What is a birth doula?
A doula has several jobs, which may differ from birth to birth. Most basically, a doula is a trained labor assistant. They are there to help in any way that the birthing parent needs.
A doula can:
• Provide physical and emotional support to a laboring person. A doula is someone that the laboring person can open up to emotionally without feeling judged. They also have a great deal of knowledge about how to help ease, or work through the physical discomforts of labor.
• Support the birth partner by being an experienced, trained member of the team who can give suggestions or provide insight. The doula also removes some of the responsibility that the partner may feel when left alone in a hospital room to labor. They are able to help the partner to participate at their own comfort level. It is always nice to have another person to lean on who has been there before.
• Be a liaison between the parents and the care provider. A doula is trained to know about most interventions and complications, so that if something arises, they are able to explain things to the parents in a clear and compassionate way. A doula is also there to help uphold the wishes of the birthing person if they differ from those of the care provider. If something that the birthing person doesn't want is a medical necessity, the doula helps them to be confident in the choices that they may need to make.
• Help with the birth wishes. Doulas are available to help parent(s) write down their birth wishes if they wish to. Your doula will meet with you before the birth to help you figure out and write down exactly what you want your birth to be like. They will not judge you if your opinions differ from their own. Your doula is also there to make sure that the plan is carried out as much as possible during and after the labor process.
A doula can:
• Provide physical and emotional support to a laboring person. A doula is someone that the laboring person can open up to emotionally without feeling judged. They also have a great deal of knowledge about how to help ease, or work through the physical discomforts of labor.
• Support the birth partner by being an experienced, trained member of the team who can give suggestions or provide insight. The doula also removes some of the responsibility that the partner may feel when left alone in a hospital room to labor. They are able to help the partner to participate at their own comfort level. It is always nice to have another person to lean on who has been there before.
• Be a liaison between the parents and the care provider. A doula is trained to know about most interventions and complications, so that if something arises, they are able to explain things to the parents in a clear and compassionate way. A doula is also there to help uphold the wishes of the birthing person if they differ from those of the care provider. If something that the birthing person doesn't want is a medical necessity, the doula helps them to be confident in the choices that they may need to make.
• Help with the birth wishes. Doulas are available to help parent(s) write down their birth wishes if they wish to. Your doula will meet with you before the birth to help you figure out and write down exactly what you want your birth to be like. They will not judge you if your opinions differ from their own. Your doula is also there to make sure that the plan is carried out as much as possible during and after the labor process.
"Amanda was very helpful during my long labor. we arrived at hospital at 3:15am and she was with us till 7 that evening (a couple hours after I delivered). Not only was she supportive during my labor she gave many helpful tips to make the labor move along more quickly. Amanda also was there to answer questions during pregnancy and after birth via emails and 2 home visits. I am very grateful to her as I believe she played an essential role during my pregnancy/labor experience."
-W.M. Doula Client
Why hire a doula?
Many pregnant people feel confident in their care provider and partner, which is very important, however, they may not see the need to hire an extra person to come and provide support. Having that extra person there can be a huge help. A doula can provide a different type of support than a partner, family member, or friend. Your doula has their own unique set of tools that they bring to your birth stemming from training and experience. Having a doula with you also ensures that you will not be left alone to navigate the process of laboring, and can help to ease a lot of anxiety in the birthing person and their partner.
There have been a number of studies done on the benefits of having someone who is trained to support the parents during labor. The conclusions of these studies have show that the support of a doula may:
• Lead to a shorter, less painful labor
• Reduce the need for Pitocin by about 40%
• Reduce the number of requests for epidurals/pain medication by about 60%
• Reduce the uses of forceps or vacuum extraction by about 40%
• Reduce the likelihood of a Cesarean by about 50%
• Increase the positive feelings toward the birth experience and the baby
• Help the parent(s) feel more secure, cared for, and self-confident
• Reduce the instances of postpartum depression
There have been a number of studies done on the benefits of having someone who is trained to support the parents during labor. The conclusions of these studies have show that the support of a doula may:
• Lead to a shorter, less painful labor
• Reduce the need for Pitocin by about 40%
• Reduce the number of requests for epidurals/pain medication by about 60%
• Reduce the uses of forceps or vacuum extraction by about 40%
• Reduce the likelihood of a Cesarean by about 50%
• Increase the positive feelings toward the birth experience and the baby
• Help the parent(s) feel more secure, cared for, and self-confident
• Reduce the instances of postpartum depression
"Amanda was especially helpful with pain-reducing techniques. When the pain was almost too much, she made this birth possible."
-L.P. Doula Client
Doulas and birth partners
Doulas don’t take over the job of a spouse or loved one, but become support for them as well. Doulas are experienced with pain management and relaxation techniques specific to childbirth and are able to assist the partner by suggesting ways that they can help more effectively, or be there to spell them during a long labor if the need arises. Sometimes a laboring person wants more than one thing at a time and an extra pair of hands comes in handy.
"My husband and I are first time parents. We met and got to know Amanda when we hired her as our prenatal massage therapist, which was amazing each time, and done regularly. She is very knowledgable regarding every aspect of the pregnancy and delivery. She had an educated answer for everything. She was always available and dependable.
When it came time to choosing a doula, the decision was simple, and there was no better choice. When I went into labor, Amanda rushed over in the middle of the night and was with us well after delivery....almost 30 hours. She was an incredible help with my husband and I in managing my pain and prepared us for the road towards a natural delivery. "
-N.H. Doula Client
Doulas and care providers
A doula is different from your doctor or midwife in that they are there for physical and emotional support rather than medical support. Your care provider or nurse will administer all medications, do all vaginal exams, and all fetal monitoring. That being said, care providers do not do many of the things that a doula does.
A doula is with you throughout your entire labor. In a hospital setting, the nursing staff is often very busy and usually only come in to do monitoring or exams. If they are busy, they often don’t have the time to help much with physical or emotional support. This can be daunting, especially for first-time parents when they find themselves left alone in a labor and delivery room. Your doula should always be respectful of the medical support of the doctor, midwife, or nurse, which can help to foster a positive environment during labor and delivery. Most doctors and midwives have worked with doulas before, and usually appreciate the extra support.
A doula is with you throughout your entire labor. In a hospital setting, the nursing staff is often very busy and usually only come in to do monitoring or exams. If they are busy, they often don’t have the time to help much with physical or emotional support. This can be daunting, especially for first-time parents when they find themselves left alone in a labor and delivery room. Your doula should always be respectful of the medical support of the doctor, midwife, or nurse, which can help to foster a positive environment during labor and delivery. Most doctors and midwives have worked with doulas before, and usually appreciate the extra support.
"Nice, quiet, non-intrusive presence with helpful suggestions." "Calm and supportive" |
"Always wonderful to work with!" "Amanda was terrific!" |
Birth doula service packages
I offer a few different packages of services. Your initial consultation is free, and you are free to interview as many doulas as you need before making your decision. You are looking for someone with whom you feel confident in sharing a very intimate experience in your life and while I may be the perfect person for one family, I might not be for another. I want you to feel completely confident in me. Trust is one of the most important parts of the birth team dynamic. While I hope that we work well together, my feelings will not be hurt if you decide to go with someone else. I am always happy to provide referrals if you wish.
Basic Doula Service Package
Every family that I work with have the following services available:
Birth Doula/Massage Package 1
Birth Doula/Massage Package 2
Birth Doula/Massage Package 3
I believe that everyone deserves to have a doula, and if you are unable to afford my fees, we can discuss sliding scale, payment plan, or barter. I ask that you not abuse the sliding scale, and only ask about it if you are truly unable to afford my fees. Sliding scale is only available for the basic birth doula package, and does not include the massage packages.
Basic Doula Service Package
Every family that I work with have the following services available:
- 1-2 prenatal visits at your home where we will discuss any wishes, fears, concerns, etc. that you or your partner may have about your pregnancy or the birth. We will also discuss how you usually manage pain, discomfort and stress, and we can talk about various comfort measures and labor positions so that I can get a feel of what you will need from me before your labor.
- Phone and email support where you are free to discuss or voice any feelings you have about your pregnancy, labor, or new role as a parent.
- Continuous labor support
- Initial breastfeeding support
- 1-2 postpartum visits to check in on you and your new family to make sure you are transitioning well and provide any referrals you may need/desire
- Access to my lending library with books and DVDs about pregnancy, birth, breast-feeding, etc.
- 20% off prenatal and postpartum massages throughout your pregnancy and up to 6 months postpartum
- I will be on call 24/7 starting 2 weeks before your due date, and you will have access to 2 separate phone lines so that you should never have trouble reaching me.
Birth Doula/Massage Package 1
- All of the services included in the basic birth doula service package
- Six 60-minute massages
- 20% off any other massages you wish to book either during pregnancy or up to 6 months postpartum
Birth Doula/Massage Package 2
- All of the services included in the basic birth doula service package
- Six 75-minute massages
- 20% off any other massages you wish to book either during pregnancy or up to 6 months postpartum
Birth Doula/Massage Package 3
- All of the services included in the basic birth doula service package
- Six 90-minute massages
- 20% off any other massages you wish to book either during pregnancy or up to 6 months postpartum
I believe that everyone deserves to have a doula, and if you are unable to afford my fees, we can discuss sliding scale, payment plan, or barter. I ask that you not abuse the sliding scale, and only ask about it if you are truly unable to afford my fees. Sliding scale is only available for the basic birth doula package, and does not include the massage packages.
A la carte doula services
Interested in chatting with a birth professional, but don't want to commit to full doula services? Now, you can schedule a meeting lasting either 30 minutes or 1 hour to discuss your birth, labor, or postpartum experience. Possible topics include but are not limited to:
- Preparing your body for labor
- Putting together birth wishes
- Helping your partner to feel more secure about supporting you during labor
- Learning some easy massage techniques to alleviate some of the stress your body is going through
- Common breastfeeding concerns
- Dealing with colic
- Screening for postpartum mood disorders
- Talking about your birth experience
Please see the prices page for a full menu of services and rates.
Interested in receiving virtual birth support? Try a FREE consultation for our virtual doula services.
