What is a Birth Doula?

A birth doula is a non-clinical companion and advocate for your birth journey. I offer threefold support: emotional, physical, and educational. I will listen to your biggest fears with a compassionate ear. As a birth professional, I can normalize all the surprises and unknowns. I offer physical support during labor and delivery through therapeutic touch, position suggestions, and other hands-on comfort measures. The educational support I provide is evidence-based and accessible; I want you to feel confident that you know what is happening to your body. From the time you sign on to work with me, I am available for all of your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum questions-- nothing is too big or too small.

What types of birth do you support?

I support all births and reproductive choices, including home, birth center, and in hospital births. Whether you plan to have an epidural, go completely unmedicated, need to be induced, elect to schedule a cesarean, or anything in between, I will be by your side helping to ensure you are informed and cared for during your entire birth process.

Why would I want a birth doula?

Importantly, doula support does not erase the role of a partner or other support person-- we work with the whole family to ensure that everyone in the birth room has the information they need to be as calm and present as possible. 

Evidence supports that doula care leads to better health outcomes of birthing individuals. According to Evidence Based Birth, "those who received continuous support were more likely to have a normal vaginal birth (without the use of forceps or vacuum) and less likely to have pain medication, negative feelings about childbirth, and Cesareans. In addition, the participant’s labors were shorter on average and their babies less likely to have complications at birth."

What’s the difference between a midwife and a doula?

Doulas and midwives can work together as your birth team, though their roles are distinct. Weather in a home or hospital setting, midwives are trained healthcare professionals who help manage the health of baby and the birthing parent during pregnancy, labor, and birth. They assess vitals, recommend herbs and medications as needed, and typically “catch” the baby when they are born. Doulas on the other hand attend to all the needs “above the waist”. We attend to the emotional and informational needs of our clients.