Frequantly asked question's

* What is a birth Doula?

She is a companion and guide that walks the path into parenthood with couples. She provides emotional and physical support along with resources and birth preparations prenatally, during birth, and in those first few weeks after. She is understanding of how they feel and hold safe space for them!

* What is the difference between a Doula and a Midwife?

A doula is a non-medical support person who focuses on caring for you emotionally and physically, and helps you to feel informed and empowered. While they often have similar approaches, a midwife differs from a doula in a very large way. A midwife is a medical professional, meaning that the primary focus of their care is on the health and safety of you and your baby. Both doulas and midwives work with you prenatally, support you throughout the birth and follow up with you postpartum. Typically at a birth, doulas are found doing hip squeezes, refilling your water bottle, providing guidance and reassurance (to you and your partner), and repeating affirmations that empower you. At a birth, midwives top priorities include: ensuring that you and baby's vital signs are stable, assessing you and your baby, completing cervical exams when needed, administering medication if necessary, and catching the baby you are birthing.

Essentially Doulas and midwives go together like peanut butter and jelly!

* How does a Doula work with my partner?

A common question doulas get is, "Will my partner feel left out?" And, this is a very valid question. Many think that a doula takes the role of the partner when, in fact, our role supports them as well. I firmly believe that my role as your doula is to amplify support, and that goes for your partner too. I have worked with many different birthing partners, yet they all have one thing in common: Your partner knows you better than anyone else. Even if they aren't sure how to support you in labor/birth, they know your fears, preferences and desires. We work with your partner by encouraging them, offering guidance and suggestions when needed, reminding them to also stay hydrated and to take bathroom breaks, and more. If your partner has witnessed birth before, they still deserve support and the comfort in knowing they are supported as well.

* Will a Doula be useful if I want medication or if I have a cesarean?

Absolutely! Doulas support all types of birth. While you may not request much physical support, there are emotional and informational ways doulas can support you.

A doula can help you find a rhythm and stay informed, and can ensure that you are cared for emotionally and mentally. Whether you choose pain medication, whether your cesarean is scheduled or unplanned, sometimes there is still a need for other coping techniques, such as counter pressure, that we may need to utilize. Having a doula can provide you with reassurance that you have more tools at your fingertips. Perhaps you feel you are coping well with the discomfort of labor-- wonderful! As your Doula I can ensure that you and your partner's emotions are supported and that you continue to receive any information you would like.

The physical support piece does not fully go away, you still have things like massage or positioning as options. At cesarean births, whether they are planned or not, doulas are useful to help with cesarean birth preparedness, balancing emotions and thoughts, and keeping you informed of the options you still have in the operating room.

* What is a postpartum Doula?

Postpartum doulas work with you during those first moments at home, typically ranging from a couple days to a couple weeks. Postpartum doulas provide unbiased, evidence-based information, and create a safe space for you to feel comfortable and cared for. You will receive assistance with newborn care, light household tidying, food preparation, lactation, laundry and more. Postpartum doulas provide critical support during the often overlooked "fourth trimester."

* How does a Postpartum Doula work with my family?

As everyone navigates to the transition of a new baby the doula offers encouragement, advice, guidance and support for the family. As a Postpartum Doula I make sure moms self care comes first!... Yes, a professionally trained pp doula makes you the priority. This includes your mental and emotional health, your physical healing from birth, and your sleep. Those needs are often met when a postpartum doula supports another aspect of the family/home. When you feel your baby is taken care of, the kitchen is organized and your lunch is made, your overall well-being has a chance to feel restful and cared for. A postpartum doula tends to what you need, sometimes even without needing direction (as long as it's within their scope of practice).

* What does postpartum care for a family typically look like?

Each family's needs are unique, therefore your experience and schedule with your postpartum doula will be unique and individualized to fit you and your needs. Depending on my availability at that time, I may do day or night shifts, ranging anywhere from 2 hours long to 8 hours long. You can choose to have Doula care with you once a week or several days a week; again, it's completely up to you. For example, I have done three 4-hour day shifts a week with one family, and two overnight shifts a week with another family. It all depends on your needs, my availability, and when you need support!

* What kind of foods do I cook?

Whole, nutrient-dense foods! Because not only does it boost physical strength and energy but also promotes restful sleep and help improve mood, which is essential when you're healing from birth, caring for a new baby, or recovering from a hardship. I focus on fresh produce, organically-grown whenever possible, grass-fed and pasture-raised meats, and wholesome fats like ghee and coconut milk. The base of all my soups and stews are homemade, long-simmered chicken and vegetable broths.

* Why warm broths, soups, and stews?

If you can eat all the nutrients you need in one bowl, why wouldn't you? Hearty, wholesome soups and stews offer a complete meal that is easy to digest. Having strong digestion is the foundation of strong postpartum recovery and digestible breast milk. This takes effort to achieve and doesn’t just happen by itself. Birthing expends a tremendous amount of energy from the body, and consequently, the digestion becomes weak. On top of that, it takes time for your displaced organs to regain their pre-pregnancy condition, which adds another degree of sensitivity to your digestion. In reality, your digestion will be almost as sensitive as your newborns’. Just as you would never feed your baby a frozen pizza, you should steer clear of frozen cold foods in your postpartum diet as well... And in a world where most of us feel like we never have enough time, a dish that requires a long, slow cooking process is not just a gift of nourishment, but of someone’s precious time. There is no dish that is cooked with as much love and patience as a soup or stew!