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A doula provides emotional and physical support, resources, and preparation to an expecting family prenatally, during birth, and shortly after. The more common types of doulas are:  birth, postpartum, fertility, and bereavement.

Birth doulas meet with you during the perinatal period to offer support throughout your labor and birth. Additionally, they are there for you as you transition into your postpartum chapter. 

Some things that are included in doula work: prenatal visits, telephone/email support, on-call availability, continuity of care, assistance and support during labor and birth, assistance with optimal fetal positioning (which can be discussed prenatally and utilized during the birth process), aromatherapy, massage, breastfeeding support, resources and much more.

A doula is non-medical support who focuses on caring for you emotionally and physically and helps you feel informed and empowered. While they often have similar approaches, a midwife differs from a doula hugely. 

A midwife is a *medical* professional, meaning that the primary focus of their care is on the health and safety of you and your baby. Both doulas and midwives work with you prenatally, support you throughout the birth and follow up with you postpartum. At birth, doulas often do comfort measure techniques, providing a calm birth space as much as possible, providing guidance and reassurance (to you and your partner), and repeat affirmations that empower you. At birth, midwives may be found doing similar things to a doula. Still, their top priorities include: ensuring that you and your baby's vital signs are stable, assessing you and your baby, completing cervical exams when needed, administering medication if necessary, and catching the baby you are birthing.

Doulas and midwives are a perfect pair!

Doulas are NOT bodyguards or family mediators! 

Whether you want to give birth at home or by scheduled cesarean, birth doulas support ALL kinds of labor. Many people imagine doulas supporting home births or think doulas are only for "holistic" families. While that may be a stereotype for doulas, a large majority of doulas can be found in hospitals and birth centers. Some doulas have "specialties" or certain styles that they bring to the table, meaning they might be a better fit for your idea for your birth. Experience and additional training do come into play here. Doulas support any birth, from midwife-supported home births to birth center births, unmedicated hospital births, and scheduled cesarean deliveries.

The earlier, the better!  Typically, the beginning of your third trimester is a good time to have your doula secured by. I often recommend starting your search in your second trimester, talking to and interviewing a couple of doulas, and determining who is the best fit for you. You deserve someone you feel an easy connection with and who you think fits your personality and needs.

*If you consider yourself a planner or someone who experiences anxiety more often, hiring a doula earlier in your pregnancy might be more beneficial. This allows you to form that trusting relationship and feel unconditionally supported as you navigate the emotional and mental ups and downs.

I get a common question: "Will, my partner, feel left out?" Honestly, this is a very valid question. Many think that a doula takes the role of the partner when, in fact, our position supports them as well. I firmly believe that my role as your doula is to amplify support for your partner. I have worked with many different birthing partners, yet they all have one thing in common: Your partner knows you better than anyone else. They know your fears, preferences, and desires even if they aren't sure how to support you in labor/birth. I work with your partner by encouraging them, offering guidance and suggestions, reminding them to stay hydrated and take bathroom breaks, and more. If your partner has witnessed a birth before, they still deserve support and the comfort of knowing they are supported.

If the "happy hormone" was a person - consider it secured with your partner! 

Absolutely! As mentioned in an earlier question, doulas support all types of birth. While you may not request much physical support, there are emotional and informational ways your doula can help you.

A doula can benefit you and your partner if:

• You would like pain medication early on in your labor (or perhaps on the way to the hospital)
• You plan to use an IV narcotic or an epidural
• You have a cesarean birth, whether it is unplanned or scheduled

A doula can help you find a groove, stay informed, and ensure that you are cared for emotionally and mentally. Some pain medications take the edge off (like nitrous oxide), while others may be more effective in removing the sharpness (like an epidural). Sometimes there is still a need for other coping techniques, such as counterpressure, that we may need to utilize. Having a doula can reassure you that you have more tools at your fingertips. Perhaps you feel you are coping well with labor discomfort- extraordinary! A doula can ensure that you and your partner's emotions are supported and that you continue to receive any information you would like. The physical support piece does not entirely go away; you and your doula still have things like massage or positioning as options. 

At cesarean births, whether they are planned or not, doulas are helpful to help with cesarean birth preparedness, balancing emotions and thoughts, and keeping you informed of the options you still have in the operating room.

You deserve the best! Each doula is unique, and a few things come into play.

1. Trust your gut. Do the doula's personality and style fit you and your partner? Do you vibe well with the doula? If a doula rubs you the wrong way, uses specific verbiage or language you don't like, puts off a vibe that doesn't sit well with you, or even has the same name as a crazy ex whose name alone drives you crazy, they may not be the doula for you. Honestly, even the simplest thing you try to ignore can amplify over time or on your "birthday."
2. Determine what it is that you're looking for. Do you have specific preferences or wishes regarding pregnancy and birth? Are you planning on using a specific birthing method or other tools? Finding a doula who can unconditionally support you and may have experience with the things you plan for can make all the difference. Doulas often acquire additional training and certifications to provide you with a more well-balanced, well-rounded approach to doula support. What other knowledge would you want your doula to have (i.e., acupressure, aromatherapy, belly casting, childbirth/lactation education, massage, optimal fetal positioning, photography, placenta encapsulation, etc.)?
3. Interview more than one doula. As doulas, we know how important it is for a client-doula relationship to feel connected and trusting. That is why we believe that by researching and considering more than one doula, you will open doors to your choices. An internet search or searching National Black Doula Association and DoulaMatch may help.
4. When the connection feels right, go for it; after the logistics like availability and pricing, move forward if you feel ready to add this person to your birth team. 
5. Be mindful that the same applies to Doula's in their discernment if a client would also be a great fit!

Gem: If you connect well with more than one doula, consider hiring one as primary and asking the other doula to be the backup doula in the unlikely event that your primary doula cannot attend your birth. A certified, professional doula is taught to acquire a backup doula. Ask if your hired doula works with specific backup doulas or is open to suggestions/guidance from you.

Postpartum doulas work with you during those first moments at home, typically ranging from a couple weeks to  1- 2 months. Postpartum doulas provide unbiased, evidence-based information and create a safe space for you to feel comfortable and cared for. You will receive assistance with newborn care, light household tidying (pertaining to  newborn), lactation assistance,  assistance with meal preparation, newborn laundry, and healing and recovery! Postpartum doulas provide critical support during the often overlooked "fourth trimester."

A postpartum doula is NOT a maid service, baby sitter, or partner replacement.

The work, you and your postpartum doula, can do together looks different than someone else's work with them. Each family's needs are unique. Therefore, your experience and schedule with your postpartum doula will be unique and individualized to fit you and your needs. Depending on the doula and their availability, you may have them do a day or night shifts, ranging anywhere from 2 hours long to 8 hours long. Some doulas even will do longer if needed! You can choose to have your doula with you once or several days a week; again, it's entirely between you and your doula. For example, I have done three 5-hour day shifts a week with one family and two 4-hour evening shifts a week with another family. It all depends on your needs, your doula's availability and offerings, and when you need support.

This depends on you and how you are anticipating your postpartum needs will be met. Some families hire a postpartum doula while they are still pregnant. Maybe a previous experience has encouraged them to secure a postpartum doula early on. Other families start their postpartum journey on their own and then recognize that they would benefit from a doula or wanted to wait to see if they would require the support. The timing of when you hire a postpartum doula is completely up to you! Even if you do not hire one ahead of time, researching and knowing your options while pregnant can be helpful for when you end up searching for one after you give birth.

While I am an animal lover and have a “grand dog”, it is imperative that all pets be up-to-date on vaccinations and show proof of vaccinations submitted at the time of contract signing. I kindly ask that all pets be secured in an area until the scheduled session is over. Dee The Doula Maternal & Holistic Wellness Services, LLC, reserves the right to cancel sessions, or terminate services for aggressive animals, those with a history of nipping, excessive jumping, scratching, biting, excessive mounting behavior (dry humping), or pets whose vaccinations are not current. Additionally, it is imperative your pet has the proper grooming (i.e. bathing, clipped nails, dander and fece causing odor, bodily fluids, excessive hair shedding) to limit and prevent injuries, and the transporting of allergens to households and other families. This is for the safety of the doula and for the safety of the other families I care for who may have pet allergies.

While, Doula's do not accept traditional insurance, I do accept HSA/FSA benefits. Other forms of payment include, CashApp, Zelle, ApplePay, Sqaure, and AfterPay! Additionally, payment plans are available on a case-by-case basis.

*AfterPay up to $2,000. User agrees to AfterPay terms and agreements in addition to Dee The Doula Maternal & Holistic Wellness Services, LLC terms and agreements.