As doulas, we don’t catch babies…
we hold mothers.
To be a mother is to be a giver of life…
And to give birth is a sacred thing.
I believe that as women, our bodies were made to birth. My goal is to work so that you can bring your baby into the world in the way that you desire, with respect, care, and honor given to you, your partner, and your baby as they make their entrance earthside.
FAQs
What is a doula?
The word doula means female servant, helper, maidservant.
A doula is a birth worker who supports you in your journey into motherhood physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I help to educate you in the process of labor and delivery and what helps your baby to be born in a smooth and safe way. My goal is to help you achieve the birth you hope for.
Partners benefit from hiring a doula as well! I answer questions, act as a helping hand, and guide your partner into how they can best support you and be involved in the entrance of your little one into the world.
What does a doula NOT do?
Doulas are not medical professionals. We are not the same as midwives, though holistic midwives tend to have many similar characteristics as doulas in regard to providing a calming presence and continuous support.
Doulas do not catch babies, perform cervical exams, or administer medicine.
What is the difference between a birth doula and a postpartum doula?
A birth doula provides care in the weeks leading up to and specifically at the birth of your baby. I provide 4 prenatal visits beforehand, on-call support from 38 weeks of pregnancy and onward, as well as one postpartum visit with my Birth Doula Package.
Postpartum doulas focus on providing care in the weeks to months after your baby has arrived. I help to support you by providing answers to any questions you may have, run errands, upkeep the house, assist with breastfeeding, and give your growing family a foundation of help in the first few months after delivery.
Are payment plans available?
The Birth Doula Package may be eligible for insurance coverage if you request an invoice. Because my support for your labor and delivery falls under healthcare, if you have a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), Health Savings Account (HSA), or a Flex Spending Account (FSA), you may be able to get partial reimbursement.
Payment plans also available. Please contact me for more details.
When is the best time to hire a doula?
The sooner the better! There is no official cut off to contract me as your birth doula, but sometime during your second trimester, such as around 20 to 25 weeks, is a good time to schedule an interview to see if we could make a great birth team! This also gives you a higher chance of my availability still being open for your due date.
What happens if I have a really long labor?
As a doula, my goal is to provide you constant support, beginning when you first call me to be present while you are in labor until an hour or two after your baby is born.
With that being said, in the case of a prolonged labor, my own illness, or family emergency, I make sure to have a back up doula available. To care for my own needs, in the case of prolonged labor of more than 18 hours, I may call the backup so that I can go home and rest for a few hours before returning.
In what settings do you serve your clients?
I serve my clients in hospitals, birth centers, and at home births! Your provider and place of birth is up to you and I will support you to achieve the birth you desire in any of those settings.
With that being said, I do not attend free births without the presence of a certified midwife.
What are the benefits of having a doula at my birth?
Doulas provide continuous in-person support for your birth, and are on call from week 38 of your pregnancy onward. In the weeks leading up, they provide you with labor and delivery education catered to you. Afterwards, they help with the transition to breastfeeding and postpartum.
A big part of a doula’s job is advocacy for her client. Protecting your birthing space and making sure that you are heard, as well as granted informed consent in your decision-making, in any birth setting, are crucial elements of what we do.
Doulas also help you to achieve better birth outcomes! With a doula, you have a 39% decrease in the chance of cesarean, a 15% increase in the chance of having a spontaneous vaginal delivery, a 10% decrease in the usage of pain medications, shorter labor, a 38% decrease in the risk of the baby having a low APGAR score, and a 31% decrease in the risk of dissatisfaction with the birth experience, according to Evidence Based Birth.
“If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.” -Sheryl Feldman
The Socials
Contact Me
I’d love to connect with you! To learn more about how I can serve you as a doula, or to book a 1 hour FREE consultation, send me a message!