QUESTION: Are doulas only for home births, natural births, and hippies?
Absolutely not! A doula provides support for ALL types of births. Caesarean births, VBACs, breech babies, and medicated births all benefit greatly from the unique support of a doula. Also, in cases where previous birth experiences have resulted in birth trauma, a doula can provide the support to help reverse the negative residue of those previous birth experiences. Schedule a free consultation to discuss the specific benefits my doula support could provide for YOUR situation! 970-759-1273
QUESTION: Is a doula the same thing as a midwife?
No. A doula DOES NOT perform clinical/medical tasks such as cervical checks, fetal monitoring, or deliver the baby (unless a medical provider is unavailable). A doula provides education, physical, and emotional support to prepare and support clients throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Midwives and obstetricians are not birth coaches and are primarily only present at the end of labor – for the pushing, birth, and stage 3 postpartum stages. A doula stays with clients from active labor through birth and into a couple hours postpartum.
QUESTION: Will a doula replace my husband or partner?
The presence of a doula should not displace or replace a partner who desires to be involved. The goal should be to enhance the bonding experience between partners, not diminish it. In cases where the partner prefers limited/no involvement then the doula will assume the primary role of emotional and physical support.
QUESTIONS: Why hire a doula? Doesn’t the hospital already provide medical staff to take care of my needs?
Medical staff do provide for your medical needs. However, they cannot provide you with continuous physical and emotional care and coaching throughout your labor. Also, due to shift changes, different medical personal will come and go. Hiring a doula provides you with ONE familiar face who will stay by your side. A doula is someone who knows YOUR desires, preferences, fears, and needs are and is there to serve ONLY YOU through the duration of your labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum.
QUESTION: When is the best time to hire a doula?
The earlier you begin interviewing doulas the greater chance you’ll have at multiple options, and therefore getting the one you want (not just the one that’s available). Establishing relationship early is also beneficial because you have access to your doula’s educational resources earlier in pregnancy.
QUESTION: When is it too late to hire a doula?
It’s never too late to try! You might be limited in selection, but I’ve taken on last minute clients within weeks and days of their due date! Sometimes circumstances present themselves at the end and cause a momma to realize she needs/wants that added doula support and I will do whatever I can in my schedule to accommodate that desire!
QUESTION: Why would I hire a doula if I’m just going to get an epidural?
Getting an epidural is just one tool among many that can be used to create a positive birth experience. However, it is a misconception that getting an epidural will mean a pain-free or non-traumatic birth. Epidurals in and of themselves can often create problems and sometimes lead to Ceserean births, therefore hiring a doula to help guide decision making throughout the labor experience can help prevent using an epidural too soon or ineffectively, when other options may be more advantageous. Hospital advocacy to prevent a cascade of interventions, as well as position changes and comfort techniques, are still a huge benefits provided by doula support, even when pain management is accomplished through an epidural.
QUESTION: What if I have to have a Cesarean due to breech baby or other complications – what does doula support provide?
Cesarean procedures can be very disorienting, as the mind and body do experience some dissociation even though the procedure is typically done with patient fully awake. There are many psychological factors that disorient the momma and create fear, even PTSD responses. Typically doulas are not allowed inside the operating room, HOWEVER! I have been advocating for my clients for 4 years in order to provide continuous doula support IN THE OPERATING ROOM – providing skin-to-skin bonding with baby, photos of the birth experience, calming hypnobirthing music, as well as physical comfort in the forms of head and hand massage and gentle acupressure facial massage. These simple soothing techniques provide a sense of mind-body connection to avoid the dissociative affects of the surgery. Clients report that with my continuous doula support in the operating room their Ceserean felt more like a birth rather than a surgery. Read the testimonials from the “Cesarean Testimonials” tab for more insight!