Frequently Asked Questions

Why hire a birth doula?

Formal studies on the benefits of labor support began in the 1970s when Drs. John Kenner and Marshall Klaus found that birthing people with a committed, trained support person during labor not only demonstrated greater bonding with their babies but also had a lower incidence of medical interventions during their births. This pattern has continued overwhelmingly in research on doulas since that initial study. The most comprehensive and largest study, published in 2011, found that in a sample of over 15,000 women, those with a fully trained doula (as opposed to only hospital staff and/or family members) had the best birth outcomes and the lowest incidence of medical interventions. The results of this study showed that doula-supported women were:

- 28% less likely to have a cesarean section

-31% less likely to use Pitocin to speed up labor

-60 % less likely to ask for an epidural during birth

-34% less likely to report their birth experience negatively

- Higher APGAR scores overall 

(Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Weston J. “Continuous Support For Women During Childbirth.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Feb 16 (2) CD003766. Referenced from “DONA International Position Paper: The Birth Doula’s Role in Maternity Care. )

Does a birth doula take away from my spouse? 

No. I like to think of a doula as sort of your own personal assistant for you and your spouse throughout labor. I offer support to your spouse as well and will help make them comfortable in the labor and delivery process. I will show and explain to your spouse what they can do to help you. I will offer reassurance and time to rest to the spouse if needed throughout the labor. I will most certainly back away when intimate moments occur between you and your spouse, even snap a photo of those moments if desired. If for any reason your spouse has left your side at any time, I will be there to fill the void until they can return. 

What are sliding scale fees? 

I hold the belief that every birthing person deserves support regardless of their ability to pay. Offering a sliding scale approach to my fees makes my services more accessible to folks who cannot afford to pay upwards of a thousand dollars for a doula. The foundation of the sliding scale approach is based on trust. I understand that in hiring me, you are trusting me to be apart of an incredibly intimate part of your life. Offering a sliding scale is one way I can express trust in my clients. I trust that they have thought about the value of my support and that they know their financial situation best, and can come to a decision that reflects both.

So where do you fit in on this sliding scale? Here are some examples but we will go further in depth at our consultation!

Tier A: $1,300-$1,850

Clients who pay birth fees in Tier A may have already budgeted to pay set fees for a doula. Price might not have been a large factor in the decision to hire a support person. They might have access to familial wealth even if they do not have a lot of cash readily available 

* $1,700 is the “full” service fee for birth support, any additional contribution goes towards pro-bono scholarship fund*

Tier B: $900-$1,300

Clients who pay birth fees in Tier B are often graduate students, teachers, or other helping professionals. They might have asked family and friends for money to help cover support services. They might have gone back and forth about whether they could really afford to hire a doula. This cost would represent some sacrifice but would not create financial hardship. 

Tier C: $500-$900

Clients who pay birth fees in Tier C or prices below the listed scale are folks who have been struggling financially. One or multiple partners might have been unemployed or underemployed, they may not have access to other people who will help pay for support. Higher levels on the scale would create financial hardship.

Do I need a doula for cesarean? 

Yes. Just as much as someone who plans a natural birth! Cesarean can be a scary time especially for someone who has never had surgery, planned or unplanned. There is still a need for coaching and support throughout cesarean for both mom and spouse. There is a strong need for reassurance, love, support and communication. After the baby is born it is likely the spouse may back away from mom and focus on baby, in this time I would be there to fill the void. In the time when mom is alone and doesn’t know what is happening to her body or to her baby, I can be there to talk to her, explain what is happening and keep her up to date on how baby is doing.

Do I need a doula if I have a midwife? 

Yes. Even though a midwife can be there to help with positioning and comfort measures, she is still the one who has to focus on the baby as well as mom. With a doula, I will be coaching and talking and focusing on you directly throughout the labor as well as the birthing process. I will be right there focusing on you while baby is being born and immediately after.

Why are birth outcomes better with a doula?

Multiple randomized control studies have found that the presence of a trained doula benefits everyone. The studies have consistently shown that doula care is associated with shorter labors, less use of epidurals and other pain medications, lower episiotomy rates, and as much as a 50% reduction in the C-section rate. Research has also shown better clinical outcomes for both the mother and the baby (including fewer admissions to neonatal special care units, better breastfeeding rates, and better family bonding). A doula also provides care for the mother’s partner and other family members, and greatly increases a mother’s overall satisfaction with her birthing experience.

Can a doula help even if I plan on getting an epidural?

Yes. A doula’s presence is helpful during early labor and during the epidural placement process. She then continues to care for the woman and her family, offering emotional and informational support. Throughout labor a doula is able to provide comfort measures such as; alternative positioning, massage, breathing techniques, aromatherapy, as well as many other measures. And when it’s time to deliver the baby, the doula’s assistance can be invaluable.

Why should I hire a postpartum doula?

This is a question I get asked almost daily, and understandably so. A lot of people have only ever heard of doulas supporting pregnancy and birth, so why would you need one in the postpartum period? The International Childbirth Education Association describes postpartum doula support as “mothering the mother”. Many people think of baby nurses or night nannies when they hear the word postpartum doula, but the roles are very different. Postpartum doulas care for and support the entire family, not just the baby. Postpartum doulas can do a variety of tasks including; light housework, laundry, grocery shopping, newborn care, assistance with feeding, meal preparation, baby wearing assistance & education, sibling support, newborn care education & practices, and anything else you might need to help ease the transition home. We are knowledgeable about newborn care practices as well as postpartum recovery for the birthing person.

Benefits to hiring a postpartum doula:

• Decreased anxiety

• Increased confidence in parenting

• Boosted self esteem

• Improved postpartum mental health

• Improved bonding for partners and siblings

• Better breastfeeding outcomes

• Increased movement postpartum

• Quicker physical recovery

• Improved relaxation