What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

Both doulas and midwives offer different types of services that support the childbirth process. A midwife is a trained medical professional, who can perform procedures such as vital checks, whole pregnancy care, cervical checks and is trained to deliver a healthy baby. Doulas are trained birth professionals who focus on offering the mothers educational, emotional and physical support throughout pregnancy, labor and postpartum. Doulas are not a replacement for a medical care provider but are an essential part of your birth team.

What if my partner is nervous about a doula?

This is a very common question, and I am always happy to help explain that doulas are not there to replace partners during labor.  Doulas are an addition to your birth team, and there to aid both the mother and their partner in the journey.  Oftentimes, partners are genuinely eager to support the mother during labor but have no idea how to help.  Doulas can help educate during pregnancy about the best ways to help, and what labor may look like.  They are also there as physical support people during active labor, and work as a team with your partner to guide them in ways to support you.  A doula can be a levelheaded person during the intense emotions of labor to remind you both of your plan, wishes and ultimate goal during birth.

Do I really need a doula for my birth?

Would you feel more at ease with a travel agent planning your vacation versus doing it all yourself without knowing the area? Yes! Would your wedding planning be so much easier with an event planner helping you navigate communicating with vendors, decorating, and planning the big day with their professional event planning experience? Yes!  Would selling your house with a real estate agent helping you with all the ins and outs, laws, regulations, expenses, etc. be much smoother than trying to navigate that by yourself? Yes.

Would having someone who is a trained birth professional who studies physiological birth, knows the latest research, has endless handouts and resources to offer, enjoys talking about all things birth, is there to listen to your questions or concerns regarding any issues that may come up during pregnancy, and has a bag full of amazing tools ready to bring to your birth to setup your ideal environment in order for your body to be comfortable and do what it is supposed to do be so much better versus trying to navigate pregnancy without understanding fully what you are capable of???  Also, YES!

What if I can’t afford a doula?

If this is your first time giving birth, it is hard to imagine the effect this experience will have on the rest of your life.  Just the same as a wedding or other major life event, the memories of this day will stay with us forever.  Investing in a professional to help support you (and your partner), through an overwhelming, emotional, huge stage in your life such as pregnancy, is something you will not regret. 

I understand that if having a doula is not planned for ahead of time, it may be hard to cover the costs of this service.  I encourage you to reach out to your insurance company, as more and more are offering reimbursement for birth doula services now.  You also may be able to use HSA/FSA funds to pay for a birth doula.  Others find that adding an option to donate for doula services to their registry is a great way to help fund doula care.

Normally, 50% of payment is due at signing, and the remainder is due at 36 weeks gestation. In most cases, I am able to work with couples to create a payment plan arrangement to spread those payments out if necessary.  Please reach out if you truly cannot afford the full price, and I may be able to work with you or steer you to someone who can.  I truly believe that everyone deserves the support of a doula at their birth.

Still have questions? Schedule a free consultation to chat!