Doulas have always existed in birth. Today, a doula serves as a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and spiritual support before, during, and after childbirth. Both historically and statistically, birthing humans and babies have preferred physical and psychological outcomes at doula attended births.

A doula provides nonclinical prenatal, labor and birth, and postpartum care. Your doula is available to answer any questions throughout the duration of your pregnancy, educate and inform you on all your birthing options, and to help organize your birth plan. Your doula may also guide you through breathing techniques, position changes, and comfort measures to use during labor. Your doula will be fully present for the entirety of the birth, helping you navigate the challenges of labor while tending to the needs of both you and your partner. Postpartum, your doula can help support recovery, establish bonding between you and your baby, and assist with lactation/breastfeeding. Read more on these topics under BIRTH SERVICES.

Evidence based studies have concluded that births with professional labor support statistically experience fewer complications and require less medical intervention. Including, but not limited to:

• less likely to need pitocin to regulate contractions/stimulate labor

• reduces requests for pain medications and epidurals

• significant decrease in cesarean rate

• spontaneous vaginal delivery without vacuum/forceps assist

• positively rated childbirth experiences

Not at all! Medicated births receive the same amount of care as my unmedicated births. The majority of my clients desire unmedicated births and achieve unmedicated births, especially after extensive childbirth education. However, I book clients that know from the beginning they want an epidural, and that is more than okay!

This is a genuine concern for many families. I encourage all my birth attendees to participate throughout labor and delivery as much as they desire. The connection you share with your partner encourages the body to make oxytocin, the hormone we need to help produce strong, productive contractions. As your doula, we want to help facilitate that connection as much as possible throughout labor not only to help your labor progress, but because this experience is transformative for them as well.

A big part of our prenatal visits is discussing roles and expectations of family and partners both in labor and postpartum. In my experience, partners are relieved to have the extra support and guidance. Having a solid team in place where your provider, partner, and doula work together should be a priority for each of us at your birth.

I believe every single birthing person deserves a doula regardless of their ability to pay. Doula fees typically reflect the experience, education, and location of your doula. Many doulas will offer free or discounted services while obtaining their certification and gaining experience. I encourage clients to book their doula early and ask about paying in installments! Read more on this topic under INVESTMENT.

Certification can be helpful to determine the foundation of a doula you’re interested in working with. Most certifying bodies require childbirth education and workshops, lactation/breastfeeding classes, personal and professional references, and qualifying, observed births. Certification can also be required of doulas providing services at some hospitals, which can be an added barrier. I am certified through DONA International, the first and largest doula training and certification organization.

Comfort measures are catered specifically to your needs during labor. Together, we find what feels good for you and adapt as labor progresses. Some of my favorite techniques include use of the shower/tub, position changes, massage, counter pressure, hot/cold compresses, and the birthing ball. Dim lighting, essential oils/aromatherapy, music, and birth affirmations are frequent comfort measures I may also implement into your birthing space.

No doula should ever make a decision for you! Part of our job is to bring you unbiased, evidence based information to help you make your own informed choice. In a rare situation where the client is unable to advocate for themselves, the doula would refer the provider/staff to the clients predetermined birth plan as reference.

Birth is intimate. Inviting someone into your birth space is a deeply personal decision that should only be considered for someone you feel a strong connection with. All doulas come with some degree of pregnancy and childbirth education and experience. However, we typically have varying support styles and additional trainings to expand our individual skill set. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and meet with multiple doulas until you find the right fit for you and your family.