FAQ
What You Need to Know
What's the difference between a doula and a midwife?
Your midwife (or your OB) is responsible for medical monitoring and management of your labor and birth. They are the ones that you will see routinely for checkups (blood pressure, labs, and checking on baby). At the birth, your midwife (or OB) is the one who will keep an eye on your health and baby's health and offer additional interventions if they are needed.
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A doula, on the other hand, is there to help educate and empower you along the way and support you through your birth experience. We provide evidence-based educational information, empower mental, emotional and physical preparation for labor and birth, help you create a birth plan and work on your birth mindset.
In the birth space, I like to call the doulas the "grease" of the birth experience. We assure that your transition into your birth space goes as smoothly as possible. We facilitate high quality communication between you and your midwife, doctors, and nurses. And we help you to physically and emotionally navigate the process of birth.
Doulas do not monitor baby's heart rate, your vital signs, do cervical exams, or make medical suggestions or decisions for you. (See recommended providers here)
How will hiring you affect my partner’s role during the birth?
Your birth, your way. If your partner wants to be your main support person, then my role is to be there to empower them with the skills and ideas they need in order to support you in the best way possible. I can be as involved as you would like me to be. I can offer relief to a tired partner and help them to meet their own self-care needs as well so they can continue to support you from a state of health.
What are your interactions with medical staff like?
I create a collaborative relationship with the medical staff we work with. I know many of the midwives in the area personally. When it comes to interacting with doctors and nurses, I maintain that I am there for non-medical support measures of the mother and support and work toward creating a seemly birth care support team ensuring that mom and baby are cared for physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
How do I pay you? And do you offer discounts?
I can take any form of payment: major credit cards or debit cards through PayPal or my Square reader, cash or check.
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Yes, I have a sliding scale available on a per-need financial basis. I also offer payment plans regardless of financial need. I am also registered with a National Provider Identification Number so that you can request your insurance company to cover my services. (over 20 insurance companies have covered doula services!) Contact me to learn more!