Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Natural Birth?
The term “natural birth” means different things to different people. For some, it means giving birth at home in a birth pool. For others, it means having no interventions of any kind. Another definition is that it is a birth with no pain medications, or specifically no epidural. It also can simply mean a vaginal birth rather than a C-section. Whatever the term natural birth means to you is deeply personal and if you are interested in having one, I encourage you to talk to your care provider and your doula about your definition and ask how they can help you achieve your goals and dreams.
I’m having an epidural or planning a C-section. Should I hire a doula?
A common misconception is that hiring a doula is only necessary for un-medicated, vaginal deliveries. This cannot be further from the truth. Sometimes interventions can create a lot of stress for the birthing person and having a doula can provide you with not only immeasurable comfort, but a wealth of information and resources to help navigate a time of uncertainty and transition. As a certified doula, I am specifically trained to offer unique support during epidurals and c-sections. No matter what kind of birth you are planning, I would love to be by your side helping you invite happiness and peace into your birth space. *Please note: Some doctors and/or anesthesiologists may not allow your doula to accompany you in the Operating Room, especially if your partner is with you. However, your doula can give your partner support suggestions, plus will be with you before surgery begins, as well afterwards for immediate postpartum support.
My Partner, My mom, etc… will be at my birth. Will you try to replace them?
Absolutely not! Your doula knows birth, but your partner or family knows YOU! Together we will make a great team! In fact, one of my most important tasks is to support your partner, too! I love working with whoever you invite to your birth and helping them to be as involved as everyone wants them to be! I am happy to show your partner how best to provide comfort measures or counter-pressure. Sometimes we will do these together (yeah, double hip squeezes!) or tag team if someone needs a rest. Having a doula means that your partner can take a nap, get a bite to eat, or go to the bathroom without leaving you alone. But even more than that, I want to help you and your partner (or mom or sister or best friend!) feel super connected with you during this momentous event!
What is a rebozo?
A rebozo is a long woven piece of cloth that is rich with culture and traditionally made on looms in Mexico. Though not only used in birth settings, they are a wonderful tool of the doula to help laboring women with comfort positions, hip squeezes, counter-pressure, belly-sifting, push-pull “tug-of-war” positions, relaxation, and so much more! As your doula, I am trained to use one and will bring mine with me to your birth so that you can enjoy its fabulous benefits if you so choose to.
WHAT IS A TENS UNIT AND HOW CAN IT HELP ME IN LABOR?
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It is a small handheld device that connects via lead wires to 4 stimulating pads that can be placed on your back to help provide safe, non-pharmaceutical pain relief during labor. Its electrical impulses stimulate the nerve fibers that are just under the skin and create a prickly/tingling sensation that can provide just enough distraction to interrupt the pain caused by contractions. It is suggested that TENS works due to the gate control theory of pain wherein non-painful input closes the nerve gateways to painful stimuli, keeping pain sensations from traveling to the central nervous system. Studies have shown that women were less likely to have an epidural when provided with a TENS unit, and reported that they would choose to use it again in the future. As your doula, I am trained and certified to equip you with a TENS unit for use during your labor, if you so choose. It is most effective if started in early labor and is especially useful for “back labor.” Not everyone, however, can tolerate the sensations produced by a TENS machine, nor will it work to reduce pain for all women or all labors, but it is a unique pain-control tool that I carry in my doula bag for any of my clients who wish to have it as an option to try.
Do you offer sibling doula or postpartum doula services, too?
I am strictly a labor and birth doula, but my backup doula offers additional postpartum services in some of my available packages. All of our options are outlined under the Doula Packages tab. If you purchase my “Just the Basics” package, I will come to your home for a follow-up postpartum visit, but if you purchase an upgraded package, you will receive a typical postpartum service, with an option to add extended postpartum services.
If you choose to have your other children present at your birth, I am happy to include them in the experience as much as possible, but I cannot be responsible for their care. If you need a sibling doula, I can give you my best recommendations!
Will you take photos at my birth, if I request it?
Yes, I have recently started offering birth photography to my list of services, as I have found that many people want both a doula and a photographer. If you choose for me to be your doula, you can also add my photography services as a discounted add-on service for a great price. I will always prioritize your emotional and physical comfort needs over grabbing a photo, but my goal is to provide you a wide variety of pictures of your labor, birth, and the “golden hour” after baby is born, if hired to do so, as time and space permits. If I see a good shot, I will do my best to preserve it for you! Obviously I cannot guarantee any particular photographs or certain number of images, since I am a doula first and foremost, but I am also committed to preserving your special moments. *If you would like to hire me only as your birth photographer, I am available for that, as well.
Do you require for me to take a childbirth education course during my pregnancy?
It depends on the doula package you choose! The more informed you are about pregnancy, labor, birth, and all of your options, the easier it is for us to communicate about all your wants and needs. You can never be too prepared! See the “Classes” tab for an online option, or look on my “Doula Packages” tab for our in-home options.
