Q: I want my labor to be a private, intimate event. Will have a Doula take away from this?
A: A Doula is aware of the changes that take place in a woman's body during birth and the stages of labor she must go through. Creating a safe protective bubble around the birthing women is a big part of the Doula’s role. This experience can be invaluable, especially for first-time moms. A Doula provides an environment that allows a woman to go within, while receiving moral support.
Q: Will a Doula advise against an epidural even if I want one?
A: No, it is not a Doula's place to decide the path your experience will take. A Doula’s job is to provide you with resources, information, and moral support so you can make your own choices about your birth. Your Doula can act as an advocate on your behalf if you like, and encourage you to discuss all choices with your significant other, but again, it is not for her to make any medical decisions for you.
Q: I am planning an epidural for my birth. Why use a Doula?
A: Doulas first and foremost help to give you the information you need to make informed decisions for your care and your baby’s care. This doesn’t stop just because you decide on an Epidural during birth. There is no medication that is proven safe for your baby, including the Epidural, so support becomes even more important in these situations. Your Doula will do her best to help ensure that you understand the risks and benefits so you can make informed decisions. With an Epidural you are often subject to much more intervention from medical procedures, such as the use of Oxytocin (a drug used to bring on or increase the strength of uterine contractions), vacuum or forceps extractions, episiotomies, and sometimes a cesarean birth. Again, we will give you the information you need to make informed decisions and offer you alternatives, but it is up to you to decide what you feel is best. After the birth, your Doula will help you with breastfeeding, at home with recovery, and incorporating this new tiny being into your life.
Q: I really want a Doula at my birth, but my partner is still reluctant.
A: This is probably the most common reason that women are hesitant to hire a Doula. Partners often feel their role is to protect the mother and baby - and minimizing outsiders is one way to do that. Oftentimes, reluctant partners will feel more comfortable with the idea once they have met the Doula and had an opportunity to address their needs and concerns. The interview process is the ideal time to ask the hard questions. It should be said too that partners who were reluctant at first are often the biggest supporters of having a Doula after experiencing the benefits of her presence at the birth. Dads are Doula’s biggest referral source after the birth!
Q: I am planning to have a home birth. Does a Doula still have a role?
A: Yes. Doulas have a special role in home births. Midwives are not always at your home during the early stages. They often join you once you are considered “active” in the birthing process. Sometimes many hours have already passed and coping techniques, positioning and eating and sleeping advice could help the mom be in a more rested and ideal place to take on the active phase. At home births it is also important to have an extra pair of hands since things are sometimes needed from all areas of the home. After your home birth, a Doula often helps with clean-up too. A service beyond value when you have a newborn to care for!
Q: Are Doula's covered by Insurance?
A: Some insurance companies have been know to cover Doula costs but it is rare. You may want to check with your extended health plan to see if they will cover it.
Q: Do you have a backup incase you cannot make it to the birth?
A: Yes. It is important to note, however, that the backup Doula would only be called for an unforeseen circumstance. For example, if your Doula is in the rare situation where she is at another birth when your birth begins or she has fallen ill. I have never had to use a backup, as I schedule my clients based on due dates to ensure there’s no overlap. Births, however, can be unpredictable – but I do my best to avoid this.
