FAQs
Q: Why should I consider a doula?
A: A doula offers support to parents both during pregnancy and postpartum. Laurie will meet with you to outline your desired birth plan, inform you of what to expect during labor and delivery, and then acts as a liaison between you and the medical team during the entire process.
A doula does not speak on your behalf, but can facilitate a better understanding of the options given to you in a hospital setting; "interpreting" so to speak, to ensure you and your partner are comfortable and understand what's going on. After delivery, Laurie is there for breastfeeding support and "parent coaching" for first time parents who might need guidance in the first 6 months of parenthood.
Q: What is Laurie's philosophy regarding birth?
A: I believe that my main role as your labor guide is to facilitate and witness you reaching YOUR birth goals. My foundational philosophy about birth is that each birthing person has the inner knowledge of how to give birth. The educational, emotional & physical support I provide is to help the pregnant person discover that knowledge and strength for themselves.
Q: What is Laurie's training?
A: I start with my personal experience as the foundation of my training. I have given birth 12 times, I KNOW what the laboring person is feeling and the emotional/mental/physical challenges that labor presents. During the labor of my first child, I had medical pain relief in an injection form or maybe a pill.....for subsequent births I used breathing/positioning, people support & water to allow the intensity of labor to do its work. I TRUST our bodies and babies and their innate ability to birth well, when supported to do so. I am completely comfortable witnessing a person, in their altered state, do the work to bring their baby through.
Q: How many births has Laurie attended as a doula?
A: I have supported 153 births as of October 2020. I began supporting persons in birth in 1989. January 2014 I began working as a Birth Assistant, as well as my doula work.
Q: Can Laurie provide references and is it possible to talk to some of her previous clients?
A: Absolutely! Please contact us for further information.
Q: What is Laurie's availability?
A: Please, refer to our Calendar page.
Q: Does Laurie have a back up plan in case of unavailability?
A: Yes. We work as a team. We do not attend birth alone. Each birthing person has the opportunity to choose who they prefer for the back-up.
Q: Has Laurie worked with your care providers?
A: Send your care providers name and partner group to us so we can answer this question.
Q: What is Laurie's relationship with other hospital or birth center personnel?
A: We have yet to encounter any problems with the care providers we've worked with. Some of the nurses have commented that it would be great if all their laboring persons could have the support of a doula.
Q: At what stage would Laurie join you during labor?
A: We agree on the best time to join you during your labor.
Q: How does Laurie see her role during the birth?
A: The role of a doula is dependent on the desires and needs of each parent. We view our role as one of guide or protector, providing support to allow the individual to discover their own, internal, ancient wisdom.
Q: What are ways Laurie includes the partner in birth?
A: Hiring professional support to attend your birth should never mean replacing any important people. Partners or other people you’ve asked to attend your birth all have roles in helping you achieve your labor and birth goals. We are there to support you and anyone else who is present. We do enjoy helping your partner (or other support people) find the involvement level that they feel most comfortable with. Having experienced support, that is comfortable with birth, gives the others present the freedom to experience the labor and birth in a way that feels right to them. A doula is support for all involved.
Q: What does Laurie expect from you?
A: (Service Agreement, Questionnaires, Birth plan etc.) Open communication is key to helping us serve you to the best of our abilities.
Together, we walk through the process of creating an extremely personalized birth plan.
Written references for future couples are greatly appreciated.
Q: Which labor-coping techniques does Laurie think tend to be the most helpful?
A: Thorough prenatal education prepares your mind, body and soul to make the journey of labor and birth confidently.
During labor and birth, creating an environment to allow the natural physiological processes to unfold.
Protecting the environment so that you feel safe and supported throughout the process.
Q: How does Laurie feel about the use of pain medication during labor?
A: Overall, I am there to support the birthing parent's decisions. There are legitimate reasons and situations for choosing pharmacological pain relief. When this happens, I continue to fully support the parent(s) and their birth goals.
Q: Is Laurie certified?
A: Yes.
-Certified Lactation Counselor with AALP (2011, 2014)
-Holistic Doula Certification with The Matrona (2013)
-48 hours of midwifery training with The Matrona (2013)
-International Certified Doula through through ICEA (2011)
-Certified Lactation Educator (1994)
-Read over 180 books since 1982 about birth and breastfeeding
I chose ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association--ICEA.org) because as a parent I gained a lot of my information and self-education through them. ICEA has been advocating and educating for evidence-based maternity practices since the 1960's.
A: A doula offers support to parents both during pregnancy and postpartum. Laurie will meet with you to outline your desired birth plan, inform you of what to expect during labor and delivery, and then acts as a liaison between you and the medical team during the entire process.
A doula does not speak on your behalf, but can facilitate a better understanding of the options given to you in a hospital setting; "interpreting" so to speak, to ensure you and your partner are comfortable and understand what's going on. After delivery, Laurie is there for breastfeeding support and "parent coaching" for first time parents who might need guidance in the first 6 months of parenthood.
Q: What is Laurie's philosophy regarding birth?
A: I believe that my main role as your labor guide is to facilitate and witness you reaching YOUR birth goals. My foundational philosophy about birth is that each birthing person has the inner knowledge of how to give birth. The educational, emotional & physical support I provide is to help the pregnant person discover that knowledge and strength for themselves.
Q: What is Laurie's training?
A: I start with my personal experience as the foundation of my training. I have given birth 12 times, I KNOW what the laboring person is feeling and the emotional/mental/physical challenges that labor presents. During the labor of my first child, I had medical pain relief in an injection form or maybe a pill.....for subsequent births I used breathing/positioning, people support & water to allow the intensity of labor to do its work. I TRUST our bodies and babies and their innate ability to birth well, when supported to do so. I am completely comfortable witnessing a person, in their altered state, do the work to bring their baby through.
Q: How many births has Laurie attended as a doula?
A: I have supported 153 births as of October 2020. I began supporting persons in birth in 1989. January 2014 I began working as a Birth Assistant, as well as my doula work.
Q: Can Laurie provide references and is it possible to talk to some of her previous clients?
A: Absolutely! Please contact us for further information.
Q: What is Laurie's availability?
A: Please, refer to our Calendar page.
Q: Does Laurie have a back up plan in case of unavailability?
A: Yes. We work as a team. We do not attend birth alone. Each birthing person has the opportunity to choose who they prefer for the back-up.
Q: Has Laurie worked with your care providers?
A: Send your care providers name and partner group to us so we can answer this question.
Q: What is Laurie's relationship with other hospital or birth center personnel?
A: We have yet to encounter any problems with the care providers we've worked with. Some of the nurses have commented that it would be great if all their laboring persons could have the support of a doula.
Q: At what stage would Laurie join you during labor?
A: We agree on the best time to join you during your labor.
Q: How does Laurie see her role during the birth?
A: The role of a doula is dependent on the desires and needs of each parent. We view our role as one of guide or protector, providing support to allow the individual to discover their own, internal, ancient wisdom.
Q: What are ways Laurie includes the partner in birth?
A: Hiring professional support to attend your birth should never mean replacing any important people. Partners or other people you’ve asked to attend your birth all have roles in helping you achieve your labor and birth goals. We are there to support you and anyone else who is present. We do enjoy helping your partner (or other support people) find the involvement level that they feel most comfortable with. Having experienced support, that is comfortable with birth, gives the others present the freedom to experience the labor and birth in a way that feels right to them. A doula is support for all involved.
Q: What does Laurie expect from you?
A: (Service Agreement, Questionnaires, Birth plan etc.) Open communication is key to helping us serve you to the best of our abilities.
Together, we walk through the process of creating an extremely personalized birth plan.
Written references for future couples are greatly appreciated.
Q: Which labor-coping techniques does Laurie think tend to be the most helpful?
A: Thorough prenatal education prepares your mind, body and soul to make the journey of labor and birth confidently.
During labor and birth, creating an environment to allow the natural physiological processes to unfold.
Protecting the environment so that you feel safe and supported throughout the process.
Q: How does Laurie feel about the use of pain medication during labor?
A: Overall, I am there to support the birthing parent's decisions. There are legitimate reasons and situations for choosing pharmacological pain relief. When this happens, I continue to fully support the parent(s) and their birth goals.
Q: Is Laurie certified?
A: Yes.
-Certified Lactation Counselor with AALP (2011, 2014)
-Holistic Doula Certification with The Matrona (2013)
-48 hours of midwifery training with The Matrona (2013)
-International Certified Doula through through ICEA (2011)
-Certified Lactation Educator (1994)
-Read over 180 books since 1982 about birth and breastfeeding
I chose ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association--ICEA.org) because as a parent I gained a lot of my information and self-education through them. ICEA has been advocating and educating for evidence-based maternity practices since the 1960's.
616.914.6041 | paisleybirth@gmail.com
How you birth changes the world.
How you birth changes the world.
