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I've lived in the Northern Virginia area for the majority of my life. I have more than 4 years of experience as a doula and received my certification through DONA.
I am a mom of 6 kids to which I have had difficult pregnancies. All preterm births except for one born 15 minutes into the 37th week. I have started my business, my mission!, to help moms & dads have the best birth experience possible.
Conception through birth is one of life's greatest miracles, and helping women have a memorable experience is important to me.
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Many people have questions regarding
what are doula services, and the benefits they provide.
Hopefully the information listed on this page will answer most of
your questions. If not, please feel free to contact me
directly. One of the most frequently asked
questions is regarding back-up doula services. Yes, I make
arragements to provide professional labor doula back-ups if the
need ever arises.
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1. |
Q: How is a doula different
from a midwife? |
A:
Midwives and doulas often work together as a team, but both their
training and focus is different. A midwife is a medically trained
professional that provides pre-natal care as well as delivering the
baby. During labor and delivery, a midwife will tend to the woman's
medical needs while a doula can help support her physically and
emotionally. After delivery, a midwife will focus on the
health of the baby, and the post-delivery care of the woman while a
doula can help with bonding and initiating breastfeeding. It is not
necessary to be seeing a midwife for your pre-natal care in order
to have a doula.
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Q: Will a doula take the place
of my husband or partner?
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A:
Absolutely not! A doula is not there to replace a woman's partner
but rather to enhance his/her support. On the simplest level, a
doula can be an extra pair of hands; for example, getting ice chips
while the partner massages during a contraction. A doula knows
various methods of physical comfort as well as being a reassuring
presence about the normalcy of the birthing process. Additionally,
a doula can provide unbiased information. Essentially, a doula is
there to fill in any gaps that may exist and will be as involved as
the mother and her partner desire.
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Q: I am not sure I want an
un-medicated birth, can a doula still help me?
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A: Of course! Having a doula does not mean
you have to have an un-medicated (sometimes also called a
"natural") birth. Doulas provide comfort and encouragement
during all types of births, including cesareans. Some women choose
not to take pain medication until labor has progressed to a certain
point, and a doula can help a woman stay comfortable until she is
ready for the drugs. Epidurals are a very popular form of pain
relief, and a doula can help a woman maximize the benefits of an
epidural while minimizing the risks. At the same time, doulas know
how to support a woman who chooses to have a completely
un-medicated birth. A doula will work with you and respect your
preference for pain medication. |
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Q: Will the doula
come to my home in labor? |
A: It depends on alot of things-where you live, where you are in your labor and any medical concerns you may have. But, we like to come to you where you need us when you need us. Situations like if you are not on the opposite side of town from the hospital (waiting for your doula and then both of you backtracking to the hospital could take a significant amount of time). If that is the case, your doula can meet you somewhere in the middle. We've met moms at malls or at the hospital without checking in and walked together while laboring! |
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