FAQ

Does a doula replace my husband/friend/mom/etc. who will be with me during labor and birth?

No.  A doula cannot replace the crucial role of the father or any other loved one who may be at the birth.  Quite often, a doula has a level of knowledge and experience regarding labor and birth that your birth companion may not. Also, fathers, grandmothers, and close friends may have their own emotional response in witnessing the mother experience labor and may benefit from a reassuring birth professional present. A doula can enhance the role of the father or birth companion and help him become more involved to the level he desires.  She can also spell the father so that he can rest, eat, and take care of himself while ensuring that the mother in labor is never alone.

Do I need a doula for a planned c-section?

In the event of a planned cesarean section, I believe that having a doula is still invaluable. Prior to the surgery, the mother and father have the benefit of a reassuring birth professional that may help calm any nerves before surgery.  Also, the surgery itself takes only a few minutes and the mother undergoes the surgical repair for about an hour afterwards. If the father needs to go and be with the baby straightaway, the doula can remain by the mother during the remainder of the surgery so the mother does not need to be alone.  A doula also provides much needed practical help surrounding the surgery – being in charge of all your items in the waiting room, communicating with any family members, and especially with breastfeeding support after surgery. Practical Note: In my personal practice, should the labor be extremely rapid or turn into a planned c-section, I would provide 4-6 hours of postpartum assistance in addition to attending your birth.

Do you take clients who would like a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)?

Absolutely! I think the #1 most important element in a successful VBAC lies in a supportive spouse/partner and care provider. I think the #2 most important element lies in having a great doula!

How is a doula different from a midwife?

A doula provides non-medical support and her primary concern is the emotional well being of the mother and family members. While a midwife may provide excellent emotional care to her clients, her primary concern is ensuring the medical health of her clients. A doula does not conduct exams or any other medical procedure that a midwife would otherwise conduct.

What if the mother is not planning a natural birth?

My role as a doula is to support you in pursuing an empowering, positive, birth experience however the mother defines it. I will support you in your decisions without judgment, and I prioritize helping you make informed choices regarding your birth path, whether it is drug-free, medicated, or surgical.

Do I have to have my baby at home or a birthing center to have a doula?

No. It can be incredibly helpful to have a doula if you are planning on birthing at a hospital. There can be many things to navigate in a hospital setting such as deciphering hospital protocol, making informed decisions about hospital procedures and interventions, and how to communicate effectively with the medical staff.

Why does the birth experience matter? Isn’t all that matters is that there is a healthy baby?

Absolutely, the most important outcome is a healthy baby and a healthy mother. With this in mind, I believe it is beneficial to the health of the baby and the mother if the mother has a positive, uplifting, and empowering birth experience however the mother defines it. The mother’s feelings surrounding an unhappy birth when the baby is healthy are often dismissed. However, many people do not give enough credit to the health interdependency between the mother and newborn baby. If a mother suffers postpartum depression correlated with a traumatic or negative birth experience, the mother can experience lack of interest in baby, lack of energy, loss of pleasure, and negative feelings towards her baby and self. Every mother will forever remember how she was treated and how she felt at the birth of her child. Childbirth is a key experience in the relationship between the mother and child… why shouldn’t the mother’s family, health care providers and community encourage a birth environment that leaves a mother feeling proud, loved, and empowered?