Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a midwife and doula?
As a doula I have been trained to provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
Unlike a midwife, I do NOT provide any medical services or preform clinical tasks, such as: blood pressure, fetal heart checks or vaginal exams. I also do NOT give any clinical or medical advice.
Unlike any other medical care provider, I am 100% focused on the mother in labor. I only work for my client and do not work in shifts or have other responsibilities during the labor and birth that would take me from the mother's side.
What about dads and other support people?
Whether it’s a spouse, romantic friend, a friend or another family member like the baby’s grandma, the birth partner’s experience matters in birth. I am there to support every birth partner in being as involved as they’d like to be with the birth.
As a doula I can help partners understand the range
of normal behaviors during birth, assist partners in the use of coping
techniques, and help partners share in the birth experience
at the level that feels most comfortable to them
Do I have to have a certain type of birth if I have a doula?
As a doula I am there to ensure that the mother's or couple's birth wishes are acknowledged and followed as much as possible. My goal is to make sure my clients have the best possible birth experience as defined by the mother.
As a doula I advocate for the mother's wishes as expressed in her birth plan, in prenatal
conversations, and intrapartum discussion, by encouraging the mother to ask questions of her care
provider and to express her preferences and concerns. I do NOT speak for the mother.