FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES A DOULA DO?

A Doula is a support person to offer continual presence through out your labour and birth. Before your due date, we will meet a few times so we can get to know each other. I will learn how to best support you, such as by providing supportive referrals to ensure you have the best birth possible (for example, a chiropractor, acupuncture provider, pelvic physical therapist or prenatal massage therapist), and go through a few basic childbirth education touchpoints. I can offer a series of non-medical pain-management techniques, and comfort measures including massage, positive positioning, rebozo support, music and mantras. I help you find your rhythm if you are struggling. A doula serves the important role of helping advocate for you in your most vulnerable times in labor and in the immediate postpartum period. I will help ensure your voice is heard and your preferences are honored by your medical team.

HOW WILL HIRING YOU AFFECT MY PARTNER’S ROLE DURING THE BIRTH?

Your birth partner knows you. They know when you are stressed or worried. They know when you are struggling or about to cry. They know what motivates you. They know how to encourage you. They know how to make you feel better and where you like to be touched. As your doula, my goal is to get your birth partner in front of you as much as possible. I will help support your birth partner to support you. I will fill in the gaps, take over when rest is needed, and be the educational sounding board of support. I will never interfere with you or your partners connection.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MIDWIFE AND A DOULA?

A midwife takes the place of your doctor. They follow your pregnancy and prenatal care, schedule your ultrasounds, request blood work, and then deliver the baby in a hospital, at home, or in a birthing centre. Normally, these must be obtained within the first 10 weeks of your pregnancy, but you may be lucky and be accepted later! Midwifes also follow your recovery and the baby's growth up until 6 weeks postpartum. Doulas do nothing medical. We are your support. We support you through your pregnancy with education, check-ins, answer any questions you may have, or direct you to the right place to get the answers you seek. We are with you during the bulk of your labour. We come to your home as you labour before you leave for the hospital. We are with you during your labour to massage, comfort measures, a warm hand, bring snacks, encourage, offer hip squeezes and alternative pain tools like tense machines, cool cloths, music and aid in other distractions. We are here to advocate with when you need reassurance about your birth plan and options, to assist you in making informed decisions, and to support your partner so that he can support you during labour and early postpartum. We help with the first latch. We usually take photos and videos at your request, and we come to you usually between days 3-5 to do a run through and mental check in on your postpartum.

WHEN DO I CALL YOU?

Call me as soon as you are in labour, even if you don't need me yet so I have a chance to prepare to be as efficent with my time to get to you. Call for support when you feel like you need support. This is typically when they are 5-10 minutes apart, lasting 30 second to a minute long and its beginning to get difficult to distract yourself or talk through them. This looks different for everyone! Expect me to be with you for 24 hours once you begin active labour.

WHAT ARE YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH MEDICAL STAFF LIKE?

As a doula I do not give medical advice, I offer education and help you get all the information you need to make informed choices. A sample scenario would be when a doctor or midwife says something like "Client, we need to break your water to speed things up" I would be able to remind you to ask questions - "Client, do you have questions about this? Would you like the doctor to go over the risks vs benefit? Do you want a little bit of time to think about it if you and baby are not in immediate danger?"

DO YOU PERFORM ANY PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS?

We are not trained in any type of physical examinations. We are part of your support team, not your medical team.