FAQs
Q: What is the doula'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 woman 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 women and babies and their innate ability to birth well, when supported to do so. I am completely comfortable witnessing a woman,
in her altered state, do her work to bring her baby through.
Q: Is she 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.
Q: How many births has she attended as a doula?
A: I have supported 108 births as of January 12, 2015. I began supporting women in birth in 1989. January 2014 I began working as a Birth Assistant, as well as my doula work.
Q: What is her 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 woman has the inner knowledge of how to give birth. The educational, emotional & physical support I provide is to help the woman discover that knowledge and strength for herself.
Q: Can the doula provide references and is it possible to talk to some of her previous clients?
A: Absolutely! Please contact us for further information.
Q: What does she provide as part of her service? Does she do both prenatal and postnatal visits?
A: Refer to Services page of this website or contact us to schedule your consult.
Q: What is her availability?
A: Refer to the Services main page.
Q: Does she have a back up plan in case of unavailability?
A: Yes. We work as a team. We do not attend birth alone. Each woman has the opportunity to choose who she prefers for the back-up.
Q: Has the doula worked with your care providers?
A: Send your care providers name and partner group to us so we can let answer this question.
Q: What is her 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 women could have the support of a doula.
Q: At what stage would she join you during labor?
A: We agree on the best time to join you during your labor.
Q: How does she see her role during the birth?
A: The role of a doula is dependent on the desires and needs of each woman. We view our role as one of guide or protector, providing support to allow the woman to discover her own, internal, ancient wisdom.
Q: What are ways she includes the partner in birth?
A: Hiring professional support to attend your birth should never mean replacing any important people. Partners, mothers 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 other people 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 the doula 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 she 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 she feel about the use of pain medication during labor?
A: Overall, I am there to support the mother's decisions. There are legitimate reasons and situations for choosing pharmacological pain relief. When this happens, I continue to fully support the woman and her birth goals.
A: I start with my personal experience as the foundation of my training. I have given birth 12 times, I KNOW what the laboring woman 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 women and babies and their innate ability to birth well, when supported to do so. I am completely comfortable witnessing a woman,
in her altered state, do her work to bring her baby through.
Q: Is she 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.
Q: How many births has she attended as a doula?
A: I have supported 108 births as of January 12, 2015. I began supporting women in birth in 1989. January 2014 I began working as a Birth Assistant, as well as my doula work.
Q: What is her 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 woman has the inner knowledge of how to give birth. The educational, emotional & physical support I provide is to help the woman discover that knowledge and strength for herself.
Q: Can the doula provide references and is it possible to talk to some of her previous clients?
A: Absolutely! Please contact us for further information.
Q: What does she provide as part of her service? Does she do both prenatal and postnatal visits?
A: Refer to Services page of this website or contact us to schedule your consult.
Q: What is her availability?
A: Refer to the Services main page.
Q: Does she have a back up plan in case of unavailability?
A: Yes. We work as a team. We do not attend birth alone. Each woman has the opportunity to choose who she prefers for the back-up.
Q: Has the doula worked with your care providers?
A: Send your care providers name and partner group to us so we can let answer this question.
Q: What is her 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 women could have the support of a doula.
Q: At what stage would she join you during labor?
A: We agree on the best time to join you during your labor.
Q: How does she see her role during the birth?
A: The role of a doula is dependent on the desires and needs of each woman. We view our role as one of guide or protector, providing support to allow the woman to discover her own, internal, ancient wisdom.
Q: What are ways she includes the partner in birth?
A: Hiring professional support to attend your birth should never mean replacing any important people. Partners, mothers 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 other people 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 the doula 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 she 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 she feel about the use of pain medication during labor?
A: Overall, I am there to support the mother's decisions. There are legitimate reasons and situations for choosing pharmacological pain relief. When this happens, I continue to fully support the woman and her birth goals.
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