Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a doula and what do they do?
A doula is trained and usually certified to offer valuable information, and emotional and physical support to a woman and her partner before, during and after birth.
A doula's job is to educate and advocate for the mama and partner throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, and in the postpartum stage. A doula can look somewhat like a birthing coach and is familiar with the physiology of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the emotional needs of a laboring mama. She is there to assist the mother and her partner, in carrying out their wishes for their birth experience. A doula stays with the mother throughout the entire labor, providing physical and emotional support, as well as support for the partner in ways to engage or take over when a break is needed. A doula also assists the mama to be and partner in getting all the information needed in order to make a well informed decision, as well as also facilitating communication with care providers. The birth experience will be remembered for life and it is my job to provide positive tools to create beautiful memories.
2. What does a doula NOT do?
I do NOT make decisions for you. I assist you through the decision making process and provide balanced information to come to a well informed choice on your own or with your partner. A doula also does NOT deliver your baby or administer medication. Often times, many get confused with a doula's role and a midwife. A doula is NOT a midwife. A midwife is very much like a doctor; a healthcare provider who can deliver your baby whether at home, at a birthing center, or the hospital. A doula cannot deliver babies.
3. What are some of the benefits of having a doula present at your birth?
For the average expectant mama, having a doula provides a level of familiarity, experience and advocacy, especially with any challenges that can take place with a hospital birth. Although a hospital staff's intention is to provide wonderful care for you and your baby, hospitals are also big corporations. A doula understands that and can act as a liaison. We are there to answer any questions that may arise and advocate for you and your baby at all times and to uphold your birth wishes. My job is to assist mother and partner to feel less anxious and offer advice in a personal, non-clinical way, as well as facilitate communication between birth team and staff. This allows mama-to-be and partner to focus completely on the birth and comfort of the mother.
If you are having a birthing center birth or a home birth, a doula's value and importance remains the same, providing reassurance and affirmation for both partners. I will support you physically with touch/massage, finding the most comfortable laboring position, and being your personal cheerleader and advocate. Studies have shown that having a doula at your birth can result in less pain medication and less labor time. And who doesn't want that! ;)
4. It's clear that a doula has great value in the labor process, but would they be considered a resource at any other stage in pregnancy?
Doulas are definitely a prenatal resource as well as postpartum support. Clients hire me as early as the end of the first trimester, but on average, I begin to engage with the parents to be in the 2nd trimester, and sometimes at the beginning of the 3rd. In these prenatal stages we can discuss many topics, such as: pregnancy discomfort or ailments, nutrition, exercise, stages of labor, and birth plans/wishes. I am also on call for questions or concerns about the numerous developments that occur throughout a pregnancy, especially after birth in the first few days or weeks at home.
5. At what point in labor do you generally meet up with the laboring mother?
I generally meet up with the laboring mother when contractions are strong and consistent. I stay until baby arrives and a few hours after to help establish breastfeeding and make sure mama and baby are doing beautifully.
6. What coping techniques do you use?
I offer a variety of techniques, such as: labor position suggestions, soothing touch, massage and aromatherapy using essential oils that compliment labor and birth; assistance with breathing and emotional reassurance and encouragement. Every mother is different and every birth is different, so what one mama might like, another may not. It is my job to communicate and observe each mother to assure every labor and birth is a meaningful and special experience.
7. If I hire a doula, am I required to have a natural birth?
Absolutely not! Many women think that. I am more than happy to support all mothers regardless of their choice to have a medicated birth or not. My job is to provide all of the information and guidance regardless of this choice.
A doula is trained and usually certified to offer valuable information, and emotional and physical support to a woman and her partner before, during and after birth.
A doula's job is to educate and advocate for the mama and partner throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, and in the postpartum stage. A doula can look somewhat like a birthing coach and is familiar with the physiology of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the emotional needs of a laboring mama. She is there to assist the mother and her partner, in carrying out their wishes for their birth experience. A doula stays with the mother throughout the entire labor, providing physical and emotional support, as well as support for the partner in ways to engage or take over when a break is needed. A doula also assists the mama to be and partner in getting all the information needed in order to make a well informed decision, as well as also facilitating communication with care providers. The birth experience will be remembered for life and it is my job to provide positive tools to create beautiful memories.
2. What does a doula NOT do?
I do NOT make decisions for you. I assist you through the decision making process and provide balanced information to come to a well informed choice on your own or with your partner. A doula also does NOT deliver your baby or administer medication. Often times, many get confused with a doula's role and a midwife. A doula is NOT a midwife. A midwife is very much like a doctor; a healthcare provider who can deliver your baby whether at home, at a birthing center, or the hospital. A doula cannot deliver babies.
3. What are some of the benefits of having a doula present at your birth?
For the average expectant mama, having a doula provides a level of familiarity, experience and advocacy, especially with any challenges that can take place with a hospital birth. Although a hospital staff's intention is to provide wonderful care for you and your baby, hospitals are also big corporations. A doula understands that and can act as a liaison. We are there to answer any questions that may arise and advocate for you and your baby at all times and to uphold your birth wishes. My job is to assist mother and partner to feel less anxious and offer advice in a personal, non-clinical way, as well as facilitate communication between birth team and staff. This allows mama-to-be and partner to focus completely on the birth and comfort of the mother.
If you are having a birthing center birth or a home birth, a doula's value and importance remains the same, providing reassurance and affirmation for both partners. I will support you physically with touch/massage, finding the most comfortable laboring position, and being your personal cheerleader and advocate. Studies have shown that having a doula at your birth can result in less pain medication and less labor time. And who doesn't want that! ;)
4. It's clear that a doula has great value in the labor process, but would they be considered a resource at any other stage in pregnancy?
Doulas are definitely a prenatal resource as well as postpartum support. Clients hire me as early as the end of the first trimester, but on average, I begin to engage with the parents to be in the 2nd trimester, and sometimes at the beginning of the 3rd. In these prenatal stages we can discuss many topics, such as: pregnancy discomfort or ailments, nutrition, exercise, stages of labor, and birth plans/wishes. I am also on call for questions or concerns about the numerous developments that occur throughout a pregnancy, especially after birth in the first few days or weeks at home.
5. At what point in labor do you generally meet up with the laboring mother?
I generally meet up with the laboring mother when contractions are strong and consistent. I stay until baby arrives and a few hours after to help establish breastfeeding and make sure mama and baby are doing beautifully.
6. What coping techniques do you use?
I offer a variety of techniques, such as: labor position suggestions, soothing touch, massage and aromatherapy using essential oils that compliment labor and birth; assistance with breathing and emotional reassurance and encouragement. Every mother is different and every birth is different, so what one mama might like, another may not. It is my job to communicate and observe each mother to assure every labor and birth is a meaningful and special experience.
7. If I hire a doula, am I required to have a natural birth?
Absolutely not! Many women think that. I am more than happy to support all mothers regardless of their choice to have a medicated birth or not. My job is to provide all of the information and guidance regardless of this choice.
©2016 Love Life Doula
Website by Happy Biz Life
Website by Happy Biz Life