Frequently Asked Questions

A doula is a non medical support person that provides you continuous physical, emotional and educational support in pregnancy, birth and postpartum, giving comfort all along the way. A doula can help enhance communication and understanding between the couple and the medical staff. She is fully immersed in the art of labor with you.

As your doula I would never take the place of your partner. I provide support to the both of you. I help your partner engage in the labor support, and teach them ways to be your hero in this experience so you can have one of the most bonding moments of your relationship together. I blend into the background, complimenting the birth partner's strengths, offer helpful suggestions and back up support so they can be involved to whatever level the both of you feel most comfortable with, making sure they are also getting breaks and care. I bring knowledge and skills to assist you both in achieving the birth experience you desire.

If you are unpartnered going into birth, as your doula I will be your person, your rock and guide as you enter this journey. I will empower you to tap into your innate strength and intuition to do what comes next, one step at a time.

A birth doula’s primary role is to provide support to you in the experience of labor and delivery. Her care leading up to birth is to help prepare you for childbirth. And then in labor be a constant support until after delivery. Her support after birth is limited in time and scope. She helps with breastfeeding and processing your birth, giving referrals for any extra care needed.

A postpartum doula spends time with you and your family at your home after the birth of the baby. She assists with many tasks, such as infant care, older sibling care, light house cleaning like dishes and laundry. She is an emotional support to the new parents as they adjust to life with a new baby, offering companionship. She can come in for a few days, or many weeks or months depending on the needs of the family.

A midwife and a doula’s roles are very different. While the midwife provides medical care for the mother and baby, the doula is solely dedicated to the comfort of the mother in labor. My job as the doula is to help the mother cope through an unmedicated birth, through touch, massage, counter pressure, encouragement, suggestions, empowerment, guiding the partner in how to care for her. Because I don’t need to check heart tones, blood pressure or tend to charting, I’m free to stay completely hands on with the mother throughout the labor process. An unmedicated home birth requires all hands on deck, having the skilled hands of doula on board can make all the difference.

Many people believe if they plan to have an epidural, they won’t experience the pain of childbirth. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Many hospitals have policies on when they will admit women in labor, or recommend an epidural, often not until contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute long for 1 hour. That’s considered active labor! If you go into labor not planning to cope through contractions this experience can be very challenging. As your doula I would teach you techniques to manage contractions at every stage of labor. Once you’ve gotten to a place where you can have an epidural, there are many positions to move in that keeps your labor from stalling, or your baby getting stuck in an unfavorable position. I will be there to assist you in moving around safely while in the bed, and helping you avoid a c-section and other interventions. Having me there to help in those times is invaluable.

There are of course the basics: is she available for my due date? Does she serve my geographical area? Does she have training and experience? But it’s also incredibly important to hire a doula with whom you can be your whole self around. She will be with you in your most intimate and vulnerable moments. Does she make you feel safe, comfortable, and confident? Does she feel like someone you could hang out with for a few days? You’ll be spending a lot of time together. Does your partner feel seen and important to her as well?

Absolutely! My care is for families anytime in the first year. My scope is still as a doula, so I wouldn’t be a good childcare option, but if you’d like the physical and emotional support of a doula, I’m there for you.

I completely understand that, having a baby can be so expensive, I’ve been there! Consider asking family and friends to help pitch in as a welcome baby present! Long distance family wish there was more they could do to help their loved ones in their roles as new parents. What a lovely gift idea for them to give help when they can’t be there!