Frequently Asked Questsions

Whats the difference between a doula and a midwife?

The main difference is that a doula is not licensed to support any clinical tasks such as; vaginal exams, taking vital signs, or monitoring the baby's heart rate, providing medical advice, or diagnosing any conditions. As a doula, we are only legally able to provide emotional support, physical comfort, and unbiased information as requested.

what are the main benefits of having a doula?

Doulas are trained, experienced professionals who provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to mothers before, during, and after childbirth. Doulas view their role as nurturing and protecting a woman's birth experience and advocating for the family wishes during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum, especially when the mother may not able to advocate for herself. Doula services have statistically been proven to be associated with better birth outcomes, such as lower rates of cesarean sections, more breastfeeding, and fewer babies born underweight. We also serve women undergoing abortion, stillbirth, or miscarriages, and guide families through the integration process to make sure they always have the support they may need.

Do Doulas replace the role of the birth partner?

Although some women may confide in Doulas as their main support when they don’t have a primary birth partner, it is also a Doulas job to foresee ways her support is most needed to create a positive and bonding birth experience for the birth partner as well. We are not only here to support the Mother, but more so, we provide an extra set of hands to offer support within the family dynamic during in this journey into parenthood for everyone.

Do I need to have any prior experience to participate in the ceremonies you offer?

Although no prior experience is required to support Mothers during these ceremonies, I always encourage the group to hold a supportive container by stating some foundational container holding etiquette:

• there is space for all women to be heard, witnessed, and supported, notice when it is time to step forward, as well as step back

• we respect one another not only listening with our ears, but by listening with the compassion of our hearts

• we speak one person at each time, and are encouraged to take a pause after each persons share to honor the message to be fully integrated before adding to it

• Advice and responses can be shared with each other with consent after circle has ended ~ please ask if they are open to receiving advice/ feedback before you offer it, sometimes healing comes in the form of just needing to be heard and nothing more.

• we do not treat these circles as a therapy appointment, rather a place to share in brevity as a collective prayer all women can relate to together,

How can the placenta be transported safely after birth? How does it work?

Once you schedule your placenta remedy services, we will meet to provide you with a Placenta Care Kit to bring to your birth with you upon active labor. Be sure to include your written wishes of placenta care in your birth plan, talk to your primary care provider, and notify your birth partner to ensure safe keeping after delivery. Although you have a legal right to your placenta, if birthing in a hospital, some require a “Release of Placenta” form to show you understand the risks in order to protect your doctor or midwife. Your placenta will be analyzed by your care provider directly after birth and then placed in a sealed biohazard sterile bag ready to be put in refrigeration for your placenta specialist to collect within 24 hours.

Is there any reason why I wouldn’t get to take my placenta home?

The placenta can provide very useful information about your pregnancy and birth. This is especially useful if you or your baby have had any health problems. In the event that your placenta needs to go to pathology for research, request that only small samples are taken so that you can have the rest.  If you are going to practice placentophagy, it is important that your placenta doesn't come into contact with any formaldehyde, preservatives etc