FAQs

A doula is a trained companion who is not a healthcare professional and who supports another individual (the doula's client) through a significant health- related experience, such as childbirth, miscarriage, induced abortion, stillbirth, or non-reproductive experiences such as dying. A doula may also provide support to the client's partner, family, and friends.

There are so many reasons to have a doula! For some it’s the consistency in support they receive. For others it’s the knowing that someone is helping them advocate for their needs in an unfamiliar environment. Our job is to support you in your desires, to inform you of your choices, to provide information so you can feel confident in your decisions, to help your experience go as smoothly as possible, to offer wisdom and guidance, and compassionate care. Not only do we have the education and training to support you, but also the skills and experience, and dedicated hearts to lovingly walk with you along the way. Of course, we love what we do! Check out what some of our clients have said about working with us HERE.

A Midwife provides medical care as a primary provider. Both provide care for families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, but a Midwife will oversee clinical tasks whereas a Doula will oversee physical, informational, and emotional care.

Although we have a team of doulas within our practice, we don’t operate on an "on-call” basis like your typical clinic setting. You will be matched with a primary and secondary doula. Your primary doula is the person you’ll be working with most often. Your secondary doula will be ready and available if/when needed. Your primary doula will be your main support and the person you will communicate with directly. If for some reason your primary doula has a scheduling conflict or an unexpected circumstance, she will let you know immediately and will inform your secondary doula who will then be your support person during that time.

That’s okay! There are still plenty of ways for doulas to support labor and birth even with medication on board, especially in terms of positioning and communication with medical staff. In fact, many times there is more to navigate during labor when an epidural is present. We support you in your decisions and help you determine the best path for you, your desires, and your situation.

We support you! And your partner! Whether your cesarean delivery is planned, unexpected, or occurs during the course of your labor, we’re there for you! We help you to plan for whatever your birth may bring. You have choices in your birth experience that we can help you navigate. Your partner will want to feel prepared and ready as well. They’ll want to know how best to support you just as if you were having a non-surgical birth. We also help you to plan for your recovery time as this can look different than a vaginal delivery.

You can expect continuous guidance and suggestions, hands on support, advocacy of your desires, encouragement, a calm presence, and so much more. We walk alongside you and your partner so you can make the most of this special time and be at your best for your baby.

A doula is a member of the perinatal team and does not replace anyone. In fact, doulas typically aid in fostering a collective approach to care so that both mom and partner feel well supported and that they both have the care they need to be at their best.

In so many ways! We want to make sure your partner is at their best for you. That means supporting their needs so they have the energy and wherewithal to do their job too. That might mean making sure they’re getting enough to eat and drink, and taking breaks when needed. We want to make sure they feel confident in supporting you so we model techniques and offer suggestions for them to try throughout the process.

It’s up to you! We offer personalized education at all stages of pregnancy and postpartum, and will make sure to include whatever is most important to you. Some families like more information than others. Some want a detailed outline of educational support and others prefer to gather information on their own. Just know whatever you decide, we’re here for you! We will always fill in any gaps in learning you may require and make suggestions for educational opportunities we feel would fit well into your learning style.

personalized guidance

loving support

engaging questions

emotional responsiveness

non-judgmental approach

evidence-based research

confidence

resource preparation

health and wellness direction

practical education

informative choices

All of our doulas have a combination of professional training and personal experience that gives them the unique skill set to provide exceptional care as a doula. We are each committed to continuing education to further our knowledge and continue to maintain any certifications we hold. For individual qualifications, please see our doula bio pages.

We tailor our visits to your immediate needs and short or long-term goals. We always ask what is most important to you at that time so we can best support your changing needs. Regardless, here are some things you can always expect from your doula:

tender care for mother

understanding support

comforting conversation

pertinent education

practical solutions

non-judgmental suggestions

parenting options

partner guidance

family dynamic support

empowering direction

newborn care

opportunity for self care

breastfeeding/feeding assistance

Whether a new or seasoned mother, this is a time when we can help you manage daily tasks, assist in the transition to your new role, discuss normal newborn behavior, help navigate a new family dynamic with siblings, or even help work through new elements within the partner relationship. You might find a need for support in breastfeeding or other feeding, physical and emotional care, baby wearing techniques, light housekeeping, childcare (while you rest, shower, etc.), or grocery shopping. We will also be paying attention to your mental well-being and encouraging practices that will support healing. We can help with any of these, as well as provide resources and guidance for a positive journey as a mother with a newborn. Based on your specific needs, care may include any of the following:

light housekeeping

family centered planning

space organization

completion of day-to-day tasks

snacks and meal preparation

laundry assistance

clean dishes

newborn care

mother pampering

shared wisdom

empowering education

sleep/rest for mom

sibling and pet attention

comforting care

newborn patterns observation

compassionate guidance

practiced methods

practical suggestions

Our goal when providing overnight support is to help you (and your partner) maximize your sleep while prioritizing a healthy sleeping and feeding pattern for baby. If we are supporting you over a period of time, we will want to address any goals you have in mind as well. If the opportunity presents, we will also tackle any lingering tasks that will help set you up for the next day.

lactation support

feeding assistance

quiet household tasks

snacks and meal preparation

soothing newborn

restful sleep for mom/parents

newborn patterns observation

stocking items for next day

compassionate guidance

gentle comfort

practiced methods

practical suggestions

alert support

shared wisdom

Yes!

That’s wonderful! We love to work with families who have folks to support them. Where we can help is in making sure you have the best kind of support for your family. We’ll help tap into the talents and skills of those around you and offer guidance for a postpartum plan that works for you.

A Certified Lactation Counselor identifies a professional in lactation counseling who has demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to provide clinical breastfeeding counseling and management support to families who are thinking about breastfeeding or who have questions or problems during the course of breastfeeding and/or lactation.

CLC certification means that a person has received training and competency verification in breastfeeding and human lactation support, including assessing the latching and feeding process, providing corrective interventions, counseling mothers, understanding and applying knowledge of milk production including in special circumstances and other commonly encountered situations.

personalized guidance

loving support

wholistic approach

non-judgmental care

professional knowledge

referrals when necessary

practical solutions

helpful tips

encouragement

realistic outlook

confidence building

patience and calming presence

Our sibling doulas are your child/ren’s support person. Much like the support we provide for the person in labor, we lovingly care for your child/ren when the time comes to welcome the newest little one into the family. Whether you want your child/ren to be present during labor or birth, or whether you would like someone to be with them while you go to the place you plan to deliver, we’re here for you! We’ll come up with a plan together to best support your family. Enter into labor easily knowing that your child/ren is well taken care of. What’s more, just like when we’re on call for someone in labor, we’re on call for your family! Call us at any time of day or night to be with your child/ren so you can to what you need to do to have your baby.

As many professions have done in the last few years, we have had to adapt to our changing environment. One of the many positive outcomes of this shift has been an opportunity to support more families from afar. We used to only think of doula care as something that needed to be done in person, but really, one of our greatest strengths is to meet people where they’re at and be there for them at a moment’s notice. Think of virtual support as a lifeline of sorts. We’re your call when something comes up in the middle of the night, during a provider visit, or simply someone who is there to check in on you routinely. Information, education, emotional support, and encouragement in your back pocket!

This is someone who has trained in ancient postpartum traditions and who has a profound understanding of the physiologic and psychologic requirements of the postpartum period, of which an extended resting period, warmth, specific foods, and bodywork are of the utmost importance.

Yes! We are able to take insurance for families working with our Speech Language Pathologist on complex feeding issues.

Our Lactation Counselors are all Certified in their field so they are eligible for medical billing, but not yet credentialed. Until we have our credentialing in place for those providers, we will give you a “superbill” for services that you may submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Most FSA’s and HSA’s will also reimburse for our services. Again, we’ll provide you with the proper documentation.

Doulas are covered by some insurance companies now! We can provide you with the designated CPT codes so you can talk to your insurance provider and discuss coverage. If you have coverage, we will provide a “superbill” that you can submit for reimbursement.

Our rates reflect the training, experience, field familiarity, and intuitive nature of our doulas. Various care choices are available to meet the individual and financial needs of each client. A retaining fee of 35% of the total care choice cost must be paid once a contract has been signed. Subsequent payments can be made anytime, but must be completed before the contract end date. Payment plans and multiple payment options are accepted. Custom care packages are available by request.

We understand that there’s a lot that goes into having a baby and growing your family. Finances are certainly a constant consideration. We would never want anyone who would like the support of a doula or lactation counselor to not have access to care. We offer payment plans, gift certificates, and have partnered with a registry called Be Her Village so you can get the care you need. It’s okay to reach out to friends and family for support. Let them know that having this kind of support is more important than “stuff” for baby. We have many clients who also reach out to their church family or groups/organizations they belong to. People want to help! Let us know how we can help.