WORKING WITH A DOULA
WHAT IS A BIRTH DOULA?
A birth doula, commonly called a “doula,” is a person who is trained to offer evidence-based information about a healthy pregnancy, help you prepare for birth and parenting, and provide physical and emotional support to you and your family before, during and just after birth. Wondering why you would want a doula at your birth? Check out the evidence here!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM A BIRTH DOULA
Before your birth: A doula can help you prepare for childbirth, talk with you about healthy pregnancy, and help you practice coping techniques to manage discomfort you may experience during labor, including deep breathing, relaxation and therapeutic touch. You can decide how often you would like to meet with your doula to prepare for labor and get to know each other. A minimum of 2 prenatal meetings is usually a great start, and you can always choose to meet more often. Your doula is also available by phone and/or email and can connect you with local resources if needed.
During your birthing time: Your doula typically joins you once you are in active labor. They will stay with you throughout the duration of your labor and birth, and will provide continuous physical and emotional support and encouragement to both you and your partner/family, if present. A doula will also help you put into practice those coping techniques and comfort measures you may have practiced during your prenatal meetings, as well as provide new suggestions as your labor progresses.
After your birth: A doula usually stays for a short time after the birth. Your doula may also visit you at home for a postpartum meeting, after you are settled in with your new baby, to answer any questions about things like feeding, newborn care, and to talk about your birth story.
What BIRTH Doulas Can Do
Your doula CAN offer suggestions and give you choices. The doula can help you understand typical labor as well as understand your own individual birth experience. A doula can help you get the evidence-based information that you need to make informed decisions about the birth of your baby.
WHAT BIRTH DOULAS DO NOT DO
Doulas DO NOT perform medical tasks or procedures like checking blood pressure, fetal heart rate, or your cervix for dilation. They don’t speak for you when decisions need to be made; decisions are the responsibility of you and your partner. They do not talk to other organizations or agencies about you unless you give them explicit permission. Doulas take no personal or professional responsibility for the outcome of the birth. Also, birth doulas do not provide childcare before, during or after the birth.
Your Responsibility as a Doula Client
We look forward to working with you! Our doulas are passionate about supporting our clients through pregnancy and birth. However, remember that your doula is a trained professional who makes an enormous commitment to be available to you during your pregnancy and birth. In turn, we ask that you honor your doula’s commitment to you and your family, and that you are respectful of their time. We expect our clients to do this in the following ways:
Once you are notified of your doula match, you are responsible for contacting your doula within seven days. Upon contacting your doula, your match will be confirmed and your doula will officially place your estimated due date (EDD) on their client calendar. NOTE: If you do not contact your doula within that seven-day time frame we will assume that you do not plan to work with your doula, and they will make themselves available for other clients.
Please arrive at your scheduled meetings in a timely manner, cancel if you are unable to attend, and respond to communication from your doula within a reasonable time frame. Also, please inform your doula as soon as possible if your contact information changes.
Our reimbursement rates and doula compensation are contingent upon clients receiving additional education. Because of this, matching preference is given to clients who have committed to attending at least 2 (prenatal yoga, childbirth education or breastfeeding) classes through Everyday Miracles, in addition to meeting with their doula prenatally.
“How we treat those that bring children into the world,
and whose bodies are the first worlds for babies,
whether with high honor or tenderness, or with neglect or abuse, does profoundly affect the direction of every society.”
PRICING
Doula support for those with a Medicaid (state-sponsored) insurance plan are 100% covered by your insurance (no out-of-pocket fees).
If you have private insurance, we can work with you to find a doula to fit a wide range of budgets and needs.
If you have any other questions about working with a doula, give us a call at (612) 353-6293 or email our Doula Coordinator. For more information on the many benefits of doula care, or to find out more about what working with a doula might include, check out the evidence on doula support .
