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What is a Doula?
Your Go-to Guide for Birth & Postpartum Doula Support
What a Doula Does:
A birth & postpartum doula offers professional support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
I believe a doula's job is to mother the mother - to be that continuous comforting support during an amazing life transformation.
As Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula through International Doula Institute, I offer expecting parents and partners non-judgmental support, guidance, evidence-based education and practical hands-on support during childbirth including comfort measures.
Whether you are expecting, are experiencing labor, or your baby recently arrived, you deserve continuous emotional, physical, and evidence-based informational support.
With a doula by your side, you’ll have peace of mind because you’ll have the guidance and support you need to have a safe, memorable, and empowering birth experience.
A birth & postpartum doula provides access to unbiased, non-judgmental, evidence-based information.
Even after tons of preparation and planning, your labor may not go exactly as planned...Or you may be unsure of the best steps to care for your baby. That’s because your pregnancy, birth and baby will be unique!
But I’m here to help ensure you don’t feel “stuck” or confused about your options. As your birth and postpartum doula, I’ll provide evidence-based information and resources about the different options and next steps available to you.
You’ll receive non-judgmental support, guidance, evidence-based education and practical hands-on support during childbirth including comfort measures. This will give you confidence and empower you to make informed decisions about your birth and baby.
A birth & postpartum doula offers flexible support when you need it most.
As your birth & postpartum doula, I’ll be available to offer emotional support...listening to your fears, answering your questions and addressing any concerns that might arise during the course of your pregnancy, delivery or postpartum.
I’ll also provide physical support and comfort with pain-relief techniques including breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, massage, and laboring positions.
I’ll be by your side every step of the way...including after your baby arrives! I’ll remain accessible in the weeks after your birth, and visit your family to offer guidance, education, or simply an extra set of hands to help out around the house.
What Does Birth Doula Support Look Like?
Birth Plan Checklist & Preferences
Wondering what a birth plan is, how it can help, or how to make one? You’re in the right place.
Creating your birthing plan gives you the opportunity to deep dive into how you envision the hours surrounding your baby’s arrival. It is personal and unique to you. And it tells your birth team precisely what is important to you during this time.
Read on about the benefits and next steps for putting together a list of birth preferences that fit your unique needs.
And if you want support putting your plan together, I’d love to help! Learn more about my Doula Birth Plan & Preparation Meeting Service.
Support for Your Home Birth, Birth Center, or Hospitals
Having a doula is a great addition to your birth team whether you’re planning to give birth at home, at a birth center, or a hospital.
For a home birth, having a doula present can provide extra comfort and support for you, your partner, and any siblings present.
And for a hospital or birth center birth, a birthing doula will help support a collaborative relationship with your providers. This will ensure that you’re heard, understand what’s happening in the birth process, and have the information you need to make informed decisions about what happens to your body and baby.
Medicated or Non-medicated Births
Wondering if you should get an epidural or not? Whatever you envision for your birth, having a doula on your team can educate and coach you through your birth vision in a number of different scenarios.
We can talk through the pros and cons together, to help you decide what’s right for you. And as your birth doula, I’ll provide emotional support and guidance if you choose to get an epidural at any point in your birth process.
Prenatal Classes
Our comprehensive prenatal classes cover everything from childbirth education to newborn care. Our expert instructors will help you feel confident and prepared for the journey ahead.
Birth Doula vs. Postpartum Doula:
As your birth doula, our time together will be focused on preparing for your birth and labor. And you’ll also receive 8 hours of postpartum support to help you with sleeping routines, chest/breastfeeding education, comfort measures and postpartum recovery, etc.
But for parents that want support throughout the entire 4th trimester, take a look at my postpartum support options to find the right fit for you. From customized care packages to hourly support,
I’d love to continue to support your family as you adjust to your “new normal.”
Doulas vs. Midwives vs. Obgyns:
Let’s first look at doulas versus midwives...These two people can BOTH be on your birth team and very often work hand in hand. But their education and roles differ.
Doulas provide you and your family with emotional, informational, and physical support during pregnancy, birth and the immediate postpartum period. But they do not offer medical care.
A good doula works alongside your midwife/OB-GYN to provide quality support and care throughout your pregnancy, birth and postpartum care. They do not replace your healthcare provider, but rather offer additional support. Think of a doula as a vitamin that supplements your primary care, helping maximize your benefits.
Should complications arise, your doula’s focus will remain on providing you with physical comfort, emotional support, and information. But you may need additional medical support.
Midwives provide medical care — much like a doctor — in addition to emotional and physical support for people with low risk pregnancies. But midwives may not stay with you continuously until you’re in active labor.
Should complications arise, your midwife will remain focused on maintaining you and your baby’s physical health, but they may need the medical assistance of an OB-GYN.
And an OB-GYN, is a medical doctor who is also surgically trained to manage higher-risk pregnancies and can perform Cesarean section if necessary.
What Does a Doula Cost?
On average, the cost of hiring a doula varies based on where you live, the number of visits you schedule and the services you’d like to receive.
Our first meeting is your time to interview me - to see if I am a good match. We can talk by phone call, virtual meeting or in-person. And this meeting is FREE.
At the meeting we’ll discuss your birth vision and how I can assist you. We can also discuss pricing. Reach out to me today for more information!
I do want to be supportive to families who truly value the support a doula can offer. I am willing to discuss costs to make my services more affordable for you.
How to Choose a Doula?
There are so many doulas out there, how do you choose the one that’s right for you?
It’s a good idea to start looking for a doula as soon as possible in your pregnancy (preferably by 20 weeks), because many experienced doulas fill up quickly with repeat clients and word-of-mouth referrals.
That said, it’s never too late to hire a doula — even right up to your due date!
Ask your family, friends, and provider for recommendations.
But only you know what’s right for you. Ask yourself:
“Do I want my doula to be professionally trained and certified?”
Search online for doulas that are certified and trained through a professional organization like International Doula Institute or DONA.
“Do I want my doula to have attended a certain number of births?”
Look for this information as you look at a doula’s website.
“Do I want my doula to support my spiritual beliefs or cultural customs and practices?”
Add this question to your doula interview list.
And remember to listen to your gut and pick the person you have chemistry with! A doula will be with you during the most intimate experience of your life, so it’s important to feel a strong emotional connection with them.
The more comfortable you feel with your doula, the more relaxed and calm you’ll feel during your birth.
OK! What's Next?
Need a Birth Doula?
Need a Postpartum Doula?
Need a Postpartum Doula?
Take a look at my in-person and virtual birth doula packages to find the right fit for you!
Need a Postpartum Doula?
Need a Postpartum Doula?
Need a Postpartum Doula?
Check out my customizable in-person postpartum doula packages to get the support you need.
Need a Childbirth Class?
Need a Postpartum Doula?
Need a Childbirth Class?
Learn everything you need to know to prepare for the birth of your little one.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Schedule your free consultation today!
Do you have more doula questions or simply want to chat about which services are the right fit for you?
Feel free to give me a call at 503-686-1981 or fill out a contact form and I’ll get in touch!
Copyright © 2018 Hānau Doula: Birth & Postpartum Doula Support - All Rights Reserved.
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