Women dedicated to serving women in their journey through motherhood!

What does the word Doula mean?

It is Greek for most favored female servant. As a labor doula, we accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. We draw on our knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and, as needed, communication with the staff to make sure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions in labor.

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Will the doula take the place of my husband or partner?
How will she work with my partner and what will the doula's role be?

She fills the role you need her to fill. She does not take away the role your partner wants to have. She assists and provides guidance to your partner. But the role they have is the one they always have- your lover, provider, protector, best friend, and whatever else they have always been. They do not have to be the birth "guru" and remember everything perfectly from birth classes. The pressure is removed from that role so they can experience labor and birth with less worry. Read this letter from a dad who initially had concerns about this very thing.

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Does the hospital staff accept a doula?

Most hospitals have no policy in regards to doulas. The staff is usually welcoming, especially if they understand what the role of the doula entails.

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Could I benefit from using a doula for a homebirth?

Sure, you may still need emotional support and helpful guidance during your labor. The doula is there for you without worry about any clinical management. Her attention is not divided in any way.

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How do doctors and midwives feel about the doula?

Most doctors and midwives love to have the additional support for you. It makes their job easier. Occasionally, a medical person might have different opinions about doulas because moms might wish to create a birth that is different than their standard. Your doula is there for you and is working to communicate your needs to help you achieve your ideal birth.

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I am very private, how does a doula not impede that need for privacy?

Part of a doula's job is to create a space for you to have privacy so that you can have your ideal birth. Discuss your needs with your doula and she will respect your boundaries. She is there to support you in any way you need to be supported.

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Will the doula come to my home in labor?

It depends on a lot of things-where you live. where you are in your labor and any medical concerns you may have, but we like to come to you where you need us when you need us. Situations like if you are not on the opposite side of town from the hospital (waiting for your doula and then both of you backtracking to the hospital could take a significant amount of time). If that is the case, your doula can meet you somewhere in the middle. We've met moms at malls or parks and walked together while laboring! Read this article about this subject.

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Will the doula be checking me to determine how dilated I am?

Doulas don't do any clinical procedures. Some may have training in this, but it is outside of her scope of practice as a doula.

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What types of things does the doula do to help me in labor?

We can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggesting for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage and positioning and other techniques for comfort. We listen to you and anticipate your needs. We provide guidance as it is needed.

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I love massage. Will the doula massage me in labor?

Yes but the massage of labor is different from a regular massage or pregnancy massage. Sometimes it will consist of light stroking, sometimes pressure is used to relieve pain, sometimes reflexology is used to help move labor along. But all of the doulas in our group offer touch as part of our services.

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What is the cost of a doula?

Our fees are based on experience but range from $650 to $450, but this is subject to change. Remember you are paying for prenatal contact, her being on call for you for four weeks as well as being there for labor support during your labor, birth and just after the birth. To find out more about our fees, click here.

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Will insurance or my pretax plan pay for a doula?

Most insurance does not cover doula services, but that is changing. We provide you with a super bill to submit to your insurance carrier. And yes most pre tax plans do offer this as covered.

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Does the doula write a birth story or give me a time line of what happened in my labor?

Our doulas do this, but it is not guaranteed, for instance for fast or furious labors where they need to be by the mom's side constantly, this is not where she can take notes during the labor.

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How often will a doula meet with me once labor begins?

When you need her to do so, usually a phone call can help her ascertain if this is what you truly need and if you agree, she will come to meet you then.

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Does the doula have a back up in case something happens and she can't make the birth?

One of the benefits to having a Labor of Love doula is the back up doulas we have to provide in case that rare occurrence does come up. Although it is not always certain, you can choose the back up you desire and if she is available, she will be the one to fill in for your primary doula. This is very rare that this is needed.

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How do I meet the back up?

Since it is so rare that your primary doula is not able to come, we don't consider it necessary to actually meet the back up doula, but phone calls are welcomed and you can meet the back up at the Meet the Doula Tea that we have bimonthly.

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What if I have a long labor, is there an additional fee? What if I have a short labor, is there a reduction in fee?

You can't control the length of your labor- well actually being relaxed and prepared does offer a shorter labor for most moms, but we charge the same regardless of the length of your labor.

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What training is involved with becoming a doula?

You can be a doula without any training, but our doulas have had training through either or both CAPPA or DONA which are internationally recognized certifying organizations.

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How are doulas and midwives different?

Midwives offer clinical and medical support and sometimes emotional, a doula does not provide clinical or medical but instead provides emotional and educational support.

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If I have a midwife, will I benefit from a doula as well?

Absolutely- we work great as a team. The doula is continuous care and the midwife may have others in labor and will not be with you continuously. Also a labor doula offers a different support system than your midwife during your pregnancy.

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Do doulas deliver babies?

Not if we can help it! It is not something we plan to neither do we want to do- but if we are doing it in the line of a good Samaritan- as in an emergency we may assist you in you catching your baby. We have a few doulas that have been great Samaritans and have caught babies before in just such an emergency situation.

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I am too busy to take a childbirth and breastfeeding class, can I just skip classes and will my doula be able to teach me what I need to learn?

The two are different things, to be best prepared it would be good to do everything you can to prepare for your labor - reading informative books, taking an exercise or yoga class, going to childbirth and parenting classes, and hiring a doula- it is a complete package of preparation.

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Does a doula mean you have to have a natural birth?

This is your birth, not ours. We are there to help assist you in the birth of your choice. But if you are desiring a natural birth, a doula can certainly help you achieve this goal!

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Are doulas anti-medication?

We are all about doing what you need- helping you decide what is the next best thing to do in your labor- the thing you desire. Most every one of our doulas has had a natural, unmedicated birth. So, we support you in doing that as well!

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If I plan to get an epidural, could I benefit from using a doula?

You may still need support emotionally and physically - in helping with questions, help with the pushing part of birth, help just after the birth and perhaps with breastfeeding. Reading this article may help you understand our approach.

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How long will the doula stay with me after the birth?

Usually unitl you are settled- an hour or so after the birth, sometimes longer if you need her to depending on the particular situation following the birth.

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Will she help me with breastfeeding too?

Absolutely, we all have breastfed our babies and have had further training in helping you with getting started.

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If I need a cesarean will it be beneficial to have a doula?

Sure, sometimes after a long labor, having your doula accompany you for a surgical birth is available. We help by staying afterwards to assist with bonding and breastfeeding also.

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How about a planned cesarean?

Even for planned cesareans, we have provided guidance along the way, preparation to have a gentle birth albeit via cesarean, accompanied the couple (this is up to the hospital staff), met with you in recovery (this differs from hospital to hospital), and helped with breastfeeding and bonding after the birth.

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Does the doula work with specific hospitals, and not go to others?

We each have our favorites and may have a few we don't go to due to distance or other reasons. It is best to just share with the doula you feel most connected to about your birth location and determine if she will be able to assist you there.

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How will a doula advocate for me?

By helping you have a voice. Sometimes when we feel vulnerable, we forget what our goals were and we forget to share what we are feeling. A doula does not speak for you, but instead reminds you of your goals and tried to make sure you are able to communicate those to others. She is also there to make sure you understand the procedures and situations as they arise.

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What does a doula bring with her to a birth?

The most important things a doula brings to a birth are her hands and her heart. She brings a bag full of things to assist you in labor, but at many births a camera and a bottle of lotion are all that may be retrieved. She will help you know what you should pack and will let you know what you can plan for her to provide when you meet for your prenatal meetings. We usually always bring a camera, a birth ball, lotion and a few items we have found beneficial to other moms in labor.

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