Below you’ll find answers to commonly asked questions about birth doula support, including my role during pregnancy, labor and postpartum, and how I work alongside medical providers.
This page is designed to help you feel informed, confident, and supported as you explore doula care in Houston and surrounding areas.
What is a birth doula?
A birth doula is an experienced professional who will assist you and your partner during labor and birth by providing continuous physical, emotional, and informational support. We will be supportive of you and your partner in the prenatal and postpartum. A birth doula can provide varying levels of support. If you are laboring without a birth partner, then your doula will provide primary support, handling all of your physical and emotional needs. If you are laboring with a birth partner, then your doula is there as a secondary support system providing both emotional and hands-on support.
Are you a Certified Doula?
Yes! I am a DONA International certified birth doula. I have maintained certified status with DONA International since 2016, staying up to date with the best practices in the field. In 2018, I became a Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator. As a certified professional through Spinning Babies®, I am equipped with the knowledge and skills to teach the Spinning Babies® Birth Preparation Class, aimed at empowering parents with techniques to enhance their pregnancy and birthing experience. With my extensive experience as a childbirth educator, I am dedicated to promoting optimal learning and support for expectant parents. Moreover, in 2024, I expanded on my knowlege of pregnancy and birth physiology as an Active Certified Body Ready Method® Pro and Body Ready Birth® Teacher.
When should I hire a birth doula?
Now. 🙂 Well, unless you’re not pregnant, then maybe don’t hire me (yet). Most mothers tend to hire a doula around the second to third trimester. However, I have met with couples starting their TTC journey, then circle back to hire me when they became pregnant. I have also had couples hire me at 39 weeks! Of course there are benefits to hiring a doula earlier in your pregnancy. For example, its more likely that your top choice doula will be available during your due date, more time to develop a relationship, and establish your preferences and birthing goals. Doula support is reserved on a first come, first serve basis.
What are the benefits of hiring a doula?
Birth Doulas are statistically proven to improve outcomes:
- 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin*
- 39% decrease in the risk of C-section*
- 15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth*
- 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
- 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
Continuous support by a trained doula during labor is also linked to shorter labors and greater satisfaction with the birth experience (read more about these studies here). Beyond the numbers, Transcendent Birth® Doula Care offers a holistic approach to pregnancy and birth support. Drawing from a decade of doula experience, and certifications in Spinning Babies® and Body Ready Method®, you can enjoy the benefits of compassionate, non-judgmental support, emotional reassurance and practical physical guidance tailored to your unique needs. From navigating questions and birth preparation during pregnancy to hands-on comfort during labor, a doula can help you feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way!
What a Doula is Not…
We are not medical professionals. While we are very knowledgeable and experienced in the processes of labor and birth, we will not perform any medical procedures or give medical advice as those are out of the scope of our practice. We will help you to ask the right questions, but we will not make any decisions on your behalf.
What happens if I need a C-section?
I will provide continuous support for any type of birth. Vaginal, Cesarean, Medicated, and Unmedicated. I am knowledgeable and experienced in the process of cesarean births, both planned and unplanned. I am able to support you and your partner in any birth situation. If you have a planned cesarean, I will work with you and your partner to help accomplish the birth of your dreams. I can help plan for procedures, skin-to-skin, and photography (hospital-allowing). I will arrive at the hospital with you and depending on the hospital policy of the number of support people, I will be in the room with you during surgery, or join you in recovery. In post-op, I will be waiting to help you establish breastfeeding if those are your wishes! In an unplanned emergency or non-emergency situation, I will do the above procedures as well! Labor is unpredictable and I can support you however you need me to do so!
When should I sign up for the Spinning Babies® Birth Preparation class?
As soon as your feel comfortable, but preferably before you give birth! I recommend attending the class around 26 weeks so that you can begin to implement some of the prenatal movement strategies to alleviate discomfort. However, waiting longer into the third trimester is perfectly fine as well!
Do you come to my home or the hospital/birthing center for my birth?
I will do both! My goal is to support you and keep you comfortable during labor. If you want me to join you at home I will, and I can also help you decide when to leave for your chosen birth location.
Do you replace my partner during labor?
Absolutely not. A birth doula knows birth, and your partner knows you. Our working together makes the best possible team to support you and help navigate through the journey of your birth. Doulas help the partner as well during this process. Often during birth, a partner wants to help and doesn’t quite know how. This is when a doula can help give the partner confidence in their abilities, the reassurance in the situations that your labor may bring. We help provide information about interventions, risks, and benefits, in addition to reminding your partner to ask questions (since there may be times when you are unable to think or speak clearly). Our presence allows the partner to take breaks as needed without breaking your continuous support during labor. We provide extra hands during labor to make your birth experience wonderful.
Do you support clients that plan to have an epidural?
Yes! I support your birth preferences, and ensure you have all of the information you need to feel confident and empowered as you bring your baby into the world. Prenatally, we will discuss how we will utilize movement (yes, even with an epidural), for a more efficient labor!
Who can attend the Spinning Babies Birth Preparation class with me?
Your supportive birth partner. This can be your spouse, partner, sibling, best friend, doula, or mother. Ideally the person you choose will also be in the birth room with you. Only one support partner may participate in the class.
When will you arrive at my birth?
We will be communicating over the phone during the early stages of your labor so that I may provide you with support prior to my arrival. I will meet you prenatally to determine your birth preferences, which include travel time to the hospital, as well as when you would like me to join you. If you are progressing quickly, or you may be in transition, I will recommend meeting at the hospital. Birth is unpredictable so I will be completely available to support you no matter what time of day (or night)!
Still have questions or wondering if we’re a good fit?
Proudly providing doula support to Houston area families since 2016!
Affiliated Organizations
