Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a doula?

The decision to hire a doula is a personal one and depends on your individual needs, preferences, and support system. While having a doula is not a requirement, many individuals and their partners find immense value in their services. Here are some factors to consider:

Emotional Support: Doulas provide continuous emotional support, offering reassurance, encouragement, and a calming presence throughout the entire birth process. They can help alleviate anxiety, fears, and provide a sense of comfort.
Information and Advocacy: Doulas offer evidence-based information, helping you understand your options, discuss birth preferences, and make informed decisions about your care. They can advocate for your choices and facilitate communication with healthcare providers.
Partner Involvement: Doulas support partners by offering guidance, reassurance, and suggestions on how they can actively participate in the birth process. They can help partners feel more confident and involved in supporting you during labor and birth.
Birth Planning: Doulas assist in creating a birth plan that reflects your preferences and desires for your childbirth experience. They can help you navigate various choices, discuss interventions, and clarify your birth goals.
Continuous Support: Doulas provide continuous support throughout labor and birth, ensuring someone is by your side at all times. They can offer comfort measures, suggest positions, and provide guidance to help manage pain and promote a positive birth experience.

Ultimately, a doula can enhance your birthing experience, provide valuable support, and help you feel more empowered and confident during this transformative time. Consider your specific needs, preferences, and the level of support available to you when deciding whether or not to hire a doula

What does a doula do?

A doula provides physical, emotional, and informational support throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. They offer guidance, comfort measures, advocacy, and help with birth planning and decision-making. Their role is to support and empower individuals and their partners during this transformative journey.

I have a private midwife, do I need a doula?

While you already have a midwife, having a doula alongside can offer additional benefits. A doula provides continuous emotional support, offers information and advocacy, and helps with comfort measures during labor. They enhance partner involvement and can provide postpartum support as well. While a midwife focuses on medical care, a doula complements their support by providing unique non-medical assistance and enhancing your overall birth experience

I'm giving birth in a hospital? Do I need a doula?

Having a doula can be particularly important in a hospital setting due to the policies and protocols that may not always align with your preferences or best interests. While midwives provide valuable care, they are bound by hospital policies and often need to follow certain protocols. A doula, on the other hand, is not affiliated with the hospital and can solely focus on supporting you and advocating for your needs and preferences. They can provide personalised guidance, emotional support, and help you navigate the hospital environment. A doula can compliment your medical providers perfectly and offer an additional source of support that is dedicated to your well-being and ensuring your birth experience is as positive and empowering as possible

How will hiring you affect my partner’s role during the birth?

Hiring me as your doula will emphasize the importance of your partner's role during the birth. I believe in actively involving partners and empowering them to provide valuable support. Through education, guidance, and collaboration, I ensure your partner feels confident and equipped to assist you physically and emotionally. Together, we create an environment where both you and your partner can actively participate and embrace the transformative experience of birth

Do you support different birthing preferences, such as natural birth, medicated birth, or planned cesarean?

I support a range of birthing preferences, including natural birth, medicated birth, and planned cesarean. I provide non-judgmental support and empower you to make informed decisions based on your unique needs. Whether you choose a natural, medicated, or cesarean birth, I offer emotional support, comfort measures, and guidance tailored to your preferences and circumstances.

What are your interactions with medical staff like?

As a doula, I maintain respectful and collaborative interactions with medical staff. I communicate effectively, advocating for your preferences while respecting their expertise. I provide updates on your progress, share relevant information, and foster a positive atmosphere for a cohesive birth team. My role is to complement and enhance the medical care you receive, ensuring continuous support throughout your birthing experience

Do you perform any physical examinations?

As a doula, I do not perform any physical examinations. My role is primarily focused on providing emotional, informational, and physical support to you and your partner during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. I do not provide medical care or interventions, but rather work alongside medical professionals to ensure you have continuous support and a positive birth experience. If any physical examinations or medical procedures are required, they will be performed by qualified healthcare providers. My role is to provide comfort measures, advocacy, and emotional support throughout the process

What is your availability during labor and how do you handle multiple clients going into labor simultaneously?

I understand the importance of providing dedicated support during labor, and to minimise the risk of overlapping commitments, I limit the number of bookings I accept around your estimated due date. However, in the rare event that two clients go into labor simultaneously, I have established backup doula arrangements. This ensures that if necessary, a trusted and experienced backup doula will attend your birth to provide the continuous support you deserve. Rest assured, I prioritise your needs and will make every effort to ensure you have a knowledgeable and supportive doula by your side throughout your birthing journey

How do you handle unexpected or emergency situations during labor?

In unexpected or emergency situations during labor, it's important to note that as a doula, I am not medically trained. However, I remain calm and composed, acting as a liaison between you, your partner, and the medical staff. I provide non-medical support, facilitate communication, and assist in making informed decisions. If necessary, I would call an ambulance or seek immediate medical assistance based on the situation. My role is to offer emotional support, guidance, and advocacy, working collaboratively with medical professionals to ensure your safety and well-being throughout the process

Can you help me with breastfeeding & newborn care

In supporting breastfeeding and newborn care, I provide education, guidance, and emotional support. I offer information on breastfeeding techniques and positions, and address common concerns however I am not a lactation consultant and will refer for any complications or advice outside my scope as a doula . I also provide guidance on newborn care essentials such as changing, bathing, and soothing techniques and involve partners in the process. My goal is to empower you to establish a positive breastfeeding relationship and confidently care for your newborn