Your Birth, Your Terms, My Support
With my doula services, you’ll get the support you need for the joyous birth journey you deserve.
Your search for a “qualified doula near me,” ends here.
Simply start by booking a coffee chat via my call calendar below!
FAQs
Many expectant mothers have questions when researching doulas. If I don’t answer yours below, feel free to book a coffee chat!
What is a doula?
I have an amazing partner; what is their role if I hire you?
My partner/ husband is not on board with having a doula. How can I get him on board?
What is the difference between a midwife vs. doula? Are they the same?
When is the best time to contact and hire a doula?
What can I expect from a doula?
How are you different from another doula?
What births do you support?
What happens if I change my mind when it comes to my birth plan?
What support do you offer after my baby is born?
How do I find the right doula near me?
What is one piece of advice you give all your clients?
A doula is one member of the birth team. While everyone on your birth team is working for you, your birthing doula has the more intimate job of providing you with emotional, physical, mental, and sometimes spiritual support. A doula wants to assist in your birth planning and support you in whatever unfolds during labor and delivery, even when the plan changes.
What is a doula?
Having a birthing doula will only add to your experience. We will start by birth planning as a team of three. I am here to help your partner support you through the different stages of labor and delivery and not miss out. I am not a replacement; rather, I only want to enhance this bond and hold the space needed. Sometimes partners get nervous or need breaks, and I am there to support them too!
I have an amazing partner; what is their role if I hire you?
Though you may be searching feverishly for a "doula near me", your partner may not share the same level of enthusiasm. Most of the time, husbands are not supportive of the extra expense or don’t understand why you need a doula if you have them. You will remember your birth in great detail for the rest of your life. You may not remember my name, but you will remember the space I held for you and the attention to detail and support you felt. On the contrary, if your husband gets sick or nervous and needs to step away, you might remember feeling alone. With multiple people playing the supportive role, everyone is sure to have a better experience. A good conversation about how you want to feel might do the trick in helping him get on board. Include him in the interviewing process! You can also share with him the beneficial data on having a doula. Not only do we provide support, but we also help ensure the best outcomes possible and are prepared even when things don’t go according to plan. Expectant mothers with birthing doulas actually had more than 50% lower odds of delivering via a c-section and closer to 60% lower odds of developing postpartum depression or anxiety.
My partner/ husband is not on board with having a doula. How can I get him on board?
A midwife is the medical provider, and the doula is the support person, like a doctor and a nurse. The roles are very different, but each is supported by the other. *I think we should add here why someone should choose to hire a doula, even if they aren’t having a midwife!
What is the difference between a midwife vs. doula? Are they the same?
Most parents start to gather their birth team between 8-12 weeks. The earlier, the better! Each doula can only accommodate a certain number of clients each month. It’s not too early to start researching a "doula near me" even if you are just trying to get pregnant. If you are further along in your pregnancy, don’t get discouraged, some doulas will squeeze you in if you only want birth support and are ok with their back up doula team.
When is the best time to contact and hire a doula?
You can expect someone to show up, hold space, protect your birth experience, and support you! I personally bring some extra goodies like tea, soup, treats, and/or a postpartum care kit.
What can I expect from a doula?
Beyond a doula certification, I have a hospital background as a surgical tech. Though I am no longer working as a surgical technologist, my clients find it comforting to know I am very confident in hospital and home settings. Emergencies do not scare me. My job is to keep you calm! I also am very connected to you and our space. I can sense the energy in the room and can help shift it by using prayer, essential oils, tapping, and affirmations. Don’t worry; I promise this isn’t loud or weird, and you won’t even notice it.
How are you different from another doula?
I support medicated or natural birth at a hospital, birth center, or home. I support you in every decision you make for your family during your delivery experience. However, I do not attend free births or unassisted home births.
What births do you support?
I am flexible, and you can be too! No one loves a plan more than I do, but I am always happy to go with the flow as your labor and delivery unfolds. We can do all the birth planning in the world, but emergencies can happen, and plans can sometimes change. Planning for the unexpected will help us all pivot if needed.
What happens if I change my mind when it comes to my birth plan?
In regards to a postpartum care plan, I will stay up to two hours after baby is born. I’ll help you breastfeed and get settled before I leave. I do offer postpartum support that can start in the hospital if needed. This includes one or two visits to your home within the first week after baby is born and 1-2 follow-up texting/phone conversations.
What support do you offer after my baby is born?
You deserve to find your person! Each doula is unique and comes with their own personality and philosophy. You should interview at least 2-3 birthing doulas or maybe more if you have the time. Make a list of questions to ask a doula about their approach to your ideal birth. After the first consultation, you will have a feeling if she was the right one. Trust your gut!
How do I find the right doula near me?
My biggest piece of advice is to know what you want from your birth. What are your must haves and biggest do nots when it comes to your birth experience? With experience comes wisdom right..? Don't fret though; if this is your first birth, you will just need to do a bit of research or hire a doula to help you through this. Hospital do things very systematically. Just because they have a routine does not mean you have to abide and go along with it. The biggest decision you will need to make before you ever step foot in the hospital/birthing center is if you want your baby to be vaccinated and have a circumcision. In my personal experience, true informed consent does not happen. So do your research now!