Why do I need a doula if my mom (sister, best friend) is planning to be at the birth?
That's a great question! As your doula, I am trained to provide non-medical labor and birth support. I am able to work with your loved ones who are attending your baby's birth to help support you the best we can! I can help show them comfort measures, or help remind you and them of questions you wanted to ask your medical provider. As someone attending your birth who is not as emotionally involved as your loved ones, I will help to empower you and your loved ones, not replace them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will having you there replace my husband/mom/other birth support person?
Not at all! My role as your doula is to empower your loved ones to support you in the best way they can! I will be able to remind them of the comfort measures and labor positions we discussed and tried out during our prenatal meetings. I can also listen to your medical providers and help you understand what is going on medically. While many hospitals limit the number of visitors you may have, most do not count a doula in this number.
I'm planning a home birth with a midwife. Why do I need a doula?
As your doula, I will be providing non-medical labor and birth support. I am not a medical professional and can not provide medical advice or care. I can, however, help you move into different positions, provide counterpressure, or make you and your husband sandwiches when you get hungry so he doesn't have to leave your side!
Will you "catch" my baby?
No, I am not trained in medical labor and delivery support. My support is physical, emotional, and educational. If birth is imminent, and I arrive before your care provider during a home birth, or there is no time to get you to the hospital in the case you were planning a hospital birth, I will be on the phone with your care provider if you were planning a homebirth, or 911 if you were planning a birth center or hospital birth. I will give your birth partner verbal directions given to me by the trained professionals so the baby can be delivered safely.
What even is a doula, anyway?
A doula is a specially trained non-medical birth and postpartum support person. As your birth doula, I support you and your family before, during, and after the birth of your baby. I have been trained in physical, emotional, and educational support. I can help you write a birth plan, discuss comfort measures during labor and delivery, and help you come up with questions for your care provider you might want to ask in order to be prepared for the birth of your baby.
Can you provide support for me and my baby after the baby is here?
Once your baby arrives, I will continue to be available by phone during business hours for any support you may need, for up to two weeks. I also provide one or two postpartum appointments where I will make sure the baby is feeding well, and connect you to any information or resources you may need in your postpartum recovery. If you aren't sure what you need, feel free to reach out and we can figure it out together.
If you feel you need more support, I have several trained postpartum doulas in my network I can refer you to.
What if you aren't available when I go into labor?
As your doula, I am committed to joining you as soon as you, your birth partner, and I decide you need my support. Usually, that means within 1-2 hours of active labor when the contractions are starting to require more of your concentration. If I am unavailable due to illness or family emergency, I will recommend another doula in my network. I understand birth is a spiritual experience for most people, so I will do my best to recommend a doula who can support you in much the same way as I would if I am unable to attend your birth.
I'm planning to have an epidural, do I still need a doula?
A doula is beneficial, even if you plan to have an epidural. You will still be laboring at home before it is time to go to the hospital, and once you arrive it will take a while to go through triage and be admitted. After you're admitted, there are certain procedures that need to be completed before they can start your epidural. Once you have the epidural, I can continue providing support by recommending different positions, and by reminding you of questions you wanted to ask your care provider. You also need to keep in mind that sometimes even when you are planning to have an epidural, you don't have time for one, it might only work partially or not at all, or you might have a medical reason you can't have one.
How soon should I hire a doula?
The sooner, the better. Many doulas only take on a handful of clients a month, so you should start interviewing doulas as soon as you decide you want to have one attend your birth. I recommend most moms do not hire me until they have had their first appointment with their provider, or they have reached 12 weeks. I work as a part-time doula, so I only take two to three due dates per month. Most doulas recommend starting to interview doulas no later than the beginning of your third trimester. That being said, unless you are in active labor, it's never too late to hire a doula!
I'm planning a Cesarean Section, why do I need a doula?
More and more hospitals are allowing doulas to support their clients during a Cesarean Section. Even if they don't, I can support you as you prepare for surgery, and meet up with you once you are stable, either in the recovery room or once you're transferred to your room. I can help you remember questions you wanted to ask, translate the medical terms for you, and help talk through your anxiety before the surgery, and I can help you with skin to skin, breastfeeding support, and general recovery advice after. I will stick around for at least two hours after surgery. I will be there for you if you need to debrief, also.