FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

So what exactly * Is * a doula?

The working definition for a doula is a birth worker who provides the birthing person with physical, emotional, and informational support throughout the pregnancy, labor, and postpartum phases of birth.

what does that support look like?

Let’s break it down. Physical support can involve anything from helping you find and maintain certain positions that are good for moving the baby along to brushing your hair to pass the time as you dilate. Informational support can look like me making sure you and your doctor are on the same page or doing a deep dive on all of the evidence-based material I can find on a particular topic. Emotional support — now that’s the big one. I’m here to listen, to process, to stay next to you as you move through your experience.

What Do you mean by ‘full-spectrum’?

A full-spectrum doula simply acknowledges that, with the variability of birth comes the variability of outcomes and pledges to care for the person going through those outcomes, whatever those may be. I recognize that abortions, stillbirths, miscarriages, c-sections, vaginal births, VBACS, adoptions, and the myriad other reproductive realities are just as valid as the other, and a person’s history with one experience may inform future experiences.

That being said, I am still relatively new to the birth world and while I am working to gain the education necessary to provide great support to all who want it, my training has primarily focused around birth and postpartum. If you would like help finding a doula with more experience in your realm, feel free to reach out or check out my resources page.

Can my doula give me medical advice?

They cannot! Doulas are not medical professionals. Any questions or concerns you have about your or your baby’s health should be directed to your medical care team.

What if you can’t make the birth?

I work with a partner named Rebecca Cordes who is an experienced postpartum doula. She’s a lovely, compassionate person who has a beautiful, sincere approach to her birth work. You will have the opportunity to meet her during one of our prenatals, if you’d like. If Rebecca is unavailable to serve as a backup, I trained with 12 other incredible doulas, each of whom would provide excellent care. We will make sure we’re on the same page concerning availability during our first prenatal visit.

Why do you work with a partner?

Because even those whose job is to support need a little support! By working together, Rebecca and I can check with each other and our greater network to ensure you’re getting the best support for your situation as possible. The nature of birth work often means living a 24/7 on-call life — by working with a partner, we each are able to reset after a birth while the other takes over the role as primary doula.

Why did you choose this work?

I love babies — who can resist? They’re total magic — but I care deeply about women and the people going through such a monumental physical, emotional, and spiritual change. I want to make sure that transition is seen through with care and attention, that each reproductive person is treated with the respect they deserve, and that the experience doesn’t come with unnecessary trauma. I believe that simple acts like constant, steady presence, an open, listening ear, and a designated time/space for processing all that’s going on can make impactful, lasting difference. I am grateful that my role as a doula means I can make sure that space is created.