FAQs

What is a Birth Doula?

-A doula is committed to a long stretch of continuous physical, emotional and informational support leading up to, during the labour/birth and immediately postpartum that is designed to fill any gaps that might arise in the care team. Any services that are offered must fall into a Doula's scope of practice.

-A doula will provide recommendations for evidence-based information during the prenatal period, nutritional support and recipes for the pregnant person and partner, navigating and writing a birth plan, pregnant person's self-care, help in navigating information given to the birthing person and partner from medical professionals, alternative medicines and practices etc. A doula helps the expectant parents write up a “birth plan” or list of things they would like to have happen during and directly after labour. 

The doula will suggest or refer the expecting parents to programs or classes (if they are low-mid income suggest alternatives or free options) they can attend prenatally or postpartum.

 The doula will suggest books or allow to borrow books from doula’s library (or midwives library).
 The doula offers information on alternatives to typical pain medications and management.

-A doula supports the birthing person physically by giving them tutorials on diffrent birthing positions during prenatal visits, helping them get into and hold them in different birthing positions, offering message, counter pressure and aromatherapy during birth and making sure the birthing person and partner are drinking and eating.

-A doula brings support during the birth to not just the birthing person but also the partner. This support is especially beneficial when the partner is also experiencing emotional and physical highs/lows that come during pregnancy, labour and birth, pouring themselves into supporting the birthing person, difficulty navigating communication/boundaries with friends and families and the burden new life can generate. A birth doula is available to physically support the partner as well as the birthing person

--A doulas only focus is the client who has hired them, and are available for support in a professional manner. Doulas often work as the only birth support the clients may have, sometimes by situation but sometimes by the clients choice. They often work alongside the family and friend support the client already may have. 



-A doula provides emotional support to the birthing person which can look like, a reassuring presence, listening to the birthing persons story and feelings around the birth and transition to parenthood, offering encouragement, no judgement and acceptance of the birthing persons choices. A doula can spot the early signs of mental and physical health concerns that might arise and will suggest the clients seek further support.There is strong evidence that the support a doula offers minimizes the chances of postpartum depression and anxiety. 

Birth Doulas don't:


-A birth doula is not a medical professional, and well the doula is as committed to their client as a midwife or other care team member is, they work together in tandem to offer the birthing person, partner and infant the best care team.

-A birth doula does not replace a partner (unless the client chooses), medical professional, extended family & friends or the birthing persons community. 

-A birth doula does not catch the baby or preform any clinical tasks. 

-A birth doula does not make any medical decisions on behalf of the birthing person or partner.

What is a Postpartum Doula?

Postpartum Doulas do:

- A doula offer emotional support to the postpartum person which can look like, a reassuring presence, listening to the birthing person's story and feelings around the birth/transition to parenthood, offering encouragement, no judgement and acceptance of the birthing person's choices.

-A doula can spot the early signs of mental and physical health concerns that might arise and will suggest the clients seek further support.They also offer emotional support to the partner of the birthing person as well as other children the clients might already have, which can include knowledge of child development and experiences during transitions and listening to the partner retell what they experienced during the birth. 
(There is strong evidence that the support a doula offers minimizes the chances of postpartum depression and anxiety.)

-A postpartum doula is focused on elevating and empowering the voice and choices of their clients, setting aside their own bias and answers first to the client with accountability usually through a doula certificating group or organization. This allows for the Doula to be completely committed and supportive of their client's choices and encourages the autonomy of the postpartum person. 


-A postpartum doula is committed to long stretches of support designed to fill any gaps that might arise in the care team, but any services that are offered must fall into the Doula's scope of practice. These can include recommendations for evidence-based information on infant feeding practices, infant care and sleep, nutritional support and recipes for the postpartum person and partner, birthing persons self-care postpartum, help in navigating information given to parents from medical professionals, alternative medicines and practices etc.

-A doula’s primary focus is consistent care for the birthing/postpartum parent(s). This can include as needed:
 help with feeding additional children the clients might already have.
 Playing with other children well parents focus on new baby.
 Assisting in transition to sibling hood by offering encouraging words or giving parents resources or information that might help with the transition. 
The doula might stay with the infant well the parents rest during a night or day shift, allowing for more support

-A doula may provide household roles in addition to their other forms of support that intend to relieve stress of the postpartum client. These can often include:
Preparing a simple healthy meal for new parent/family, information on nutrition for mom and baby or helping parents navigate the information they have been given by other care professionals. 
Lite cleaning, such as sweeping, wiping up messes made well doula is present, loading or washing dishes, cleaning up after doula’s own messes made well supporting. 
Information on further support for the clients on best practices, for-hire professionals or non-for profits that can help with further support in the household during the prenatal and postpartum periods. 


Postpartum Doulas don't:


- A postpartum doula does not offer assessments on infant development or assessments on the mental and physical health of their clients.

-A postpartum doula does not diagnosis mental or physical health conditions.

-A doulas primary role is not to clean, cook, primary supervision for infant or children or drive the client to or from appointments.