Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is a doula?

A doula supports the birthing person during pregnancy, labor and helps support the family after the baby is born. The doula provides educational support to ensure that the birthing person can make informed decisions about their labor.

My partner will be with me at the birth. Why do I need a doula?

While your partner, friends and family are a great support system, they are not trained in evidenced based information and familiar with situations that can occur in labor. As your doula, I am committed to continued education and professionally trained. Your partner and I will work as a team to support you and provide the best birthing experience for you as possible.

Can a doula attend births at home, in the hospital, or at a birthing center?

Yes! Doulas can attend home births, hospital births and birthing center births. You are responsible for informing your caregiver that a doula will be present at your birth and ensuring the doula will be allowed to support you.

What does a doula do?

What you can expect from me as your doula is to provide information and resources to help educate you on all of the options available to you. During labor, I will emotionally and physically support you through facilitating your birth plan, creating a peaceful and positive environment by administering hip squeezes, aromatherapy, music, and other comfort measures. After the baby is born, if you wish to chest feed, I will assist with the baby’s first latch. Within the first two weeks of the baby coming home, I will visit you at home and help you process your birth story, help with light housework, chest feeding, and newborn care.

Won’t the nurses and my doctor support me during labor?

Your doctor and nurses are focused on keeping you and your baby safe. They will have other patients and responsibilities that they will need to attend to. Your doula will be focused on your educational, emotional and physical needs as well as your comfort. Your doula’s sole role is to support you.

What is the difference between a birth, postpartum and full spectrum doula?

A birth doula will support you during your pregnancy and labor. A postpartum doula will support you after you bring your baby home. As a full spectrum doula, I can offer support during pregnancy, labor and after you bring the baby home.

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

A midwife is a healthcare provider that has medical training and will focus on delivering the baby. A doula does not have medical training. The doula will focus on the needs of the birthing person and will offer mental, physical and emotional support.

Will doulas push an unmedicated childbirth on their clients?

Not at all. As a professional doula, it is my job to share information and educate my clients and help advocate for the birth YOU CHOOSE. I am here to provide non-judgemental, unbiased support to ensure that you have the birth that you want to have. Whether you choose to have an unmedicated birth, medicated birth, or a Cesarean, I will be there to support you and cheer you on.

What is the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression (PPD)?

Most birthing persons experience baby blues after giving birth as a result of sudden change in hormones, stress and lack of sleep.  It typically occurs within the first few days of delivery and lasts up to two weeks.  

  • Postpartum depression can look like baby blues except its symptoms are much more severe (such as suicidal thoughts or an inability to care for your newborn) and last longer than two weeks.  Symptoms include:

    • Withdrawing from your partner or unable to bond with baby

    • High levels of anxiety

    • Trouble sleeping

    • Trouble eating

    • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

    • Develop thoughts of death or you wish you were not alive

  • This free postpartum depression screening tool can help detect if you may have PPD. 

  • If you think you or your partner is experiencing postpartum depression, speak to your care provider as soon as possible.