other website to see so much more!

Question 2

What is a birth doula?

Accepted Answer

A birth doula provides emotional and physical support, along with resources and birth preparation to an expecting family prenatally, during birth and shortly after during postpartum.

Question 3

What does a birth doula do?

Accepted Answer

Birth doulas meet with you prenatally, offer support throughout your labor and birth, and are there for you as you transition into your postpartum chapter. Some things that are included in doula work: prenatal visits, telephone/email support, on-call availability, continuity of care, assistance and support during labor and birth, assistance with optimal fetal positioning, aromatherapy, massage, photography, breastfeeding support, resources and much more

Question 4

What is the difference between a doula and midwife?

Accepted Answer

A doula is a non-medical support person who focuses on caring for you emotionally and physically, and helps you to feel informed and empowered. While they often have similar approaches, a midwife differs from a doula in a very large way. A midwife is a *medical* professional, meaning that the primary focus of their care is on the health and safety of you and your baby. Both doulas and midwives work with you prenatally, support you throughout the birth and follow up with you postpartum. Specifically at a birth, doulas are often found doing hip squeezes, refilling your water bottle, providing guidance and reassurance (to you and your partner), and repeating affirmations that empower you. At a birth, midwives top priorities are ensuring that you and baby's vital signs are stable, assessing you and your baby, completing cervical exams when needed, administering medication if necessary, and catching the baby you are birthing.

Question 5

What are the benefits of doula support to the mother?

Accepted Answer

The Benefits Outweigh the Costs 100%

Not only is a Doula able to support the relationship between a mother and partner.
 
They also:

Enhance the bonding of mother to baby
Increase the mother's confidence in her mothering skills
Help mothers see their bodies are strong and capable
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Doula births result in:

Decreased postpartum depression
Mother's view of the birthing experience is in positive terms
More satisfaction

Question 6

What effect does the presence of a doula have on babies?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that babies born with Doulas present tend to have shorter hospital stays and fewer admissions to special care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in the postpartum period.

Question 7

What effect does the presence of a doula have on birth outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Dozens of Research Studies have conclusively shown that having a Doula not only helps the mother and father, but also increases the chance of them having a healthier birth and baby. Numerous clinical studies have found that the presence of a Doula reduces:

Episiotomies
C-section by 50%
Shortens labor by 25%
Epidural requests by 60%
Pitocin use by 40%
Analgesia use by 30%
Forceps/vacuum use by 40%

Question 8

How does a birth doula work with my partner?

Accepted Answer

A common question we get is, "Will my partner feel left out?"

Honestly, this is a very valid question. Many think that a doula takes the role of the partner when, in fact, our role supports them as well. We firmly believe that our role as your doula is to amplify support, and that goes for your partner too. We have worked with many different birthing partners, yet they all have one thing in common: Your partner knows you better than anyone else. Even if they aren't sure how to support you in labor/birth, they know your fears, preferences and desires. We work with your partner by encouraging them, offering guidance and suggestions when needed, reminding them to also stay hydrated and to take bathroom breaks, and more. If your partner has witnessed birth before, they still deserve support and the comfort in knowing they are supported as well. Most of our clients have a partner supporting them throughout this process. Our clients find that their partner is more involved in the process when they have a Doula there to guide them on how to best provide support. It is difficult for partners and even family and friends to know how to help us during this time. They can take the classes and read the books but it is hard for them to retain all that information.

Question 9

What kinds of births can a doula support?

Accepted Answer

Whether you want to give birth at home or by scheduled cesarean, birth doulas support ALL kinds of birth. A lot of people imagine doulas supporting home births or think doulas are only for the "crunchy" families. While that may be a stereotype for doulas, a large majority of doulas can be found in hospitals and birth centers. Some doulas have "specialties" or certain styles that they bring to the table, meaning that they might be a better fit for a certain idea you have for your birth. Experience and additional training do come into play here. Doulas support any and all births, from midwife-supported home births to birth center births to unmedicated hospital births to scheduled cesarean births.

Question 10

When should I hire a doula?

Accepted Answer

The earlier the better really. Typically, the beginning of your third trimester is a good time to have your doula secured by. We often recommend that you start your search in your second trimester, talk to and interview a couple of doulas, and really determine who is the best fit for you. You deserve someone you feel an easy connection with and someone who you feel fits your personality and needs.

*If you consider yourself a planner or someone who experiences anxiety more often, hiring a doula earlier in your pregnancy might be more beneficial. This allows you to really form that trusting relationship and feel unconditionally supported as you navigate the emotional and mental ups and downs.

Question 11

Will a doula be useful if I have an epidural if cesarean section?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Like mentioned in an earlier question, doulas support all types of birth. While you may not request much physical support, there are emotional and informational ways your doula can support you.

A doula can benefit you and your partner if:
You would like pain medication early on in your labor (or perhaps in the parking lot)
You plan to use nitrous oxide, an IV narcotic or an epidural
You have a cesarean birth, whether it is unplanned or scheduled

A doula can help you find a rhythm and stay informed, and can ensure that you are cared for emotionally and mentally. Some pain medications take the edge off (like nitrous oxide), while others may be more effective with taking the sharpness away (like an epidural). Sometimes there is still a need for other coping techniques, such as counter pressure, that we may need to utilize. Having a doula can provide you with reassurance that you have more tools at your fingertips. Perhaps you feel you are coping well with the discomfort of labor-- wonderful! A doula can ensure that you and your partner's emotions are supported and that you continue to receive any information you would like. The physical support piece does not fully go away too; you and your doula still have things like massage or positioning as options. At cesarean births, whether they are planned or not, doulas are useful to help with cesarean birth preparedness, balancing emotions and thoughts, and keeping you informed of the options you still have in the operating room.

Question 12

How do I find the right doula?

Accepted Answer

You deserve the best! Each doula is unique and there are a few things that come into play.

Trust your gut. Does the doula's personality and style fit you and your partner? Do you vibe well with the doula? If a doula rubs you the wrong way, uses certain verbiage or language you don't like, puts off a vibe that doesn't sit well with you, or even has the same name as a crazy ex whose name alone drives you crazy, they may not be the doula for you. Honestly, even the simplest thing that you try to ignore can amplify either over time or on your "birth day."
Determine what it is that you're looking for. Do you have certain preferences or wishes when it comes to pregnancy and birth? Are you planning on using a certain birthing method or other tools? Finding a doula who can unconditionally support you and who may have experience with the things you are planning for can make all the difference. Doulas often acquire additional training and certifications to provide you with a more well-balanced, well-rounded approach to doula support. What additional knowledge would you want your doula to have (ie. acupressure, aromatherapy, belly casting, childbirth/lactation education, massage, optimal fetal positioning, photography, placenta encapsulation, etc.)?
Interview more than one doula. As doulas, we know how important it is for a client-doula relationship to feel connected and trusting. That is why we believe that by researching and considering more than one doula, you will open doors to the choices you have.
When the connection feels right, go for it. After the logistics like availability and pricing, more forward if you feel ready to add this person to your birth team.

Tip: If you connect well with more than one doula, consider hiring one as primary and asking the other doula to be the backup doula in the unlikely event that your primary doula is unable to attend your birth. A certified, professional doula is taught to acquire a back up doula. Ask if your hired doula works with specific backup doulas or is open to suggestions/guidance from you.

Question 13

Is a doula important for me to have if I have had a baby before?

Accepted Answer

Every birth process is unique and therefore having the experience of a Doula to guide you allows you to go through this journey with more ease. You may want a Doula even more if you had a traumatic birth with your first or other deliveries. A positive birth experience can be so healing!

Question 14

Can I meet your back-up?

Accepted Answer

Because life & birth is unpredictable, there is no way to know for sure I will be able to make it, though I will do my best to be there. I always have a back-up lined up to be there if I absolutely can not be there. I have never called in a back-up in over 50 births now, so it’s not likely that you will need a backup doula. You have the option to meet the back if you choose. Some find it very important to meet the back-up and others are not worried about it, since it is unlikely I will need to call them in. I am fine either way. Right now I work with a doula collective and we rotate being back-ups for each other. We meet monthly so our clients can meet the potential back-ups. Having back-ups is just a good way to do business for a doula.

Question 15

How many clients do you take each month?

Accepted Answer

I take up to 3 clients a month but I generally have about 1 a month. This could change in the future but right now it seems like my sweet spot.

Question 16

Do you offer childbirth education classes?

Accepted Answer

Not at this time though I want to add this to my offerings in the future.

Question 17

Are you certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I did my initial certification with DONA (Doulas of North America). I decided to not get certified with them. Then later on I did another training with Stillbirthday and decided to get certified with them.

Question 18

Do you meet us at home or at our birth place?

Accepted Answer

This is totally up to you! Some clients really want support at home and others want to meet at the birth place. I’m fine with whatever you choose. Sometimes you won’t know what you want until you get there and that is fine as well.

Question 19

May we call you with questions or concerns before or after the birth?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! I generally respond within 24hrs.  If I don’t have the answers I will do my best to find someone that does.

Question 20

Do you have children and were your births medicated or unmedicated?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I had one miscarriage and 3 babies after that. I had a narcotic with my first and no medications with the following two. I have never had an epidural. I do know what it is like to have a natural unmedicated birth. I support you with whatever choices you want to make for your birth experience.

Frequently Asked Questions