What is a 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 certified birth doula. I have gone through a thorough certification (and recertification) process by an internationally recognized organization. My certification means that I follow a code of ethics and standards of practice, and my performance as a birth doula has been evaluated and vetted by DONA.
When should I hire a Doula?
Now. Well, unless you’re not pregnant, then maybe don’t hire me. 🙂 Most mothers tend to hire a doula around the second to third trimester. The earlier you hire me, the sooner we can develop a relationship, and provide support. But I have also had clients hire me at 36 weeks! I support 2-3 clients’ due dates a month in order to fully support each family.
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. We will not communicate your wishes to your care providers, but we will help you to communicate them.
What are the benefits of hiring a doula?
Birth Doulas are statistically proven to improve outcomes:
- 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin*
- 28% decrease in the risk of C-section*
- 12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth*
- 9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
- 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
- 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience*
Read the full article here on the positive evidence of doula support.
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 so I may be able to support you and your partner in any 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 will you arrive at my birth?
We will be communicating over the phone during the different 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)!
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.
Does a Doula 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 know quite how to. 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 be able 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 you in all of the choices of your birth. I will honor your wishes for your birth experience cause all birth is amazing.
Who can attend the Spinning Babies® Parent class with me?
Your supportive birth partner(s). We do have to limit the number of supportive partners that can come to the childbirth education classes to 1.
When should I sign up for the Spinning Babies® Parent 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!