Frequently Asked Questions

What is a doula?

A doula is someone who provides physical and emotional support during labor and birth but does not perform any clinical tasks. Visit the What is a Doula blog post here.

What is a Midwife?

Midwife means “with woman”. A midwife is a trained health professional who helps healthy women during pregnancy, labor, birth, and in the postpartum period. A homebirth midwife provides all of this care in the home. She assesses the health of mother and baby throughout the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

What happens If I have to transfer to the hospital?

As your midwife, if you were to transfer to the hospital, I would accompany you, but my role would be more as a doula at that point.

Do you come to my home when I’m in labor?

This would be entirely up to you. Most women prefer their doula to meet them at their home and stay with them throughout their entire labor. Most providers will tell you if you are planning an unmedicated birth, you should labor at home until in active labor. However, other women prefer their doula meet them at the hospital or birth center.

What about my partner? Won’t the doula take their place?

No. The doula is there to support you and your partner. A good doula knows not to interrupt the vital interaction between a woman and her partner and instead will help to guide the partner in ways to support the laboring mom. A doula can also provide relief for the partner to take a break to rest or eat.

Can we meet in person?

Yes, I will be happy to have a free consultation with you and your partner. I have even done telephone or skype interviews if that is more convenient for you. Please feel free to contact me.

What if I can’t afford the cost?

Relatives, such as grandparents are often glad to pay for this much-needed service. Groups, such as coworkers, or friends will sometimes get together to offer this wonderful gift. If you are having trouble finding a way to pay for a doula, ask me about a referral to a low-cost doula or contact me to talk about payment plans or discounts or even bartering for goods or services. I want every woman who wants a doula to have access to one.