Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs a birth doula?
Every pregnant momma needs a birth doula! Doulas offer emotional, educational and physical support not just during labor and birth, but through pregnancy and postpartum as well. We are trained professionals that have a heart for serving woman and families, we will do whatever we can to help you and your family have a positive experience through out your whole journey into motherhood.
How much does it cost to hire you as much birth doula?
Total cost for birth doula services will be talked about during our consultation! I do offer payment plans where we can break up payments into four or in to six different installments, but all money is due by week 36 of your pregnancy when we will have our at home prenatal appointment!
Dear Momma, also offers a sliding scale for single mothers and families who are struggling financially. I do this because I believe that all families deserve support and care and I never want finances to be a reason that you feel under-supported during your pregnancy and/or birth.
How much does it cost to hire you as my postpartum doula?
Postpartum care is $30 an hour and over night support is $40 an hour. You and I will choose how many hours you would like to sign for during our first few chats! There are no specific hours I will or will not work, it is entirely dependent on what you need, what works for my family.
When do I call you when I am in labor?
You should call your doula as soon as you feel you need support! You hired a doula to be your support system so call when you need support! If you are not ready for physical support, you can always ask questions over the phone. If you are planning a hospital birth, I still will labor with you at your home and we will transfer to the hospital when it is time.
What if I go into labor before 37 weeks?
I will be there to support you the best I can! In my contract I promise to be no more then two hours away from your birthing location between 37 weeks to 42 weeks gestation. I could be out of town during 36 weeks gestations or prior, but thats truthfully very unlikely :).
What if you come to early?
If I come to you and it is very early labor and there is nothing I can really do to support you, then I will leave and go home! No worries! It is always good for me to check in, so no harm in it!
How long do you stay after the baby is born?
I typically stay about two hours after baby is born! During those two hours I will help get you cleaned up, drinking some fluids and eating a nutritious meal! I will also be helping with getting the birth place picked up, cleaned and organized. I will prepare your postpartum supplies and I will assist the best I can with breast feeding ( I am not a lactation consultant), not to mention I will be repeatedly telling you how adorable your baby is and what a good job you did!
What if I have previous birth trauma?
Well Momma, you have come to the right place… Some woman have wonderful birth experiences but MANY of them do not, so you are not alone, and I am so proud of you for facing the trauma and doing the work to ensure your next birth is not going to have the same outcome! We will do the work together to talk about your last birth and work through those emotions and mental blocks. With education, we will make a birth preference list so that you feel confident and in control of your birth. Knowing your options, understanding the birth process and mentally preparing will give you the tools you need to feel really good about birth.
What if I feel unsafe in my birth place?
All animals go to find a quiet and safe place to birth, and humans are no different in that aspect. Biologically we are designed to birth in a place that feels safe. When we feel unsafe, labor stalls. Unsafe can mean a variety of things, typically I see that it is unspoken fears or anxieties that rise up during labor, sometimes it is someone in the birth room, sometimes the lights need to be deemed and everyone needs to stop chatting. The wonderful thing is we can have control over our environment. Prior to labor I will do my best to extract any unsaid fears about labor, even if they seem silly, we need to talk about them! We will also make sure that you feel confident about your birth team AND your visiting/visitors preferences. Fun Fact: you can fire your doctor or your nurse, no questions asked. You have the ability to send who ever you want out of the room, even me! Making sure your birth space is right for you is very important and you have complete control over it, and I want you to feel confident about that! In my birth bag I have tea lights , a speaker and a few other things to create a peaceful ambience! HOT TIP: having a few playlists ready for labor can be really helpful in creating an environment that makes you feel good!
What if my partner needs support?
Doulas absolutely support partners as well, we ensure that they feel safe and confident in the process, and that their questions and concerns are answered. We support partners by making sure they feel involved. I can help guide and instruct your partner to know where to go and where stand, know when to talk and know when not to, know where to touch and know when to not touch. Your birth should primarily be an intimate experience between you and your family, I want to protect that!
If you have more questions outside of these, please email me at dearmommadoulava@gmail.com