What is a doula?

The word doula means to serve. In birth work doula’s provide loving and informed care in the stages of pregnancy, throughout labor, and postpartum. Doula’s do not operate in a clinical scope of practice. So from us you can expect emotional, physical, and informational support! Doula’s provide this support with a loving, nurturing, non-judgmental, and open-minded approach to meet YOUR birth needs and wishes. This may look like resources on how to prepare for labor, creating a birth plan together, hip-squeezes mid-labor, a back-rub during contractions, information about newborn procedures, and much more.

Does a doula take away from the partner playing a role in labor?

No, the doula’s job is to be a caring birth partner ALONGSIDE any fathers, friends, family, or other birth partner(s) present. It is the doulas job to also support other birth partners in their unique journey within the birth space. This may look like reminding a dad of how he can comfort the birthing person in labor or informing others present to be the hand to hold. Doula’s aid in finding where other birth partners can be comfortable in their active support role, our job is not to replace a partner - EVER. After all, partners know the birthing person’s personality, needs, and preferences in an incredibly initiate way that a doula does not.

I’ve birthed before, do I need a doula this time?

Each birth of a child is not only special but unique. A doula can give reassurance when birth doesn’t go as expected, feels different, is in a difference environment, and more. Doula’s can also help support existing members of a family in preparing to welcome a new addition - especially when someone is gaining the role of BIG “sister” or BIG “brother!

I am having a cesarean or hospital birth, can I have a doula?

YES! A doula is there to walk alongside you, in YOUR birth journey regardless of what that may look like. Doula’s can be powerful advocates, as well as empower woman to advocate for themselves. A doula can help prepare and come up with a postpartum plan specific to cesareans. In the hospital setting a doula can comfort, support, empower, and engage with clients the same way they would at a home birth. A doula is to work alongside their client and their care team / medical staff to aim for a healthy birth and healthy mom, not against them. While providing, valuable continuous, one-on-one care within the medical setting.

I am not planning to breastfeed, will a doula still support me?

YES! There is no wrong way to feed a baby. Making informed decisions on what is best for you and your baby is the heart of doula support. All methods of feeding are supported!

I am planning on having pain medication or an epidural, should I still have a doula?

YES! Whichever way you choose to birth your baby, is supported unconditionally. Whether you decide to go unmedicated or medicated the choice is yours. Pain is okay, suffering is not. Your autonomy, choice, consent, and power matters in making decisions you feel is best for you, your body, and baby. Together we can make a plan that meets your presences in a way that I can best support these choices that are yours, to make!