FAQ
What are the benefits of hiring a doula? There are many benefits of hiring a doula. The benefits that are most important to one family may be crucial to another. Many people are most impressed at the level of information available to them through their doula. Doulas are forever learning and researching about pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. Research has shown that using a doula can:- Decrease in the risk of cesarean birth
- Decrease in risk of newborn being admitted to special care
- Fewer negative feelings about the birth experience
- Higher likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth
- Shorter labors with fewer complications
- Decrease in pain medication requests in labor
What is the difference between a doula, Monitrice, and a midwife? Women have been helping each other with birth for centuries. The concept of this is not a new one. Because I serve in three different capacities, the question often comes up about what the difference in each is. The following is a listing of some of the main services provided by each:
Labor Doulas
I have a partner already. Why do I need a doula? Many women wonder why there is a need for a doula if a partner will be already present. Doulas and dads or other partners support women differently during pregnancy and birth. Doulas don't impose or take over the role of a dad no more than midwives, doctors, or nurses do. All of us make a team to best support the laboring couple. Doulas help dads by providing them with a wealth of knowledge so they can better support their partners. Doulas provide never-ending support to the couple as a whole. Ensuring that the birth environment remains as sacred of a place as the couple desires. Doulas are also good at providing guilt-free breaks for dads to be able to get some sleep during early labor or a human moment when the labor progresses in order to help them support their partner better. Plainly put, doulas provide emotional, unbiased support, and evidenced based prenatal education to the partner and the mother so birth can continue to proceed normally in the healthy mother and child. Read more about dads and doulas here.
I am not sure about having a natural birth. Should I still hire a doula? Doulas are not just for those having a natural birth. Doulas care for women during normal birth at home and in the hospital, c-sections, planned medicated birth and planned un-medicated birth alike. Your birth is your birth. Women benefit from having a doula present at their birth no matter the kind of birth they end up with.
When should I hire my doula? As soon as you find out you are pregnant is the best time to start researching your options available for your upcoming birth. Many doulas limit their calendars to a couple of births per month and book up pretty quickly. Begin by researching doulas available in your area and then begin interviewing those who interest you. It is important, like any relationship, to meet your doula and ensure that she is a good fit for you. Once you hire your doula your first prenatal appointment will probably be within the first two months of your relationship.
I'm in my third trimester, and I just found out what a doula is. Is it too late to hire one? Many doulas book up pretty quickly but, often times there are months when a doula is not booked, a client moves, or delivers earlier than expected. Don't hesitate to call if you are in full bloom. I am willing to take clients as late as the early stages of labor. Also, if I am not available to serve you, I have lots of resources and can usually refer you to another doula who may be available.
How much does it all cost? Doula services are available within one hour of Tupelo for $700 to interested families. Monitrice services are $975. I do accept payment plans, suitable barters, and insurance if it covers doula services. If you are seeking doula services, can't afford them, and are eligible for medicaid or WIC please contact me for information on how you can get a doula through the Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project
What if you don't make it to my birth? Doulas are people too and sometimes emergencies do come up. I have not missed a birth yet, but, if it looks like I may miss your birth I will enlist the help of a back up doula to support you instead. In most cases you will have the opportunity to meet the doula who will be willing to be available to you before you deliver. If you prefer, you can hire your own back-up doula.
- Decrease in risk of newborn being admitted to special care
- Fewer negative feelings about the birth experience
- Higher likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth
- Shorter labors with fewer complications
- Decrease in pain medication requests in labor
What is the difference between a doula, Monitrice, and a midwife? Women have been helping each other with birth for centuries. The concept of this is not a new one. Because I serve in three different capacities, the question often comes up about what the difference in each is. The following is a listing of some of the main services provided by each:
Labor Doulas
- provide education prenatally, 1-2 prenatal visits to discuss your birth and options
- provide support with birth planning, information about area resources, and use of a vast lending library of books and videos
- bring a thorough base of knowledge of many aspects of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum and the process of each
- Provide physical and emotional support during early labor through the first couple of hours after birth
- Do not check vital signs of you or your baby or do any assessments physically such as vaginal exams or listening to fetal heart tones
- Provide breastfeeding support through weaning (this may vary from doula to doula)
- does all of the things that a doula does prenatally but, normally sees a couple 3-4 times during pregnancy
- Will do some checking of vital signs of you and your baby including but, not limited to blood pressure, cervical checks, and listening to fetal heart tones without assessment.
- Does not serve in the role of a midwife (catch your baby)
- Is not a primary care provider (You will need a doctor or a midwife at your birth)
- Provides breastfeeding support through weaning (this may vary from monitrice to Monitrice)
- Serves as a primary care provider for your pregnancy and birth
- Generally does at least 8-10 prenatal visits to assess the wellness and/or needs of your baby as well as yourself
- May draw labs and run or order tests as deemed necessary
- Will check vital signs of you and your baby throughout your labor process including blood pressure, cervical checks, assessment of fetal heart tones and management of any complications that may arise during your labor or birth process.
- Provides as many postpartum visits that are needed for your care
- Provides breastfeeding support through weaning
I have a partner already. Why do I need a doula? Many women wonder why there is a need for a doula if a partner will be already present. Doulas and dads or other partners support women differently during pregnancy and birth. Doulas don't impose or take over the role of a dad no more than midwives, doctors, or nurses do. All of us make a team to best support the laboring couple. Doulas help dads by providing them with a wealth of knowledge so they can better support their partners. Doulas provide never-ending support to the couple as a whole. Ensuring that the birth environment remains as sacred of a place as the couple desires. Doulas are also good at providing guilt-free breaks for dads to be able to get some sleep during early labor or a human moment when the labor progresses in order to help them support their partner better. Plainly put, doulas provide emotional, unbiased support, and evidenced based prenatal education to the partner and the mother so birth can continue to proceed normally in the healthy mother and child. Read more about dads and doulas here.
I am not sure about having a natural birth. Should I still hire a doula? Doulas are not just for those having a natural birth. Doulas care for women during normal birth at home and in the hospital, c-sections, planned medicated birth and planned un-medicated birth alike. Your birth is your birth. Women benefit from having a doula present at their birth no matter the kind of birth they end up with.
When should I hire my doula? As soon as you find out you are pregnant is the best time to start researching your options available for your upcoming birth. Many doulas limit their calendars to a couple of births per month and book up pretty quickly. Begin by researching doulas available in your area and then begin interviewing those who interest you. It is important, like any relationship, to meet your doula and ensure that she is a good fit for you. Once you hire your doula your first prenatal appointment will probably be within the first two months of your relationship.
I'm in my third trimester, and I just found out what a doula is. Is it too late to hire one? Many doulas book up pretty quickly but, often times there are months when a doula is not booked, a client moves, or delivers earlier than expected. Don't hesitate to call if you are in full bloom. I am willing to take clients as late as the early stages of labor. Also, if I am not available to serve you, I have lots of resources and can usually refer you to another doula who may be available.
How much does it all cost? Doula services are available within one hour of Tupelo for $700 to interested families. Monitrice services are $975. I do accept payment plans, suitable barters, and insurance if it covers doula services. If you are seeking doula services, can't afford them, and are eligible for medicaid or WIC please contact me for information on how you can get a doula through the Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project
What if you don't make it to my birth? Doulas are people too and sometimes emergencies do come up. I have not missed a birth yet, but, if it looks like I may miss your birth I will enlist the help of a back up doula to support you instead. In most cases you will have the opportunity to meet the doula who will be willing to be available to you before you deliver. If you prefer, you can hire your own back-up doula.
If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it. - Dr. John Kennell