Question 1

What is a doula?

Accepted Answer

While the Greek word technically translates as “woman’s servant,” the role of the doula runs far deeper than that. Doula’s are at once advocates, witnesses, bodyworkers, crisis managers, counselors, and mediators. We are there to hold a calm container, support the birthing partner and practitioners, and to above all, mother the mother through the birth experience.

Question 2

How do I know if I need one?

Accepted Answer

Just because you will have a birth partner or family members present in the birth room does not mean you won’t benefit from having a doula. Many partners are more involved in the process when they have a doula there to guide them on how to best provide support, as it can be difficult for partners and even family and friends to know how to help us during this time. Even if one prepares by way of books and classes does not mean they will retain the information once they experience the possibly intense emotions involved at a birth.  It can also be easier for mothers to heed the advice and instructions of a more impartial third party than to that of a partner or family member. With that said, as a doula I work to allow your birth partner to be your primary support person if preferred so that you can share the experience as much as possible.

Question 3

What if I can’t afford one?

Accepted Answer

I believe that a doula should be available to anyone who wants one. As such, my rates are competitive but also offered on a sliding scale. I also offer remote birth support by way of phone and video calling or alternatively, partner coaching sessions to provide your birth partner the tools to best support your birth. If you are struggling to choose between a birth doula or postpartum doula, please see my Resource page for special access and accommodations.

Question 4

Why did you become a birth doula?

Accepted Answer

I feel my unique life purpose is to alleviate human suffering through connection, advocacy, and meaning-making. As such, I find my calling of doula work incredibly fulfilling. I am also dedicated to the cause of integrating the advances of modern medicine with the traditional and sacred, particularly as it relates to the sovereignty of women's bodies and their reproductive rights.  I value sharing the knowledge, wisdom, and experience I have accrued over the years with women during a point in their lives wherein they are particularly vulnerable.

Question 5

What is your approach?

Accepted Answer

While birth pain is a given, suffering shouldn’t be. I think two of the biggest contributors to suffering during birth is when the mother begins to feel hopeless, alone, or both. I am there to prevent both of those experiences by providing information (not opinions), staying in constant loving communication and hands-on contact, and with my unconditional focus, presence, and attention. This is my soft power--by building trusting relationships that invite cooperation in pursuit of a common goal, we are able to navigate uncertainty, conflict, and unforeseen complications while maintaining harmony and alignment. Emphasizing the role and participation of other birthing partners present is as important to me as sustaining the well-being of the mother.

Question 6

Do I need a birth plan?

Accepted Answer

Educating yourself on an optimal birth is like educating yourself on an ideal relationship—it won’t hurt and can certainly be helpful, but only if you can stay focused on your appreciation for what is and where you are, not where you wish you were instead. The purpose of a birth plan is preparation and education to help you develop preferences. Putting these in writing will help me and your practitioners carry out as much of them as possible. But it is also important to know that not one birth is ever identical to another and there is no such thing as a perfect birth. To try to perfect a birth is like trying to perfect nature--it can't be done because by its nature it already is, in all of its messy and chaotic glory. We are then left to meet each moment exactly where it is, which is exactly where you should be because it is where you are.

Question 7

What if I want an epidural?

Accepted Answer

There are many tools available to a laboring mom and the epidural is one of them. I support all birthing options and make sure you have all the information you need to decide what feels right to you in advance of your delivery, or during. Regardless, before your epidural is administered, there are sensations that require focus to work through. I provide comfort measures such as breathing guidance, positions, massage, and counter-pressure until an epidural is available to you. An epidural reduces some sensations in labor but not always all, nor does it mitigate all unforeseen circumstances that a doula can help mediate.

Question 8

How does a doula support a planned cesarean section?

Accepted Answer

Some people believe that you only hire a birth doula if you are having a vaginal birth. The reality is that babies are born in many different ways and there is no right or wrong way to go through this process. In the event of a scheduled cesarean section I help you plan for the birth by knowing your options and what to do if you go into spontaneous labor before your scheduled date. I am there the day of the c-section to make sure things run smoothly and help with bonding and baby’s first feed after delivery. I will be available when you get home from the hospital to help you understand what to expect with your recovery as well as learning about taking care of your baby.

Question 9

When do you go on-call?

Accepted Answer

I will be on-call to you in the first 3 weeks leading up to your birth, never more than 30 minutes out of reach. I am available to you by phone, text, and email at the point in which we sign on to work together.

Question 10

Are there other services you provide?

Accepted Answer

I offer zoom and in-person Partner Coaching sessions for folks who feel confident in their birthing partner's ability to provide this support with some pre-directed education and guidance. My curriculum for this is supplemented by The Bradley Method which places emphasis on birth partner centered support.

I also offer remote support to clients who are confident "going it on their own" but want me as on-call support, should they feel the need to make the [video or phone] call.

Additionally, I am an illustrator, painter, and sculptor who is not only happy to take commissions for client and non-client families alike, but also see my renderings of mothers-to-be and their families as a phenomenal way to emotionally connect prior to your delivery. Please see the Art Portfolio section of my website for some examples of my work.

Question 11

Do you speak any other languages?

Accepted Answer

I continually work to build my Spanish speaking proficiency, with particular focus on improving my birth specific vocabulary in order to extend my service to Spanish speaking communities.

Question 12

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

I serve South, East, and Central King County of the Puget Sound region of Western Washington. I currently reside in Seattle.

Question 13

Once I’m your client, how and when do you prefer to be contacted?

Accepted Answer

The best way to reach me is by email, phone, and text. In terms of response times, I will respond to emails within 24 hours (I will have an auto-reply set should I be attending a birth); and by phone and text within 1-2 hours. If I am at a birth and you call or text, a text based auto-reply will be sent with instructions directing you to my backup in the case of an emergency. My preferred phone/text contact hours are from 8AM to 8PM (emergencies or during on-call status exempt).

Question 14

What happens if you don't make it to my birth in time?

Accepted Answer

In the rare case of a rapid delivery (baby is born less than one hour after you call me and ask me to come) and I can’t make it to you in time, you will be refunded 25% of my birth fee. Should my backup doula need to attend your birth due to illness or emergency, you will be refunded 15% of my birth fee.  The reason you are not refunded in full is for coverage of your prenatal appointments and for my on-call coverage. Your post-natal appointment will remain intact under both scenarios.

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