What if you are not available when I go into labor? I’m partnered with a doula collaborative where we serve each of our clients in a group style. We are a small group so we can keep your pregnancy and birth an intimate experience and you will get to meet each of our birth doulas. This set up allows us to provide our best selves to our clients and our families. We also are backup doulas for each other in the rare occasion that two clients are in labor at once.
What are the benefits of having a doula? The benefits, in my personal experiences with having a doula at my births, were feeling emotionally supported and confident, knowing what I wanted and when I needed help to cope with labor, physical pain relief, and reminding me what I needed to do to get through each contraction when my mind would begin to become unfocused and become fearful. Here are some statistics from a Cochrane review done of more than 15,000 people. Having a Doula: decreased cesarean risks by 39%, a 15% increase in spontaneous vaginal birth, 10% decrease in the use of any pain medications, shorter labors, 38% decrease in the risk of a low five minute infant APGAR score, 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience. New York State also recognizes the benefit of having a doula and has implemented a pilot program to help have some insurances cover doula services.
If I hire a doula, can I still have pain medications in labor? Yes! While I love helping birthing people have a successful drug free birth, I also understand that sometimes pain medicine is very needed to achieve a vaginal birth. I can help decide which medication is best and the best time to receive one, and will also help you cope with labor until your pain management can be administered. One side effect of pain medication is that it may slow labor, if this happens, I can help keep labor moving along.
Will my partner feel left out if I hire a doula? No. A plan and roles of the support people you choose will be discussed prior to labor and I will help your support people be involved in your labor and birth, in whatever capacity you decide. This can mean physical, emotional, or both. Labor can be tiring on the support people too, and a doula can help the support people rest or replenish themselves as needed without leaving the birthing person alone.
Will you support a VBAC? Yes! It’s important to find a VBAC supportive medical provider, in most cases VBAC is perfectly safe and I would love to support you.
Will you support a water birth? Yes, I have had one water birth myself and it was a great experience. Water in labor can be a great pain relief. Not all places of birth have this option available, but there are some local options if you decide to have a water birth. I will not get in the water, but I will still offer tub-side hands on support to you and your partner.
Will you attend an unassisted birth? No, a medical provider such as an OB or Midwife must plan to be present for me to agree to serve as your doula.
Can my other children be present for the birth? If your medical provider has agreed to this, I would love to support your family during your labor and birth.
Are there payment options available? Yes. Please contact me to discuss your options and needs. FSA and HSA cards may also be used in most cases.
What happens during a postpartum visit? We may talk about your feelings around your birth and other emotions you are feeling postpartum. We will go over your provider’s recovery instructions and make sure you don’t have any questions about what they have instructed. I will make sure the baby is feeding well and answer any questions you may have about caring for your newborn and yourself. I will make sure you have stations set up to make your time without any help as easy as possible. I can offer tips based on my knowledge and experience. I will also watch the baby while you eat, shower or sleep, whatever you feel you need at that time. If baby allows, I will also help out with some house chores that the birthing person usually is responsible for.