Most Asked Doula Questions

by | Sep 27, 2018

 

 

I asked on Instagram what kind of questions you may have about Doulas, and these are some of the most reoccurring questions I got. These are real questions you guys submitted and some that I get asked all the time when I tell people that I’m a doula.

 

“I have a midwife, do I need a doula?”

Having a doula will benefit you no matter who is delivering your baby. A midwife is there to assist you medically. They can be there to help you emotionally (that’s what midwives are known for, being more involved) but they can not stand by your side the whole time like I would. They have responsibility to make sure that you stay alive and healthy.

 

“I am already a mom. Will having a doula still benefit me?”

Yes! Just imagine having another set of hands that actually know what they are doing to help you emotionally, physically and even practically.

 

“My wife is pregnant, what can I expect from the doula services?”

The whole point of hiring a doula is to make sure the parents/partners* have the best experience possible (emphasis on parents/partners). From the moment we meet I will want to know if you have any questions or concerns that I can walk you through. We will go through types of counter pressure that everyone who is in the delivery room will help the mother with during labor. We will make sure the birthing plan is done together with both parents/partners*. During labor and delivery, I will help you help the laboring mother. If the mother likes massages I will help show you the best massage to help with labor pains. I want you to also have the best experience possible, this is your child coming into the world and I want to make sure you have the opportunity to be a part of the experience.

 

“What can you do when it comes to medical stuff?”

I can’t do anything medical. I am educated in things medical but my education is solely to help mothers and their partners have a better understanding so they can have a better experience. The educational knowledge that doctors, nurses, and midwives have is to take action to make sure the mother and the baby are healthy and well.

 

“Do you catch the baby?”

NO! I do not, and will not catch your baby. If there was an emergency and for whatever reason your doctor or midwife is not around I will help walk you through catching your own baby. But I WILL NOT catch your baby for you because of legal reasons.

 

“Will you be in the room with me when I deliver the baby?”

Ultimately that is your choice. I wouldn’t be too helpful from the waiting room though. But typically I will be in the delivery room with you walking you through everything.

 

“Aren’t doulas only for people who want to give birth naturally?”

NO! I want help mothers and their partners have the best labor and birthing experience possible. How they labor or how they deliver the baby does not matter. If a baby came out of you, you gave birth. It doesn’t matter if you’re having a cesarean birth, an epidural or getting induced, I would love to help make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. I can’t speak for every doula out there but this is where I stand on it.

 

“How many times will we meet before I give birth? And will I see you after the baby is born?”

I would like to meet with you at least 2 times before you give birth, that does not include the initial meeting to see if you would like to hire me. Once you hit the 30 week mark we will set up a time to meet to go over your birthing plan and go over your questions. Then we will set another meeting when you are full term (38 weeks) to go over logistics, labor positions and comfort measures. I do like to meet with you after the baby is born at your house. I just want to make sure you and the baby are healthy mentally, physically and emotionally. It’s a big adjustment and I want to make sure you are okay.

 

I hope these answers help you better understand what all doulas can do. I do answer a lot of the same questions over and over again but I honestly love talking about it. I think it is something every woman should have in their delivery room. I believe doulas are super beneficial to a birthing experience. Are there questions you still have about doulas? I would love to help answer them, contact me here or on social media!

 

*Note: When I communicate “partners” I mean birthing partner/s. A birthing partner can be a friend, mother, aunt, boyfriend, husband or life partner.