What exactly is a “doula”?

A trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth.

The term “doula” comes from a Greek word meaning “to serve”. Doulas serve and support expectant women and their partners and families with the emotional and physical aspects of childbirth and afterwards. Doulas can assist women and their families in getting information to make the very best healthcare decisions for themselves and their families.

Don’t nurses, OB/GYNS, or midwives basically do what a doula does?

Nurses spend a great deal of time reviewing monitors, charting, and splitting their time between multiple patients each shift. A doula spends her entire “shift” near the birthing parent, and devotes oneself to a single client at a time.

At a hospital birth, an OB/GYN is usually seldom seen (if at all) until it is time to deliver and leaves shortly thereafter. A doula stays with you from active labor until everyone is settled in postpartum.

Midwives and their birth assistants have various responsibilities at a birth unrelated to comfort care, such as charting, setting supplies, taking heart tones and other health assessments, and keeping a watchful eye on the baby’s response to labor. A doula remains by the laboring person so they’re never without support when attention is otherwise divided.

How will I know if our personalities click?

We will get to know each other a bit at your first consultation, which is always free with no commitment. I recommend considering what style of doula assistance you’d like so you know what you’re looking for before we meet. Many times, a family will simply have a ‘good feeling’ about a prospective doula and I encourage them to trust their intuition. If it feels like we don’t exactly vibe in the way you envision for your pregnancy and birth journey, that’s totally okay. No hard feelings! I want you to have the experience that’s right for YOU. You can learn a little more about me here.

I know I’m going to cuss, will this offend you?

NO! Many times women are incredibly nervous about, “losing it,” when they are laboring to birth their babies. Some women are worried about cursing, others not so much, but whatever we do to cope, women are frequently nervous they will be judged or looked down on for reacting to the very intense sensations of birth.

Your doula wants you to know that she will not judge you. Your way of dealing with your birth is perfectly right with her.

Why do I need a doula?

Whether you’re a first-time mom or you’ve been around the block a time or two, having a doula as part of your birth team can be a huge help before, during, and after delivery! Doulas are there to offer emotional support, physical support, and partner support during one of the most important times in your life. Studies have shown that having a doula attend your birth can lead to better birth outcomes and fewer interventions for both mom and baby.

Is a doula the same as a midwife?

No, a Doula and a Midwife are not the same.  

A Midwife’s main priority at your birth is to make sure that mom and baby are healthy. She is there to help deliver the baby and provide any medical care that you or your baby might need.  A Doula’s main priority is to make sure that you and your partner’s needs are met.  I can offer physical comfort measures and emotional support.  My main focus is to help you in the ways that you need throughout your entire experience.  As a Doula, I do not offer medical care.

What kind of support does a Doula offer my partner?

Your partner needs support too!  Labor and birth can be very overwhelming to watch.  Your partner might need to take a break to use the restroom or even just get out of the room to take a walk or grab something to eat.  Your partner can do this without feeling guilty because you will not be left alone.  I can also provide your partner with gentle reminders of how they can best help you so they don’t have to remember everything on their own.

Many couples fear that the doula will take-over for the partner and somehow push them out of the way, overriding their role at your side. A good doula has zero desire to do this.“Your doula has an intimate knowledge of birth, while your partner has an intimate knowledge of you.”

She gives the partner permission to be just that- the partner. There doesn’t need to be inordinate pressure to remember positions, techniques, phrases, and use them appropriately. The doula takes the pressure off, gently guides, steps back, and helps the partner shine.

What if I have a lot of questions but i’m afraid of bothering you?

Your questions DON’T bother me! Call/text me! Reach out! Sometimes people mistakenly assume that having a doula means she shows up for the birth and not much else. She is part of your birth team, your tribe. She serves as an important part of the support you build not just for birth, but before. Pregnancy in itself can be stressful. At its very best it is different and beyond what we have experienced before. You’ll have unique aches, pains, feelings, and flutters. Talk to your doula. She’s a good listener.

Should I still hire a doula if I am planning a hospital birth?

Absolutely! In fact I believe that doulas are more necessary in a hospital than any other setting. In a hospital you won’t have continuous professional support unless you hire a doula. Your nurse will likely have other patients to care for and will be in and out of your room for brief checks, and your doctor likely won’t be with you until you are ready to push. Continuous support has been statistically shown to improve outcomes for both mother and babies. This article from Evidence Based Birth has more information regarding these statistics.

Moms that choose to have an epidural still need emotional support. I can also be there to help you change positions to keep your labor progressing and provide support when it is time to start pushing. I am also there to help with bonding and breastfeeding during the golden hour.

I am planning on a cesarean birth, can a doula help with that too?

Yes! If you are planning a cesarean birth I can still be your Doula. A cesarean birth requires emotional support just the same as a vaginal birth. I can help you to prepare for the day and answer your questions. With permission from your medical providers I may even be able to accompany you and your partner into the OR. If I can not be in the OR with you, I can join you soon after while your partner heads to the nursery with the baby. Breastfeeding can be a challenge after a cesarean birth so I will be able to show you some ways to do that more comfortably.

What if I can’t afford a doula?

Here are a number of creative ways to help you cover the cost:

• Add doula services to your baby shower registry. A few family members/friends can pitch in and gift this to you.

• Use your FSA, HSA, or HRA.

• Discuss payment plan or customized package options with your doula!

What if I’m an LGBTQIA+ Parent?

I would be honored to support LGBTQIA+ parents in this process! If you/your partner will be physically birthing a baby or if you will be present at the birth of your baby, I can help; gender and/or sex orientation should not be an additional barrier to receiving support!

What if I’m an adoptive or surrogate parent?

First, you’re amazing! I’m honored to design a custom birth/postpartum package that fits your needs. For a relinquishing or surrogate parent, there is much peace of mind in knowing someone is looking out for you, open to listening to you without judgment, and sympathetic to the process from your perspective. I also fully endorse the use of adoption/surrogacy doulas with specialized training in this circumstance if you locate one you really love.