FAQ

Why is continuous support important?

Studies* have shown that in comparison with women receiving no continuous labor support, women with doula role support were an impressive:

39% less likely to have a cesarean birth

35% less likely to have a negative birth experience

15% more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth

​

Across all relevant studies, women with continuous labor support seemed more likely to have had:

• Spontaneous vaginal births (with neither vacuum extraction nor forceps)

• Shorter labors

Women with continuous labor support seemed less likely to have had:

• A negative birth experience

• Any pain medication while giving birth

• Regional pain medication (such as epidural or spinal)

• An instrumental vaginal birth (with vacuum extraction or forceps)

• A cesarean birth

• A low 5-minute Apgar score (rating of the baby’s status shortly after birth)

*https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318258538_Continuous_support_for_women_durin g_childbirth (Research Article)

*https://www.nationalpartnership.org/our-work/health/maternity/continuous-labor-support.html (Breakdown of Findings)

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

Your partner knows you, loves you, and understands you better than I do.  I am not here to replace your birth partner, I am here to join forces and give you the team of support that you need.  I will also support your partner with reassurance and help if needed.

I want my labor to be ______.  Are you going to judge me?

This is your labor.  I am happy to support you in any setting, with any interventions you choose.  If you want to labor in a hospital, birthing center, or home birth...great!  If you want an epidural...great!  If you don't...great!  I will not judge you.  I don't have a preconceived idea about what YOUR labor should be like.  You get to make the calls.  I will be there to provide emotional support, physical comfort, and nonclinical advice.

What are your interactions with medical staff like?

You are the patient, but I am here to support you.  My goal is to be certain that you are an active participant in your birth.  You have a say in every decision that is being made.  I will be there to help you understand the information so you can make decisions for yourself and your baby.  I will not communicate your wishes directly to the doctor, but I will empower you to make your voice and desires heard.

Do you perform any physical examinations?

I am not a medical provider.  Your doctor or midwife will provide physical exams.