| Questions to Ask a Doula (and my answers!) |
What training and experience have you had?
I completed the DONA training seminar in January 2005, and attended my first
birth as a doula-in-training a few weeks later, with several more quickly
following. I completed the study requirements and other academic
components and was then DONA-certified in early summer 2005. With the
exception of a yearlong hiatus when my youngest was an infant, I have
worked with birthing families steadily since then. I typically attend one or two
births per month. In 2006-2007, I apprenticed with a licensed midwife as part
of a midwifery training program. I have since left the program (without
completing the program) to focus more fully on doula work and my family.
However, I am very grateful for the many beautiful homebirths I was fortunate
to attend, and for all the training and additional experience I gained through
this opportunity and all the accompanying academic study.
In addition to the dozens of families I have served as a doula or midwifery
student, I have audited a childbirth education series and studied thousands of
pages of pregnancy, birthing, and breastfeeding texts. I make a conscious
effort to stay up-to-date and informed on the latest birth issues and practices,
and am active on several online doula bulletin boards where I gain more
knowledge each and every day. Some of the workshops/trainings/conferences
I have attended post-certification include: Spinning Babies (optimal fetal
positioning for facilitation of birth outcomes), two Association of Texas
Midwives conferences, and a Neonatal Resuscitation course. I have also
participated in training through CAPPA and ALACE.
Do you have one or more backup doulas for times when
you are not available? May we meet her/them?
Yes. Though I will make every attempt to be at each and every birth I
commit myself to (and I take that commitment seriously), I will arrange for my
back-up doula in the case of illness or emergency on my part. She and I are
similar in style and philosophy and complement each other nicely. I am happy
to arrange a meeting so that you will feel comfortable with her and her care,
should the need arise.
What is your fee, what does it include, and what are
your refund policies?
My fee, which includes all my services, is $600 (which falls near the middle of
the scale for a certified doula). I am flexible as to payment options (including
partial barter).
If I, for some failure on my part, were to miss your birth and fail to arrange a
back-up doula's presence, I would 100% refund the full fee (I cannot imagine
this happening). I should point out that birth is unpredictable and some births
are very fast; it's conceivable that I might make every attempt to come but
arrive too late, in which case, I would keep the deposit but not ask for the
rest. On the other hand, if you fail to contact me in a reasonable fashion
(leaving me at least one hour to get to you, like if you let hours of labor pass
without notifying me and then demand that I show up immediately at the last
second), I cannot be responsible for missing the birth, and I will expect the full
fee - I have blocked out my time and possibly declined other potential clients
because of my commitment to you.
Tell me/us about your philosophy about childbirth and
supporting women and their partners through labor.
Birth is normal! I believe that birth is not a medical procedure, but a joyful,
sacred event. For most women, in most situations, "natural" childbirth is the
safest option. And with proper support and education, it can be attainable
(and enjoyable) for most women. I am thankful that technology exists that can
intervene should legitimate complications arise; however, there is risk to every
intervention and routine use (such as with I.V.'s, continuous fetal monitoring,
artificial rupturing of membranes, episiotomy, etc.) has not been shown to
improve birthing outcomes. In fact, there is a domino effect that is known as
the "cascade of intervention", where one thing leads to another, which leads
to another, sometimes resulting even in unnecessary c-sections, birth trauma
to the child, or extended maternal-infant separation. As your doula, I will
encourage you to embrace the marvelous design of your birthing body, the
intricate mechanisms that beautifully bring your baby from inside to "in-arms".
Not to try to escape the pain, but to work with the sensations of your body,
the signals it is sending you. The amazing hormonal dance of labor is not
something to be taken lightly!
So, if you are the type of woman who has been dreaming of her epidural since
the two lines came back pink, I am probably not the doula for you (but I would
be happy to help you find a better match). I am best suited to working with
couples who desire, or at least are open to, a natural birth, and/or are
committed to preparing for it. Of course, once you are in labor, if you make an
informed decision that the benefits of a procedure, including pain relief,
outweigh the risks for your situation, I will support that 100%, even if it means
every intervention in the book. Sometimes unanticipated issues develop in
labor and every women should feel absolutely free to deviate from her “birth
plan” accordingly, without an ounce of guilt for doing so. This is YOUR birth,
and, in the end, the most important thing is that mother and baby are safe and
bonding and that mom was respected and supported and allowed to be an
active participant in the experience.
As for the father, I am not there to replace him, but to complement him. I am
very sensitive to not usurping his role, to allowing him to participate at the
level at which he and mom feel most comfortable. If he is the primary support
person, I will spell him, and support him as he supports Mom, making sure that
his needs are met, too. If he assumes more of a “step-back” role, I will make
sure that he stays as emotionally involved as possible while not having to be
“hands-on”. Dads are usually most thankful for a doula’s presence afterward.
It frees him up to really enjoy this special time, and to connect with his wife -
without trying to remember every single fact he learned in Childbirth class
while simultaneously rubbing mom’s back, wiping her brow, taking pictures,
running interference with family, advocating for her wishes with medical staff,
reminding her to drink and urinate frequently, etc. There is more than enough
work to go around! While I personally feel that the father is an irreplaceable
component of mom’s support team, I also realize that some dads cannot be or
do not even want to be physically present for the birth, and, in that case, a
doula’s care is even more highly beneficial.
May we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you
will play in supporting me/us through childbirth?
Yes, we will meet at least 1-2 times during your last trimester, after we sign
the contract. We will discuss your previous experiences, your goals, your
anxieties, and your priorities for the birth, including the role Dad wants to
assume.
May we call you with questions or concerns before and
after the birth?
Always! Though, if it is not an emergency (in which case, you should contact
your care practitioner first, anyway), I ask that it be between the hours of 8
am and 10pm.
When do you try to join women in labor? Do you come to
our home or meet us at the place of birth?
Either - I ask that you call me as soon as you suspect you are in labor, even if
you don't need me yet. That will allow me to plan my day (or night) and
arrange for my own children's care, cancel appointments, etc. If it turns out to
be a "false alarm", that's ok! I can always talk with you over the phone, help
you decide whether "this is it", and make suggestions for early labor. When
you do decide you need my presence, I will need approximately one hour to
arrive.
Do you meet with me/us after the birth to review the
labor and answer questions?
Yes. We will have a chance to process the entire experience, review aspects
of it that need clarifying, and just generally follow-up with each other and with
the new baby! I can answer questions about newborn care, nursing, mom's
recovery, etc., or refer you to other specialists, as needed. This is also an
opportunity for me to solicit your feedback as to how I can improve my care.
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