A birth doula supports a family specifically during their baby’s birth. Typically a birth doula will meet a laboring person at the birth center, hospital or home and will stay until they are able to get the baby latching (if breastfeeding), the parents fed and rested a bit and then will leave to go home and rest themselves. A postpartum doula steps in after this, for the fourth trimester. A lot of doulas are trained in both but most doulas do not fill both roles for one client unless there is time to rest in between.
Birth Doula Questions
Do the doulas come to our home when we start labor?
Typically the doulas will meet you at the hospital or birth center or your home in the event of a planned home birth. Our time to come to you is when you are in active labor… 4-1-1 for first time parents and 5-1-1 for those who have already had other children. This is the same timeframe your provider will want you to head to them.
What is covered in a prenatal appointment?
The prenatal appointment with your doulas is a meet and greet. The doulas will take the time to write out your birth plan and wish list, while simultaneously offering you pointers from their experience and feeling out what works best for you and your partner.
What kind of communication will I have with my doula before my birth?
Once you sign your contract, your doula is accessible to you to help navigate any questions that may arise.
Can my doula help me make decisions about what steps to take when options are offered in regards to things like induction, tests, etc?
Whilst we as doulas have a large knowledge base of the birthing process, we are not medically trained. We certainly can walk through different scenarios with you, but it is outside of our scope to make those decisions with you.
Do our doulas bring food for us and other items for our labor and delivery?
Clients are responsible for packing their own bags with food and other items like essential oils and diffuser (if allowed), tennis balls, music, etc. That being said, your doula team can help you pack the perfect bag!
Will the same doula/s who attended my birth be available to be my postpartum doula as well?
While we try our best to make this happen it doesn’t always work that way. The best thing to do if you are interested in both roles with one doula is to get in touch with us as soon as you can! Our doulas book up months in advance, births are easier to “fit in” but if our doulas are already lined up with other families for postpartum care it’s pretty tough to maneuver them late in the game.
Why do I need a doula during birth if I have my partner?
Doulas don’t just take care of the laboring person. We know how to read the room and are able to also support the partner. We are trained with coping mechanisms for pain and have a bunch of “tools in the toolbox” when it comes to supporting you. We will not take the place of your partner but instead bring some added peace, comfort and help for you as well as your medical team.
Postpartum Doula Questions
What is the difference between a birth doula and a postpartum baby doula?
A birth doula supports a family specifically during their baby’s birth. Typically a birth doula will meet a laboring person at the birth center, hospital or home and will stay until they are able to get the baby latching (if breastfeeding), the parents fed and rested a bit and then will leave to go home and rest themselves. A postpartum doula steps in after this, for the fourth trimester. A lot of doulas are trained in both but most doulas do not fill both roles for one client unless there is time to rest in between.
What is the difference between a postpartum baby doula and a night nurse?
The biggest difference between a postpartum doula and night nurse is a doula offers holistic care to the entire family during the postpartum transition. As doulas, we make sure everyone is adjusting well, physically, mentally and emotionally (this includes pets!). it’s important to note too that night nurses are not actually nurses. Both doulas and night nurses are not clinically trained; we are more companions and supporters.
Do your doulas follow any parenting philosophies?
Parents and non-parents alike have many thoughts and philosophies regarding childrearing! Doulas hold space. We are not there to convince you otherwise, but to help. While your parenting style may differ from ours, we make sure to provide a non-judgmental way for you to flex your parental skills and rights and grow the way you feel is best for your family. If asked specifically how to help, we are always able to offer ideas and share what’s worked for us or our clients. We have a vast network and a wealth of knowledge and experiences!
I am about to have my 3rd baby so I am already very familiar with general infant care (changing diapers, bath time, bottle feeding/breastfeeding). What other ways can I benefit from a postpartum baby doula?
We love our return clients or our multips (not first babies)! One word always comes to mind on ways to help: sleep! Postpartum doulas are always a boon to this transition. Some ways we can step in: taking care of the baby so you can spend time with your older children, making sure you shower/soak, heal and sleep. (Did we mention sleep?) You have the knowledge down pat, now it’s time to solely benefit from just having a second set of hands to support and love on you and your family.
At what point in my pregnancy should I reach out to plan my schedule with a postpartum doula?
Our experience is we book up FAST. If you have any inclination that this is the route you want to take, definitely get us on the books! Doulas are becoming more and more popular; our opinion is everyone should have one. On the other hand we always love to help and serve and will do our best to get you the support you need, even at the last minute.