FAQ

What does a doula really do, and why do I need one?

A birth doula plays an integral role during the prenatal, birth, and postpartum season. Consider your doula your family’s go-to person for information, resources, and advice, and as your practical, physical, and emotional support person from the beginning of your pregnancy to your postpartum closing visit. By offering personalized, committed care throughout your pregnancy, a birth doula can impact a woman's confidence, courage, and endurance during labor, and thus shorten labors, reduce the need for interventions, and mitigate the risks associated with these interventions.

As an added benefit, your primary support person can rest assured that, should they need a break from the labor room, mom is being well cared for by your doula. Rather than trying to catch your nurses between tasks or losing your nurses every shift change, a couple can rely on their doula to be an ever-present source of comfort and care. She is there to get you coffee, grab your lunch, and greet visitors at the door to help them find your room. She will hold your hand with every contraction, fulfill your every request, and encourage you to trust in yourself. The only time you have to feel alone is when you want to be left alone.

I was considering a family member or close friend to fill in this role for me...couldn't they do this?

Although having family members present during such a memorable occasion can be a tremendous blessing and addition to the birth process, it is recommended to have a professional fill the role of a birth doula. A birth doula has specialized training that equips her in the areas of comfort measures, relaxation techniques, massage, pain management, positioning, and more, which sets her apart from the support offered by a family member. Furthermore, (although highly invested in your labor and birth) a professional birth doula doesn’t have the emotional connection to you that a family member does, thus making her the ideal support person to affirm and uphold all your wishes, without bias or personal opinion to overshadow them.

When should I hire a doula?

The earlier, the better. It is recommended that you start your search in your second trimester, talk to and interview a couple of doulas, and determine who is the best fit for you. You deserve someone you feel an easy connection with and someone you feel fits your personality and needs.

Do I have to have a home birth to hire a birth doula?

While there are doulas out there who exclusively work home births, doulas can be useful in ANY scenario! Not only can you have a hospital or birth center birth, you are also not required to labor in any particular way. This means that you are welcomed as a client if you elect a cesarean, plan to use an epidural, have a strong support team, or any other choice that you may freely make--just as much as you are welcomed if you are giving birth at home, desire to labor without medication, or require a labor partner.

What should I do if I can't get a sitter for an appointment? Will you have your child/children with you?