You don’t HAVE to, but it can be very helpful for a lot of reasons. A lot of people find that their partner is more involved in the process when they have a doula there to guide them on how to best provide support. It is difficult for partners and even family and friends to know how to help us during this time. They can take the classes and read the books, but it is hard for them to retain all that information. When we are in labor, we also don’t seem to listen to our partners suggestions as readily as a doula, who we are not as emotionally attached to.

No. As a doula, my scope of practice only involves emotional and physical support. There will be no medical care given.

This is a great question, and can vary per doula and per client. Some common doula “tools” would be: a birth ball or peanut ball, heating pad, diffuser and essential oils, a comb (aka birth comb), healthy snacks, a bluetooth speaker for relaxing music, battery operated candles, handheld fan, manual massage rollers, cooling towels, a TENs unit, and so many more! Talk to your doula about what they have in their birth bag or what you might like to try!

This is a great question. It can vary based on how you’re giving birth and how your medical provider(s) feel about the presence of a doula. My goal is to be the best support for you that you need me to be. I will never interfere with the job that your medical providers need to do, however, I do have your best interest in mind. I will be there with you to help you advocate for your wants and needs.

There are many tools available during labor, and the epidural is just one of them. Your doula supports all birthing options and makes sure you have all the information you need to decide what feels right to you at the time. Before an epidural is given, there are sensations that require focus to work through. As your doula, I will help to keep you comfortable with providing comfort measures such as breathing, positions, massage, and other tools until an epidural is available to you. An epidural reduces some sensations in labor, but not always all. As your doula, I will aid in your comfort and help to keep you as calm as possible throughout your birth process.

Some people believe that you only hire a doula if you are having a vaginal birth. The reality is that babies are born in many different ways and there is no right or wrong way to go through this process. In the event of a scheduled cesarean, I can help you plan for the birth by knowing your options and what to do if you go into spontaneous labor before your scheduled date. Your doula is there the day of baby’s arrival to make sure things run smoothly and help with bonding and baby’s first feed. When you get home from the hospital, you may also have a postpartum doula who can be there to help with your recovery as well as learning about taking care of your baby.

Every birth process is unique, and therefore having the experience of a doula to guide you allows you to go through this journey with more ease. As an experienced parent, we are able to discuss your previous experience(s) to find out the things that you liked about your experience and what you would like to change this time. You may also choose to have a postpartum doula to help introduce your older children to their new sibling.

Family and friends are an amazing support after you have had a baby. The challenge is that many of them do not have the same experience or unbiased support that a doula can provide. Your doula is your guide to find your way through this journey. Friends and family tend to share many of their opinions and may feel that the way they did things are the right way. Many parents feel that the support that they received from their doulas allowed them to better communicate their needs to their family and found them a lot more helpful as a result.