FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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COMMON QUESTIONS

When do I call my doula?

If you have a midwife, you’ll probably know that you are to call once contractions are a certain pattern, a minute long, and a few minutes apart.

But your doula? When you need me. Okay, when is that? It could be after a long night of on-and-off labour, and you are feeling discouraged. Perhaps a pep talk is needed. Or when you are feeling uncomfortable enough that your current tools aren’t helping anymore. I usually say that the moment your contractions demand your attention is a good time to have me join the party.

Ultimately, I will be there whenever and however long you need my support.

don't let money get you down honey,

I know you've got enough things to worry about! Some clients pay in full, but upfront the only thing I require is a $250 spot deposit. After that, a payment plan can be arranged.

You might be surprised to learn that some benefits plans now include doula care under "excess spending." Check in with yours to see if you can have doula care covered.

Plus, you could always consider adding your doula costs to your baby registry! You won't regret it..

I want doula care to be accessible to everyone, so my goal with payment plans is to help you get what you need, in a way that works for you. Often, clients choose a two-payment system a few months apart to make it easier on their wallets.

What about my partner?

I am not only there to support you, I’m here for the whole team. From checking in on them and making sure they are remembering to eat or grabbing them a coffee. I’m their biggest fan, cheering them on or gently directing so that they feel confident supporting you.

It’s a different journey to watch the love of your life endure birth, I’m there to make sure they feel seen and cared for.

I find partners and I are usually managing the logistics of birth together, brainstorming how best to help you and get you what you need. They, after all, are your tether to reality, so helping to set them on a confident foundation in which they are able to guide you is my main priority. 

do you offer postpartum care?

My doula package includes one postpartum visit where we’ll debrief your birth. Review any concerns or questions you may have. It may be goodbye, but you will still have access to text support for the next 4 weeks.

Postpartum care that involves things like laundry, tidying and or dishes for multiple hours is something I am currently taking a break from. Seeing as my own two toddlers create enough laundry and mess on their own…I’m kept pretty busy at home!

If you are specifically looking for a postpartum doula , I am more than happy to offer you a referral to another amazing doula in our community.

faq’s

  • This statment often gets brought up in consults. Will you as my doula truly support my hospital birth and or decision to recieve pain relief, such as an epidural?

    Even though we plaster it all over our websites and intro packages. It can be hard to believe that a doula will “actually” support this kind of birth plan. Birth doulas after all are often percieved as crunchy or more in favour of a certain birth plan.

    Your birth has nothing to do with my personal opinions or beliefs. But if helps at all to know, I’m a doula who planned two homebirths and ended with two, very medicalized, hospital births!

    The details are not what matters to me. Does your chosen birth location make you feel safe? Would be the follow up question I would have to this statment. For your emotional and mental well being matter most to me!

  • My marry poppins bag as I call it, is full of tools that may offer support, pain relief or “distraction”, in-between solutions while waiting on an epidural, or anchors that become the thing that gets you through labaour!

    • Birth combs

      • Held in the palm of your hand, offers relief as they put pressure on specific acupressure points. They also offer a new sensation to pull the brain away from focusing on just the contraction.

    • Essential oils

      • Often used while you take a shower or bath. I find clients who already love essential oils find them very comforting during labour.

    • Rebozo

      • A traditional Mexican midwifery tool, translates to scarf. Has many different purposes, helps to lift your belly or shimmy your hips. We review these techniques together your first prenatal appointment with me!

    • TENS Machine

      • A great early labour tool or while labouring at home and the transition to the hospital. Offers pain relief or just a different sensation distract your brain. Placed on your back it does this via an electric current, the sensation is almost prickly but not painful.

    • Tennis balls

      • A great massage tool or for counter pressure. Helps me provide a much more direct and intense pressure to specfic muscles, and when in labour the harder the better!

    • Candles

      • Fake candles make everything feel better. It brings a sense of calm and also ceremony. As your birth-vibe coordinator, candles can really make a moment feel special and oh so zen.

    • Portable Speaker

      • Along that same thread, I bring a bluetooth speaker along. Either create your own playlist or I’ll pop on a pre-made birthy playlist. It’s all about engaging our senses to distract the brain! For it wants us to think “woah this doesn’t feel good aka isn’t good”. But that’s not true, this discomfort is productive and your baby will be here soon!

    • Birth Affirmation Cards

      • I hang these up around the room!

    • Hot and Cold Packs

  • I am now a registered doula with the DAFGP (Doula Aboriginal Family Grant Program). This means that whether you or your partner have any indigenous roots, up to $1,200 will be covered by this grant program. Not to worry, I will work together to have your application submitted.

    It’s important to note that the grant program requires its doulas to take a cultural sensitivity training. Offering you the opportunity to have open conversations on how we can honour and or bring cultural elements.

    Whatever that means to you, it would be a privilege to help facilitate cultural elements within your birthing experience

  • The most important tool I bring to the room, is me! My hands, heart, and mind. A birth bag is awesome, but some births I think to myself - it would be more useful thrown out the window. For birth doesn’t always allow us to catch our breath, use a comb and breath deep to spa music with candles. Birth is raw and messy.

    I find I provide a lot of hands on support. Counter pressure or a double hip squeeze, to braiding your hair back and rubbing your back.

    I also ponder and problem solve. Always paying attention to your labour pattern and making mental notes. So I can keep you informed with what I am percieving and offer some solutions if baby allows via spinning babies positioning.

    The point of our time together prenatally is so we can build trust. So that when I say it’s time to change position, you know in confidence I’m percieving something you may not notice in the throws of labour.