Frequently Asked Questions?
1. How much does a Doula Cost?
Doulas range from $500- 1000 depending on experience. Some doulas have been doing this for years and have many births and some are just getting started.
2. Are Doula fees covered by Alberta medical?
No Doula fees are not covered by medical, however many companies have personal private health spending accounts and Doulas are recognized as a profession. If you have your own company there are ways to write off Doula fees.
3. When should I get a doula?
When you find out you are pregnant you can call a doula. Most doulas only take 1-4 pregnant women each month to ensure that they are able to provide the personalized care that each woman deserves. The sooner you find the right doula for you the better. However, if you are further along in your pregnancy and are now considering doula please contact me as there is always a possibility that I will be able to take you as a client or find a doula that is able to meet your needs.
4. What is the difference between a midwife and a doula?
Midwives and doulas have different but also overlapping roles. Some women choose to have both a midwife and a doula at their birth. You can also consider having a doula at your birth if your caregiver is a family doctor or obstetrician.
"A doula who accompanies a woman in labor mothers the mother, taking care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth. A doula also provides support and suggestions for partners that can enhance their experiences of birth. Doulas do not provide any kind of medical care. For instance, they would not listen to the baby's heart beat or do a vaginal exam or deliver the baby. Doula care has been shown to improve outcomes significantly for both moms and babies in many studies.
A midwife provides prenatal care, delivery of the baby and care of the mother post-partum and newborn care. The midwife is responsible for the safety of mother and baby. Some kinds of midwives also provide family planning, annual exams, and other kinds of well-woman gynecology.
5. Do I need a doula even if my husband/partner is supporting me during labor?
Giving birth to a child is an amazing experience and as doulas we encourage partners to get involved and support their loved one. Giving birth can also be a stressful, tiring and confusing event. A doula brings with her much experience and understanding of the birth process. She can offer many suggestions, help explain what is going on and help a labouring woman cope with her contractions and keep her labor progressing. The presence of a doula at your birth allows partners to participate at a level that they are comfortable.
6. Don't the nurses take care of me once I get to the hospital?
A doula gets to know you on a personal level before the birth takes place, she will spend time with you and share her knowledge of pregnancy and birth. She will also listen to your wishes and preferences for your own birth. A doula is on call anytime day or night and will come to your house once labour starts. A doula will offer suggestions for changing positions and many comfort measures to help labour progess. Nurses are wonderful however, in the hospital they have to continually monitor and record notes of how labour is progressing which means they can not continually help you through every contraction. As a doula I respect the role of the nurse and work with them to make your labour the best possible experience for you.
7. When do you try to join women in labor? Do you come to our home or do you meet us at the place of birth?
I join the woman as soon as she feels she needs doula support, whether it is at home or at the hospital. I will not leave a mother without doula support once active labor has begun.
