Birth Doula Frequently Asked Questions
A birth doula provides emotional and physical support, along with resources and birth preparation to an expecting family prenatally, during birth, and shortly after.
Birth doulas meet with you prenatally, offers support throughout your labor and birth, and is there for you as you transition into your postpartum chapter.
Some things that are included in doula work: prenatal visits, telephone/email support, on-call availability, continuity of care, assistance and support during labor and birth, assistance with optimal fetal positioning (which can be discussed prenatally and utilized during the birth process), aromatherapy, massage, photography, breastfeeding support, resources and much more.
A doula is a non-medical support person who focuses on caring for you emotionally and physically and helps you to feel informed and empowered. While they often have similar approaches, a midwife differs from a doula in a very large way. A midwife is a *medical* professional, meaning that the primary focus of their care is on the health and safety of you and your baby. Both doulas and midwives work with you prenatally, support you throughout the birth and follow up with you postpartum.
Specifically at a birth, doulas are often found doing hip squeezes, refilling your water bottle, providing guidance and reassurance (to you and your partner), and repeating affirmations that empower you. At a birth, midwives may be found doing similar things to a doula, but their top priorities include: ensuring that you and baby's vital signs are stable, assessing you and your baby, completing cervical exams when needed, administering medication if necessary, and catching the baby you are birthing.
Doulas and midwives go together like peanut butter and jelly!
Whether you want to give birth at home or by scheduled cesarean, birth doulas support ALL kinds of births. A large majority of doulas can be found in hospitals and birth centers. Some doulas have "specialties" or certain styles that they bring to the table, meaning that they might be a better fit for a certain idea you have for your birth. Experience and additional training do come into play here.
Doulas support any and all birth, from midwife-supported home births to birth center births to unmedicated hospital births to scheduled cesarean births.
The earlier the better really. Typically, the beginning of your third trimester is a good time to have your doula secured by. We often recommend that you start your search in your second trimester, talk to and interview a couple of doulas, and really determine who is the best fit for you. You deserve someone you feel an easy connection with and someone who you feel fits your personality and needs.
*If you consider yourself a planner or someone who experiences anxiety more often, hiring a doula earlier in your pregnancy might be more beneficial. This allows you to really form that trusting relationship and feel unconditionally supported as you navigate the emotional and mental ups and downs.
A common question we get is, "Will my partner feel left out?" Honestly, this is a very valid question. Many think that a doula takes the role of the partner when, in fact, our role supports them as well. We firmly believe that our role as your doula is to amplify support, and that goes for your partner too.
We have worked with many different birthing partners, yet they all have one thing in common: Your partner knows you better than anyone else. Even if they aren't sure how to support you in labor/birth, they know your fears, preferences, and desires.
We work with your partner by encouraging them, offering guidance and suggestions when needed, reminding them to also stay hydrated take bathroom breaks, and more. If your partner has witnessed a birth before, they still deserve support and the comfort of knowing they are supported as well.
Absolutely! As mentioned in an earlier question, doulas support all types of birth. While you may not request much physical support, there are emotional and informational ways your doula can support you.
A doula can benefit you and your partner if:
A doula can help you find a rhythm and stay informed and can ensure that you are cared for emotionally and mentally. Some pain medications take the edge off (like nitrous oxide), while others may be more effective in taking the sharpness away (like an epidural).
Sometimes there is still a need for other coping techniques, such as counterpressure, that we may need to utilize. Having a doula can reassure you that you have more tools at your fingertips. Perhaps you feel you are coping well with the discomfort of labor-- wonderful!
A doula can ensure that you and your partner's emotions are supported and that you continue to receive any information you would like. The physical support piece does not fully go away either; you and your doula still have things like massage or positioning as options.
At cesarean births, whether they are planned or not, doulas are useful to help with cesarean birth preparedness, balancing emotions and thoughts, and keeping you informed of the options you still have in the operating room.
You deserve the best! Each doula is unique and there are a few things that come into play.
Tip: If you connect well with more than one doula, consider hiring one as primary and asking the other doula to be the back up doula in the unlikely event that your primary doula is unable to attend your birth. A certified, professional doula is taught to acquire a back up doula. Ask if your hired doula works with specific back up doulas or is open to suggestions/guidance from you.
Yes, Belly Casting is a wonderful reminder of the once-in-a-lifetime event of being pregnant and is an amazing way to memorialize your baby bump.
There is really no limitation, however, we recommend a belly cast to be made between 30 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. To take as close to full term as possible around 36/37 weeks is completely safe, however, anytime from 30 weeks is fine too but of course the bigger the bump the more effective so 36/37 weeks is perfect.
Preparing for a belly cast: Since belly casting is done with water, we recommend you bring an extra set of undergarments with you so you don't go home wet. We will provide clean water and towels for you after your casting session.
Depending on the finish your choose will determine how long it will take to finish your cast. Please contact the office for an approximate time frame. You will be given a pick-date with your receipt. We will also notify you by phone when your cast is ready to be picked up. You must pick up your cast with-in the next 3 days of being notified to avoid a $3.00 daily storage fee. Cast left over 30 days will be considered abandoned and become property of Mommy and Baby First.
Yes, this is completely possible to do. If you want extra Prenatal / Antenatal or Postnatal Sessions this can absolutely be organized for you.
Yes, we can organize a payment plan that works for you.
At Mommy and Baby First, we believe that pregnancy and childbirth are normal, healthy processes. We strive to provide individualized care that supports the natural process of birth.
A postpartum doula comes with endless resources, support, and guidance during the transition into parenthood from the first few weeks to a few months postpartum.
Postpartum doulas work with you during those first moments at home, typically ranging from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. Postpartum doulas provide unbiased, evidence-based information, and create a safe space for you to feel comfortable and cared for. You will receive assistance with newborn care, light household tidying, food preparation, lactation, laundry and more. Postpartum doulas provide critical support during the often overlooked "fourth trimester."
Postpartum doulas support ALL types of families. Regardless of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, etc. --- you deserve a postpartum doula. Twins or more? You are covered. Older siblings? Not a problem.
There is a postpartum doula out there right now that can fit the needs of you and your family. Schedule a consultation with Keenya so she can support you and your family!
This depends on you and how you anticipate your postpartum needs will be met. Some families hire a postpartum doula while they are still pregnant. Maybe a previous experience has encouraged them to secure a postpartum doula early on. Other families start their postpartum journey on their own and then recognize that they would benefit from a doula or want to wait to see if they would require the support. The timing of when you hire a postpartum doula is completely up to you!
Even if you do not hire one ahead of time, researching and knowing your options while pregnant can be helpful when you end up searching for one after you give birth.
Working with your family means that the doula offers encouragement, advice, and guidance as everyone navigates the new transition. Support for the family often looks like suggestions for bottle feeding and bath time, help with preparing dinner, and more.
Yes, a professionally trained postpartum doula makes you the priority. This includes your mental and emotional health, your physical healing from birth, and your sleep. Those needs are often met when a postpartum doula supports another aspect of the family/home.
When you feel your baby is taken care of, the kitchen is organized and your lunch is made, your overall well-being has a chance to feel restful and cared for. A postpartum doula tends to do what you need, sometimes even without needing direction (as long as it's within their scope of practice).
The work you and your postpartum doula do together can look different than someone else's work with them. Each family's needs are unique, therefore your experience and schedule with your postpartum doula will be unique and individualized to fit you and your needs.
Depending on the doula and their availability, you may have them do day or night shifts, ranging anywhere from 2 hours long to 8 hours long. Some doulas even will do longer if needed!
You can choose to have your doula with you once a week or several days a week; again, it's completely between you and your doula. For example, we have done three 6-hour day shifts a week with one family, and two 4-hour evening shifts a week with another family. It all depends on your needs, your doulas availability and offerings, and when you need support.
You deserve the best! Each doula is unique and there are a few things that come into play.
Tip: If you connect well with more than one postpartum doula, consider hiring one as primary and asking the other doula to be the back up doula in the event that your primary postpartum doula cannot be with you for the exact schedule you are looking for. Ask if your hired doula works with specific back up doulas or is open to suggestions/guidance from you. Having a second postpartum doula, even just in case, is a great option if you are in a bind and need some last-minute care!
Yes, this is completely possible to do. If you want extra Prenatal / Antenatal or Postnatal Sessions this can absolutely be organized for you.
Yes, we can organize a payment plan that works for you.
Last updated on December 31, 2024
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