FAQ

A doula is a trained birth professional whose job is to support the birthing person through pregnancy and birth. This is done primarily through continuous physical and emotional support throughout labor, but also through prenatal and postpartum assistance. Doulas have spent hours reading, training, and often certifying in a variety of relaxation and pain management techniques. They are knowledgeable about the process of birth and how to provide assistance at each stage of labor. They are also familiar with their local community and strive to maintain relationships with other birth professionals in order to continue their education and receive the most up to date information to help their clients.

During pregnancy, doulas provide resources and recommendations for birth education and services, assist in creating a birth plan, address any fears and answer any questions the client might have, and teach relaxation and pain management skills. During labor, doulas are constantly present throughout and can help with birth positioning and comfort measures, teaching partners and family members how to help with the birth, and advocating for their client’s needs and desires. During the postpartum period, doulas can help with initial breastfeeding, making sure their client is set up for success and being taken care of, and assessing whether or not their client needs additional help with breastfeeding or mental health resources. A doula’s primary responsibility is to the laboring mom. The goal is to help her achieve the birth she desires, no matter what that looks like. Doulas also do not encourage clients to do anything they are uncomfortable with. They are strong believers in the diversity of birth and will not judge you for any choices you make. 

Nurses are medically trained professionals who are in charge of a multitude of important tasks at a hospital. They are often performing clinical tasks, assisting the doctor, and many of them do provide emotional support for their patients. Doulas differ from nurses in two main ways: One – doulas are not performing medical tasks (as mentioned above). Two – doulas are not responsible for more than one person at the hospital. Nurses are often working with numerous patients at once and do not have the time to dedicate 100% of their time to one person. Doulas fill in that space where the nurses are unable to be. A healthy doula-nurse relationship looks like both teams working together to create a safe space for mom that honors her birth plan and allows each professional the space to do their job.

Midwives are medically trained and licensed birth professionals that have several years of schooling and clinical experience. They work with women for a wide range of feminine care, but most often for pregnancy. Midwives can diagnose medical issues, treat problems, and prescribe medication or alternative methods for treatment. Doulas on the other hand, are not medically trained. While doulas are very knowledgeable about pregnancy, birth and postpartum, they do not perform clinical tasks or diagnose and treat problems. Doulas do not administer IV’s, they do not do cervical exams, they do not catch the baby, etc. A fun phrase to help you remember the differences is Midwives work from the waist-down, and doulas work from the waist-up. 

There is only one type of birth that I do not “support” (meaning I do not provide doula work), and that is unassisted/free birth. This is a birth that is unattended by any medical professionals. Other than that, I attend ALL types of births! I am more than happy to support hospital births, home births, birth center births, unmedicated births, planned epidurals, planned c-sections, etc. My deepest desire is for you to feel powerful enough to make your own decisions and feel confident in the knowledge that I will do my absolute best to help you achieve your goals for birth. 

I always encourage people to interview at least 2-3 doulas before deciding who to work with. You only get to birth this baby one time, and it’s so important to find someone you really connect with on this journey. I will attach a link HERE with a list of ideas of questions to ask your doula during an interview! I personally think the best way to know if someone is a good doula for you is your comfort level. Do you feel like you can speak honestly and openly with them? Do you feel listened to and validated? Do you feel like their schedule allows room for your needs? Other signs of a good match could be something as simple as a shared connection. Do you both have a similar life experience? Do you feel calm and reassured when you’re around them? Do you just feel like they “get it”? These are all good things to consider as you find the right person for you!

I completely understand that finances are difficult to manage, especially in such an unexpected time in life. There is good news though! There are so many creative ways to afford my fees. These can look like asking family and friends to contribute to a fund in lieu of baby gifts, using your HSA/FSA account, setting up a payment plan with me, or cutting down extra costs like going out to eat and going to the movies. Another great way to bring the cost of my services down is through bartering. Do you have a skill you could provide for me or a hobby you could teach me? I am more than happy to trade time and skill sets for a lower cost to you.