Frequently Asked Questions

A doula is a person trained to provide advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and for some time after childbirth.

Your doulas will be available via phone or email from the beginning of labor for any questions you or your partner may have.  Once you feel that you need more support and the comfort measures, we have discussed, your primary doula will join you at your home or chosen birthplace. This will vary from woman to woman.  Some women may not need their doula until intense active labor, while others may need the emotional support earlier in labor.

According to Evidence Based Birth, researchers found that overall, people who have continuous support during childbirth experience a: - 25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect was seen with a doula (39% decrease)* - 8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; the largest effect was seen with a doula (15% increase)* - 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief - Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average - 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score - 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; mothers’ risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend)

Yes! We will attend hospital, birth center and home births as long as they are accompanied by a licensed midwife or a physician.

The presence of a doula can be beneficial no matter what type of birth you are planning. The role of doula is to help support you for whatever type of birth experience you have. If you choose a medicated labor, a planned cesarean, or end up having an emergency cesarean, a doula is able to bring emotional support, educational support, and additional comfort measures. Oftentimes care providers are unable to stay with a family or a situation could arise where the partner must stay with the baby leaving a mother alone and feeling unprepared or uncertain of a situation; this is when a doula would be ideal to comfort and support the mother.

There is one significant difference between a midwife and a doula. Midwives provide medical care for you during pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postpartum period. Doulas provide you and your family with emotional, informational, and physical support during pregnancy, birth and the immediate postpartum period.