Frequently Asked Questions
More About Doulas and Why You Might Want One
What is a doula?
A doula provides emotional and physical support for people during the preconception, pregnancy, labor & birth, and postpartum periods. A doula is not a medical provider which means that they are not able to give medical support in any way (prescribing medications, catching your baby, etc.), but they are familiar with the different things that can and will come up in pregnancy and labor. They can be advocates to you and your family however you are comfortable with them advocating for you. And are really a great support that is personalized just for you.
What does it mean to be a full-spectrum doula?
Someone who is a full-spectrum doula is trained to deal with every spectrum of pregnancy from preconception until the pregnancy finishes (however that happens).
What happens if I want a cesarean or an epidural during my birth? Can I still work with you or another doula?
Absolutely you can still work with me! I work with anyone who wants me no matter what type of birth they picture for themselves. Actually having a doula with an epidural can be really helpful with positioning while confined to a bed, and I have worked with many people who have used an epidural as pain management for their labor.
What happens if I want to give birth in a hospital? Can I still work with you or another doula?
Absolutely you can still work with me! I work with anyone who wants me no matter what type of birth they picture for themselves. I have done many hospital births and a few transfers. I spend time with you and your family beforehand to talk through all the different possibilities and outcomes as well as how to advocate for yourself. Many of my clients have to have hospital births and that is why we work together. Just because you are in the hospital doesn’t mean that your labor and birth can’t be filled with respect, empowerment, and more. I can actually help you and your family prepare for that and process afterward.
What do you do with preconception work?
It really depends on what you want and need. I can help with insurance calls to determine what they will cover, help with scheduling appointments (fertility clinics, endocrinologists, etc.), give recommendations for other providers or professionals that you might want or need, and help with processing the ups and downs of trying to conceive! Trying to conceive is difficult, with or without fertility treatments, and having someone who is unbiased and there for you can be helpful.
Payments and Refunds
How do you determine sliding scale and when I pay you?
I actually don’t pick or determine what you will pay. I specifically give parameters and ask you to decide the best fit for you. I am also open to bartering to reduce or eliminate any cost. This really is supposed to be a system that helps us work together. Pay outs are determined based on your needs. I usually split payments into 3 payments throughout our time together with the full payment paid at about 36 weeks. But I have also done a monthly system and am open to more. No matter the payment structure, I will usually require payment in full before or around the time that I go on call for you and your labor & birth.
When should I book and schedule with you? What happens if we don’t want to book with you after meeting?
Honestly, whenever you want! We can have a meeting as soon as you reach out. Whether you are pregnant or not, close to labor/birth or not, etc. The choice is yours on when you reach out. I am so excited to meet with you and definitely don’t always book or schedule working with every client that reaches out. No matter what you and your family decide, I love meeting with every person and family who reaches out to see if we will work well together! So reach out, and if we work well together, we can move forward. If not, I can help you with recommendations of other doulas to meet with or groups that might fit better for you and your family.