FAQs

 

What are the benefits of hiring a doula?

Decrease in:

  • Cesarean birth

  • Unwanted epidural use

  • Unwanted pain medication use

  • NICU stays

  • Vacuum or forceps use

  • Postpartum depression and anxiety

  • Low five minute Apgar score

  • Use of Pitocin

Increase in:

  • Spontaneous vaginal birth

  • Breastfeeding success

  • Satisfaction with the birth experience

  • Shortened labor

“Although continuous support can also be offered by birth partners, midwives, nurses, or even some physicians, research has shown that with some outcomes, doulas have a stronger effect than other types of support persons. As such, doulas should be viewed by both parents and providers as a valuable, evidence-based member of the birth care team.” -Evidence Based Birth

Are doulas only for certain types of birth? Do I have to have an unmedicated birth?

There is no wrong way to birth your baby and you deserve support no matter how it happens! We are here to support YOUR birth choices - not ours, not your family’s, nor anyone else’s. Your birth, your body, your baby, your choices. Doulas support and are beneficial to every type of birth, including medicated labors and scheduled cesareans.

Does doula support replace my partner’s support?

Not at all! We are big on involving your partner to whatever extent you both feel comfortable. Birth is a hormonal event, so having your loved one directly involved in supporting you is beneficial to your labor. We combine that hormonal benefit from them with our doula skillset to give you the most effective support.

Is it ever too early or too late to hire a doula?

We have had clients hire us everywhere from pre-pregnancy to 37 weeks pregnant. There is no wrong time to hire a doula! We recommend reaching out sooner rather than later to prevent our schedule from being filled up already.

Are midwives and doulas the same thing? Do I need both of them?

A midwife is your medical provider, so they take care of you and baby from a medical standpoint. They monitor things like your health status, baby's heart tones, labor progression, cervical checks, medications, etc. A great midwife will also be hands on and utilize similar skills as a doula! But, they often also have to tend to other moms in labor and can't stay with you the whole time. Midwives are awesome!

A doula is your own personal support person. We provide physical, emotional, informational, and family support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. In pregnancy we provide education, help with emotional coping, and help you develop your birth vision and how we as a team can help make that happen. During labor, we provide continuous support in all four facets listed above. Things like physical comfort measures, helping you understand what is happening and make decisions, help ensure your birth vision is being honored whenever possible, support and coach your partner / family, take photos, emotional support through contractions, etc. We do not perform any medical care. Postpartum, we help with whatever is needed. More education, breastfeeding support, processing the birth, newborn care - anything you need.

The bottom line is that they are completely different jobs and both are immensely valuable to the family! Doulas and midwives are both evidence-based to improve mom and baby health outcomes.