FAQ

A doula is a professional trained in supporting families in transition.  There are many different kinds of specialty doulas, but I practice as a birth doula and postpartum doula.  All doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support, as well as resources and connections to community members that will support your individual needs.

Check out my vlog for more info.

Hypnobirthing is the emotional and mental preparation for birth, in addition to learning about the physiological process covered in typical birthing classes.  I think of it as childbirth education for your mind and body, supported by evidence based information, guided exercises, and meditation. 

In clinical trials, Hypnobirthing has been found to decrease pain intensity, decrease time in active labor, and decrease the number of days spent in hospital. 

Find out more here!

Birth doulas work with families during pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postpartum period.  I meet with families for two prenatal meetings to prepare for your birth, support you continuously throughout labor/birth, and help with lactation and your postpartum transition.  I support your choices and help to amplify your voice.

Postpartum doulas work with families as they make the big life transition of welcoming a new baby into their home.  I can help you feel comfortable and confident in caring for your newborn, as well as prioritizing your sleep, nutritional needs, physical healing, and self-care.  I'm also training to be an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and provide lactation/infant feeding support. 

There's a lot of positive evidence on doula support from medical research organizations (ACOG, Cochrane).  In fact, there has not been a negative risk found in having support from a trained doula!  Doulas help perceptions and experiences of laboring people, as well as provide the benefit of continuous labor support from a trained professional.  

Whenever it feels best for you!  Whenever you and/or your partner  (if applicable) feel ready for support is the right time to ask me to join you.  Doulas are the only birth professionals that will join you during early labor, which is another benefit of doula support.  

It's very rare for backup to be needed (like in the case of an unexpected emergency or illness.), but I have backup covered.  I'm a member of Madison Doula Collective, and we provide backup support for each other and the families that we work with.  You can meet the backup doulas surrounding your estimated due date at our monthly group prenatal meetings!

I support whatever feels best for your body in the moment, without judgement.  If you want to birth with medical pain management, I support you!  If you want to birth unmedicated, I support you!  There is a stereotype that doulas only support people having unmedicated births.  That's false!  There's body work, comfort measures, and positioning that can benefit the birth process with every preference.

I love working with partners.  Doulas provide calming reassurance and affirmation for all family members, but can especially help partners feel confident as they also move through a pivotal life-event.  Doulas also know an encyclopedia of labor positions and comfort techniques that they can utilize based on what they are observing.  Some positions and techniques are shown in childbirth education, but I offer suggestions based on what I'm noticing in the moment, and you can choose what feels most comfortable to you!

Nothing clinical or medical!  I'm trained in guiding birthing people and their families through any/all births.  If there is something that I cannot answer, or is out of my scope of practice, I will refer you to a person qualified to help. 

You can contract with a doula during anytime.  The earlier you connect with a doula, you are more likely to get your first choice, and gain access to a wealth of local resources.

After we meet for a free consultation, I will send you a welcome email with a contract and intake form.  After contracting, I will send an invoice for a retention fee, and start a shared folder for all digital files created with your family.  From there, we can schedule our prenatal or postpartum visits!