Tender Loving Birth Doula Services

Frequently Asked Questions

"What is a Doula?" This is a common question. It is a name borrowed from the Greek word meaning "servant." Childbirth doulas serve women during labor. While doulas do not handle any of the medical procedures or decisions, we attend to the laboring mother's physical and emotional needs. We also assist a mother and her partner gather important information about the course of the labor and their choices, including the benefits and risks associated with each choice as they come up.

"Won't my medical care providers (doctors/nurses/midwives) be enough?" Medical care providers often have to be focused on health and safety issues and aren't always able to tend to the mother's emotional needs during highly active times in childbirth. Doulas stay focused on the mother's comfort and emotional needs while doctors, nurses, and midwives may be otherwise preoccupied. Additionally, medical personnel often do not arrive for the birth until after labor has already been under way for many hours. Doulas arrive early in labor, even meeting you at your home, to assist in providing comfort immediately.

"I have a husband/partner who will be my support and probably a friend or two; what can a doula do?" Having people you already know and trust available during labor is a wonderful gift. Depending on those individuals' experience, personal availability, and the duration of labor, it may be enough support for the mother . However, labor is unpredictable in the vast array of "normal" births. People who have never supported women in labor may find the experience overwhelming, exhausting, and at times at loss for what to do to help the person they love so much. Doulas bring experience, knowledge, and care that are both objective and tender to help strengthen the support being given by others and to compliment/enhance their efforts.

"Once labor starts, when may I call you?" I am "on call" for you 24/7 the month surrounding your due date. Call as soon as you think labor is starting with the earliest of signs in order to give me time to get childcare and make other personal arrangements. While on the phone I may also give you some tips for what you can do until I arrive. Sometimes you may still be able to get some rest and wish to be undisturbed until sleep is no longer an option, or you are coping well with the techniques we have practiced in the prenatal visits, in which case I will arrive once you are ready for the extra support; but ultimately, you get to say when you want me to arrive.