THINGS WE OFTEN GET ASKED

​These are some of the most frequent questions we get on Doulas, birthing and the postpartum period. Also check out our Resources page and Blog, which contain useful additional information. Of course, your Doula will also be more than happy to discuss any question you have as there is much more to tell!

1. What is the difference between a Doula and a midwife?

A Doula provides physical, emotional, and partner support. She helps you to be a better advocate for yourself and provides you evidence based information. She doesn't do any medical examination. A doula is a non-medical assistant in prenatal care, childbirth and during the postpartum period. The word doula is Greek and refers to a woman who personally serves another woman. The midwife checks on you on a regular base (measuring the baby, blood pressure) and she delivers your baby. ​

2. Ten Benefits of a Doula:

• ​less likely to need Pitocin
• less likely to have a cesarean birth
• less likely to use any pain medication
• more likely to rate their childbirth experience positively
• Always someone with the mom in the room
• Partner can relax
• Someone to share your worries with
• Helps you to be a better advocate for yourself
• Someone around with experience about the birth process. What is normal, what is not normal.
• Helps you with initial breastfeeding

3. Will insurance cover a Doula?

For now, Doulas are considered out of network with a majority of insurance providers. However, we strongly encourage you to submit your receipts for this out-of-pocket investment to your provider, as we’ve had a lot of success with partial or full reimbursement from many insurance companies. We are also open for a payment plan.

4. Questions to ask when selecting a care provider:

• What do you see as my role and responsibilities during pregnancy & birth? How do you prefer to work with your clients?
• How do you feel about my partner, other family or friends or a doula attending my birth?
• What are your feelings about childbirth preparation classes? Do you have any recommendations for good classes?
• What are the chances that you will be present when I give birth? Who covers when you are not available? Will I have a chance to meet that person? 
• How do you feel about birth plans? If I prepare one, will you check in for safety and compatibility with your practices and hospital policies?
• Do you have the flexibility to accommodate individual preferences or needs of your clients?
• How far can I go over my due date?

5. What to bring to the hospital:

• Extra pillow
• Music/playlist
• Charger phone
• Birth plan
• Snacks & Gatorade
• Chapstick
• Slippers
• Headbands
• Massage lotion/tools
• Nursing bras/pads/cream
• Car seat
• Baby outfit
• Baby hat
• Toiletries
• Cloths parents/underwear
• Insurance
• Info pediatrician

6. When do you need to go to the hospital? Sooner than the "511".

• If you vomit with contractions
• If you feel rectal pressure
• If you are unable to talk or walk-through contractions
• If you think that your "water" has broken
• If you have vaginal bleeding
• If you are tested strep B positive
• If you live far from the hospital
• If you progress quickly

​7. What are the advantages of baby wearing?

Baby wearing are for example: the cotton wraps, ergo baby, baby Bjorn, baby K'tan, Moby ring sling, Boba wrap 

• Promotes secure mother baby attachment 
• Baby cries less
• Aids baby's  healthy psychical development             
• Makes mother more responsive to baby
• Reduces reflux symptoms
• Helps depressed mothers to nurture their babies
• Improves breastfeeding rates
• Soothes baby when distressed     
• Encourages wellbeing and relaxation in both mother & baby
• Baby spits-up less
• Lowers risk of otitis media
• Improves baby's digestion
• Eases transition in to world by mimicking womb
• Baby less fussy
• Meets newborn's needs to be close to mother
• Humans are biologically adapted to carry their infants
• Touch & motion physiologically calm baby
• May lessen postpartum depression 
• Reduces risk of flat head
• Uses less energy than in-arm carrying
• Synchronizes mother & baby biologically
• Supports physical growth in preterm infants
• May increase mothers' resilience and parental confidence​

8. How do you know if a baby latch on well?

• The following are signs that the baby is sucking properly at the breast.
• Upon initial latch baby will begin to suck quickly
• These quick sucks will trigger mothers letdown reflex.
• Baby’s sucking will become longer and a suck-suck-pause pattern should develop as the milk lets down.
• Baby’s ear and temple will wiggle with each suck.
• Mother should feel a gentle tugging, but no pain.
• Baby’s lips should be flanged and tongue should cup the breast.
• See it: The temple/ear wiggle, jaw movement
• Feel it: Gentle tugging at the breast
• Hear it: Audible suck, swallow, pattern

     (Resource: DONA: www.dona.org)

9. When do you need to call your OB/GYN Postpartum?

• If you have fever over 100.4 F or 38 C
• If you have foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• If you have increased uterine pain
• If you have a heavy bleeding
• If you have a burning feeling with urination
• If you feel a lump or hard area, or pain in your breast
• If you have a red, tender, painful area on your leg
• Any other concerns about your health

​10. Ten strategies to cope with sleep deprivation postpartum:

• ​Sleep (or try to relax!) when the baby sleeps.
• Say yes to anyone who offers to help.
• Discuss ways your partner can help.
• Take a day to stay in your pajamas and rest.
• Try to get outside every day.
• Drink water and eat healthy foods.
• Limit caffeine.
• Try not to look at the clock at night.
• You are not spoiling your newborn by responding at night.
• The period of sleep deprivation WILL end.​

11. Ten reasons a mother benefits from using a Birth Ball during birthing:

1. ​It helps babies to get in better alignment in the pelvis. 
2. It allows our moms to relax deeply in an upright position. 
3. It encourages pelvic mobility and can so help to turn a posterior baby.
4. Aid in baby descending into the pelvic and applying its head to the cervix.
5. To shift her weight, rock her pelvis and find comfortable positions to relax in more easily.
6. Rhythmic movement is created that allows the mother to get "in sync" with the rhythmic progression of her contractions. 
7. Lower to the ground for getting up and down to go to the bathroom. 
8. Practice hypnosis techniques and deep relaxation on it every day. 
9. Increases the pelvic diameter temporarily as a mom rocks for comfort and to help the baby to descend. 
10. In the semi squatting forward leaning position you'll be encouraging your happy, wiggling baby to settle into the perfect position for birthing. ​ ​

12. Things to do before baby comes:

• Having everything packed and ready for the baby's birth by 37 weeks. 
• Keep all the necessary information at one place all together. 
• Keep hard copies of the preference birth plan to give to the nurse, doula or doctor.
• Plan several routes to the birth facility and know which entrance to use after office hours. 
• Having the car seat installed and safety-checked. 
• Ask the mom what else she needs to feel ready because if she doesn't feel ready, she's NOT ready!

​Do You Have More Questions?​

LET'S TALK!