FAQ
What is a doula?
The word "doula" is the Greek word for "female servant". The word, and the trade, date back thousands of years, but is seeing a resurgence in our current birth climate. Doulas provide unconditional, unbiased support and education throughout pregnancy and birth so that a mother can make her own, educated decisions about her care. They are not medical professionals, and make no medical recommendations, but are well versed in the anatomy, physiology and psychology of pregnancy. They guide mothers to the questions that they need to ask and topics they need to raise with their health care providers. Doulas work in collaboration with, and not in place of, a medical professional. Doulas are also well trained in natural pain management techniques and provide comfort and support for the duration of labor. The combination of education and comfort helps a mother find her inner strength and empowers her to have a healthy, successful birth that she will not fear, or look back at with regret.
Who needs a doula?
Every mother deserves a doula. A doula is an essential tool in any pregnancy. Even more so than hiring a "planner" in other important life events, investing in a doula means investing in peace of mind that you have guidance, comfort and support in your decisions.
How will a doula work with my partner?
A doula works with a partner and not "instead of" a partner. It is very important for partners to understand that doulas do not replace their role, and so partners are included in every step of the consultation and prenatal visits. Doulas are there to help partners decide how they want to be involved with the birth, provide a seasoned birth presence that comforts a partner unfamiliar with birth, gives partners a chance to take a break from support during a long labor, and help partners feel like they are contributing in a constructive way to the experience.
How will a doula work with my healthcare provider?
A professional, ethical doula understands that the healthcare provider is the medical professional. The doula is the support team. Many doulas, including myself, like to meet the healthcare provider before the birth, so that they are comfortable with their presence. Doulas do not make medical decisions, and do not fight the medical staff during labor and birth.
When do I call my doula?
Call your doula anytime, for any questions. Doulas are very accustomed to odd hours, and late night phone calls are not just anticipated, they are generally expected! Call your doula if you need to chat after a prenatal appointment. Call your doula if you have a medical complication arise (after you have checked it out with your healthcare provider). Call your doula when you think you're in labor, even if you're not. Doulas are trained to recognize an established labor pattern, and can join the laboring mother as early or as late in the process as she desires. If ever in doubt, call your doula!
Why does a doula charge what she does?
A doula's fee takes into consideration hours spent in prenatal visits, being on call, gas for visits, and, quite often, child care costs for their own children. Doulas are an intensive, concentrated service and are treated as such in cost, but not in a way that is impossible to afford. They average about 26 hours of service per birth, often more. Amnos Birth and Beginnings offer payment plans, and will consider bartering of services for doula support. It is very, very important that every mother feels she can have the services of a doula in her reach, despite her financial status.
Do you have a backup doula?
Yes. I work closely with other doulas in town, and will have a contracted back up doula available for every birth I take. I am very intentional about keeping my client load low, because I do not intend to call on a backup unless there is an emergency or illness that prevents me from being at a birth. The assigned backup doula is also certified through Childbirth International. Having a backup doula is not an additional fee for the client, and she will be paid for her services.
What kind of births do you attend?
I am comfortable attending births in all settings, from hospital to home births, but the births MUST be attended by a medical professional. I will not attend "unassisted" home births under any circumstances. I have attended VBACs, unmedicated births, medicated births, observed water births, and I'm comfortable with the kind of birth you want!
What is your certification program?
My certification program is through Childbirth International. I received high marks on all testing and written assignments, and have attending well over the number of required births. I plan to pursue Bereavement Doula certification in the spring semester, to better serve clients who experience a pregnancy loss or birth trauma.
What is a doula?
The word "doula" is the Greek word for "female servant". The word, and the trade, date back thousands of years, but is seeing a resurgence in our current birth climate. Doulas provide unconditional, unbiased support and education throughout pregnancy and birth so that a mother can make her own, educated decisions about her care. They are not medical professionals, and make no medical recommendations, but are well versed in the anatomy, physiology and psychology of pregnancy. They guide mothers to the questions that they need to ask and topics they need to raise with their health care providers. Doulas work in collaboration with, and not in place of, a medical professional. Doulas are also well trained in natural pain management techniques and provide comfort and support for the duration of labor. The combination of education and comfort helps a mother find her inner strength and empowers her to have a healthy, successful birth that she will not fear, or look back at with regret.
Who needs a doula?
Every mother deserves a doula. A doula is an essential tool in any pregnancy. Even more so than hiring a "planner" in other important life events, investing in a doula means investing in peace of mind that you have guidance, comfort and support in your decisions.
How will a doula work with my partner?
A doula works with a partner and not "instead of" a partner. It is very important for partners to understand that doulas do not replace their role, and so partners are included in every step of the consultation and prenatal visits. Doulas are there to help partners decide how they want to be involved with the birth, provide a seasoned birth presence that comforts a partner unfamiliar with birth, gives partners a chance to take a break from support during a long labor, and help partners feel like they are contributing in a constructive way to the experience.
How will a doula work with my healthcare provider?
A professional, ethical doula understands that the healthcare provider is the medical professional. The doula is the support team. Many doulas, including myself, like to meet the healthcare provider before the birth, so that they are comfortable with their presence. Doulas do not make medical decisions, and do not fight the medical staff during labor and birth.
When do I call my doula?
Call your doula anytime, for any questions. Doulas are very accustomed to odd hours, and late night phone calls are not just anticipated, they are generally expected! Call your doula if you need to chat after a prenatal appointment. Call your doula if you have a medical complication arise (after you have checked it out with your healthcare provider). Call your doula when you think you're in labor, even if you're not. Doulas are trained to recognize an established labor pattern, and can join the laboring mother as early or as late in the process as she desires. If ever in doubt, call your doula!
Why does a doula charge what she does?
A doula's fee takes into consideration hours spent in prenatal visits, being on call, gas for visits, and, quite often, child care costs for their own children. Doulas are an intensive, concentrated service and are treated as such in cost, but not in a way that is impossible to afford. They average about 26 hours of service per birth, often more. Amnos Birth and Beginnings offer payment plans, and will consider bartering of services for doula support. It is very, very important that every mother feels she can have the services of a doula in her reach, despite her financial status.
Do you have a backup doula?
Yes. I work closely with other doulas in town, and will have a contracted back up doula available for every birth I take. I am very intentional about keeping my client load low, because I do not intend to call on a backup unless there is an emergency or illness that prevents me from being at a birth. The assigned backup doula is also certified through Childbirth International. Having a backup doula is not an additional fee for the client, and she will be paid for her services.
What kind of births do you attend?
I am comfortable attending births in all settings, from hospital to home births, but the births MUST be attended by a medical professional. I will not attend "unassisted" home births under any circumstances. I have attended VBACs, unmedicated births, medicated births, observed water births, and I'm comfortable with the kind of birth you want!
What is your certification program?
My certification program is through Childbirth International. I received high marks on all testing and written assignments, and have attending well over the number of required births. I plan to pursue Bereavement Doula certification in the spring semester, to better serve clients who experience a pregnancy loss or birth trauma.