Frequently Asked Questions
What is a doula anyway?
Doulas are not new, although the term might be. The word "doula" is derived from a Greek word that means "servant". So a doula has been defined as a woman experienced in birth (although not necessarily have given birth herself) who is professionally trained to support women and their families during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and early postpartum. Doulas employ comfort measures such as massage, breathing, relaxation, position changes, and visualization.
Doulas do not provide medical health care. Your doula will not second-guess or argue with your care provider, diagnose your condition, or prescribe any medical procedure.
A doula's number one goal is to focus on you, to provide you with the utmost in comfort and care during your labor and delivery. Ultimately, the doula's role is to help you achieve a safe and satisfying birth, as defined by you.
Recent research studies suggest that hiring a doula may decrease:
Length of labor by 25%
Narcotics use by 30%
Forceps use by 30%
Pitocin use by 40%
Cesarean section by 50%
Epidural requests by 60%
Questions to ask your doula:
When you are looking for a doula, there are some questions that you might want answered. DONA.org suggests that when you interview your doula, you should ask them the following questions:
1. What training and education do you have?
I attended a DONA doula training in 1997 with Jennifer Nunn. I completed the certification requirements in late 1998, and in January 1999 learned that I was officially a DONA-certified doula. I joined CAPPA in 2001, and completed the doula certification program by the end of the same year. In March 2005, I attended a CAPPA Childbirth Educator training taught by Donna Johnson. I completed the certification requirements and earned my childbirth educator credentials by early summer.
2. What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
My philosophy about childbirth is pretty simple: Women were created to bear children, and in most cases can do so without any medical assistance. But I also believe that medical intervention has its place and has saved many mothers and babies from harm. I believe that EVERY woman can benefit from having a doula at their birth, no matter what kind of delivery they envision. Even if you have a scheduled cesarean, you can benefit from being "mothered" by a doula.
3. When do you try to join women in labor - at our home or at the place of birth?
I am completely comfortable providing support in any setting. If you desire to labor at home for a while before going to the hospital, I am glad to come and support you in your home. If you want me to meet you at the hospital, I will do just that. This is a flexible point to me, it is completely up to you. If you are having a home birth, I just come straight to your home for the duration, at your discretion.
4. Will you meet with us to discuss our birth plans and the role that you will play in supporting us through childbirth?
I provide prenatal visits to discuss your birth plan, and to help you feel comfortable with me as your doula prior to your birth. Two prenatal visits are included in my fee. But I can coordinate my errand-running trips with meetings to avoid any gas surcharge for extra visits.
5. May we call you with questions or concerns before or after the birth?
Once you sign a service contract with Active Labor Doula Services, you have my phone number and are invited to call any time you have a question or concern: before or after delivery. If you MUST call at 3am, hopefully it will be for labor and delivery or for an emergency, otherwise I might be grumpy.
6. Do you work with one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet them?
I do have a backup doula, and she is available to meet with you prior to the birth.
7. What is your fee, what services does it include and what are your refund policies?
I prefer to discuss my fee in person, after we have met and your financial status is evaluated. I believe that everyone deserves a doula, and if finances are the only block, then the fee can be adjusted according to your income.
My fee includes two prenatal visits, 24-hour on-call for questions or for the birth, continuous support at your birth and early postpartum (usually two hours postpartum), and a postpartum visit to discuss your birth and for questions or feedback.
My refund policy is outlined on my contract, but if I am unable to attend your birth due to an issue on my end, you will be refunded the fee. If you fail to call me in time to attend the delivery (often I need at least an hour for travel time), there will not be a refund.
8. Will you provide references?
I can provide references from colleagues and previous clients for your review upon request.