What is a Doula?

A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a person before, during, and after childbirth. The word "doula" comes from the Greek word meaning "woman's servant" or "caregiver," but today, doulas are highly skilled advocates and companions dedicated to helping families have positive birthing experiences.

The Role of a Doula

  • Emotional Support: Offering reassurance, comfort, and encouragement to help manage fears and anxieties.

  • Physical Support: Assisting with comfort measures such as massage, breathing techniques, and positioning to ease labor pain.

  • Informational Support: Providing evidence-based information about labor, delivery options, and postpartum care to help you make informed decisions.

  • Advocacy: Supporting your birth preferences and helping communicate your wishes to the medical team.

  • Postpartum Support: Offering guidance and assistance after the baby arrives, including newborn care, breastfeeding support, and emotional reassurance.

What a Doula Does NOT Do

  • Doulas are not medical professionals and do not perform medical tasks or administer medications.

  • They do not make medical decisions but support you in understanding your options.

Why Hire a Doula?

Research shows that having a doula by your side can lead to:

  • Shorter labors

  • Reduced need for interventions like epidurals or cesareans

  • More satisfaction with the childbirth experience

  • Extensive training and experience in all birth locations and procedures

  • Better postpartum adaptation and bonding

READ THE EVIDENCE ON DOULA SUPPORT

What does support look like?

PRENATAL SUPPORT

✓ Birth & Postpartum planning

✓ Childbirth education & resources

✓ Exercises for optimal fetal positioning

✓ Practice using comfort measures

LABOR & DELIVERY SUPPORT

✓ Relaxation techniques, massage, counter pressure

✓ Advocacy for your birth preferences

✓ Support for other members of your birth team

✓ Birth photography or videography as requested

POSTPARTUM SUPPORT

✓ Resources for postpartum recovery

✓ Newborn care education

✓ Lactation & feeding support

✓ Support processing the birth

✓ Mental health check-in

✓ Emotional support

Still have questions?

  • Typically this is between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, reach out as soon as possible so I can make sure I have availability. I take up to 4-5 clients each month. It is never too late to hire a doula. Even if you are in labor, reach out.

    For medicaid clients, visits start at 20 weeks. However, if you know you are wanting support please reach out as soon as possible.

  • I don’t want cost to be a barrier for support. I offer many payment options.

    PAYMENT OPTIONS
    Private Pay: starting at $1000
    Medicaid/State Insurance: 100% covered
    Sliding Scale

    PACKAGES
    Birth Support
    2 Prenatal Visits (4-6 hours)
    2 Postpartum Visits (4 hours)
    Birth Photography

    Birth & Postpartum Support
    2 Prenatal Visits (4-6 hours)
    2 Postpartum Visits (4 hours) Additional 10 hours
    Birth Photography

    Birth Classes

  • Yes, I take insurance!

    Providing accessible care is an important to Womb Within. I'm certified in both Oregon & Washington and take:

    ✓ Washington Medicaid
    ✓ Oregon Medicaid (OHP)
    ✓ PEBB

    Not covered by these plans? Payment options include HSA, private pay customized payment plans, and sliding scale options. I don’t want cost to be a barrier for doula support, so please reach out.

  • Where you decide to give birth is up to you. I believe it is important to have a doula in ALL birthing places (home, birthing center, hospital, etc).

  • Having a doula for all pregnancies can be invaluable. All families should feel supported during this time. There are more logistics when adding a new human into any family and I will help navigate that with you and your family.

  • It is proven to be beneficial for the emotional well-being of the family to have doula support No matter what your ideal birth looks like. I provide a judgement-free environment to ask questions, learn about available options, and to support your decisions.

    A cesarean birth can often follow a longer healing time, and can require additional postpartum planning which I can help with. Most often, the doula is allowed to be present in the room during a cesarean birth.

  • I am not a licensed lactation consultant, therefore cannot give medical advice. However, I am trained in newborn feeding and can help support with bottle feeding, pumping, breastfeeding, or a combination.

    Feeding a newborn is a learning curve for all families and requires emotional and physical support. I am there to provide resources and support through it all.

  • While I support your choice in a Free Birth, I do not feel comfortable attending a Free Birth without a medical provider present. I would love to provide prenatal, birth preparation, newborn feeding, and postpartum support.

  • That’s great that you are starting to envision your birth. I support all births and all the decisions you decide. There are so many reasons why so many people choose to use pain medication during labor and I am here to guide you through whatever your birth may look like.

    Supporting births that utilize IV and regional medication is something I’m experienced in supporting. Providing education to clients on procedures, optimal positions for all the stages of labor, and birth prep.

  • This is such a common question I get. The answer is no! I am here to emotionally and physically support BOTH you during this time and also be emotional support to your partner. It is important to me that this time is supportive to the whole family. The goal is that you leave the birth place feeling so supported, prepared and connected.

  • No, but this is a common question because both provide support to birthing mamas! Midwives are trained medical professionals providing care to the birthing person throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They are trained in all procedures and interventions with the goal to keep both parent and baby healthy. through pregnancy, labor/delivery through 6 weeks postpartum. There is no replacing a midwife with a doula. They work alongside each other.

  • Absolutely! My stand alone doula service includes 2 prenatal visits, and 2 postpartum visits.

    I have a Postpartum doula who I can schedule you with especially if you are looking for overnight support.

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