FAQ:

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Who Should Hire a Doula/Virtual Doula?

Anyone who feels they could benefit from the addition of an extra calm, informed and supportive presence during labor and birth should consider working with a doula. Research and evidence have shown, across numerous studies, that continuous support during labor (specifically with a doula) helped increase the rate of spontaneous vaginal delivery, decrease the incidence of C-birth, decrease need for pain medication, increase the birthing person’s overall birth satisfaction, and shorten labor, among other things. (Check out https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/ to read more on this!)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual doula support is a great solution for people who don’t otherwise feel comfortable/safe accessing more traditional in-person support. Virtual (or distance) doulas provide support over phone, or video chat, and are also a way for folks who live in areas not serviced by doulas to access the kind of compassionate, informed support a doula can offer from wherever they are. Additionally, there are some pregnant people who know they’ll benefit from the care/guidance/planning help/resources a doula can offer, but would prefer not to have an additional person in the birthing space with them.

I Have a Supportive Partner/Family Member/Friend; How Might Hiring a Doula Also be Beneficial?

Whether this is your first birth, or your sixth, many partners/family members/friends find that the extra, regular/continual support a doula can offer allows them to better be able to be present with/support you through birth, and can often provide needed reassurance and guidance during a process that might feel unfamiliar, and unpredictable. A doula by no means undermines, replaces, or gets in the way of the essential support a partner, friend or family member can offer.

In a virtual context, it’s great when doulas can commune with partners/family members/friends planning to attend the birth to share comfort measures/tips/tricks, as they might be the one(s) actually implementing them during labor.

Can you Offer Me Medical Advice/Perform Exams?

Nope! Doulas provide strictly non-medical support. If you ever have questions/concerns of a medical nature, your care provider is the person to ask. I’m always happy, however, to help you talk through whatever’s going on, and strategize about the best person to contact therein. I’m lucky to be connected to a network of brilliant birthworkers who have so many great ideas and resources to share, if there are any stones left unturned.

I’m Not Sure Yet if This is Right for Me/What a Doula Really Does/if You’re the Right Fit:

That’s totally fine, and makes a lot of sense! It’s hard to really know if you connect with someone by simply looking at their website. Please contact me to set up a free, no-obligation 30 minute Meet-&-Greet (over Zoom/preferred video platform). This will give you the chance to ask me questions you might have, and for us to see how we jive. If you have a partner/someone who will be physically supporting you during birth, I highly recommend bringing them along, too!