Frequently asked questions
Why would I want a doula as well as a midwife/obstetrician?
Doulas are not clinical. We do not deliver babies, provide antenatal checks, perform scans, tests or undertake any medical procedures. We are a powerful, evidence-based tool for emotional and practical support, primarily for the mother, but also for the partner and wider whānau. For example, we often help set up the birth space, guide and support you with your chosen pain management tools and techniques, make suggestions for comfort or distraction methods, keep birth pools warm, make sure everyone present is adequately fed and watered, help mums get washed and dressed after birth, stay with mums if their partner is with their baby in another part of the hospital, the list is extensive!
We can also act as an additional, impartial source of evidence-based information and signposting about anything to do with your care. We can be an advocate in the birth environment, leaving you the space to fully concentrate on birthing your baby. Our continuous presence throughout birth has been shown to improve outcomes. Midwives will often only be with you during 'active labour', whereas your doula will be there from the moment you want them to be.
I have worked very successfully alongside midwives and obstetricians who are often really grateful to have someone who 'knows' the family well, their wishes and experiences, and can be with them 1-2-1 for the duration of the birth. Especially in the hospital environment when there can be multiple demands on medical professionals' time.
Why would I want a doula as well as my birth partner/mum/other support person during birth?
It can be incredibly comforting to the birthing mother as well as their partner and/or other support people to have someone impartial and experienced to talk through what's happening during birth. Especially as things can often change quickly! Doulas often bring the 'calm' into a birth space, when things get tough or if labour is long or the mother and her support crew are tiring.
A doula is there to support the whole family, with the birthing mother at the centre, which means taking a 'big picture' view of what might help in ay given scenario. Doula's bring none of their own experiences into the birth space nor do they have any expectations or preferences for what the birthing mother and her family needs. They will advocate for what the birthing family are hoping for in their birth experience, with no agenda.
Aren’t doulas just for home births?
Not at all. Doulas can offer support and care for birth wherever it happens. It is my commitment to you to be with you, wherever you chose to be.
Doulas are often not allowed into theatre during caesarean sections, but we can offer care in all birth contexts whether that means waiting for you outside of a theatre, or spending time with you during an induction.
I have a lot of experience in Wellington hospitals, where it's not always possible for a midwife to be with you at all times. Or you might not know which midwife will be with you. I build rapport with midwives - and obstetricians - very quickly, and know and understand my boundaries. In every case (so far!) they are also grateful for extra support in the room!
For full transparency, I absolutely love homebirth - I have experience supporting at them and had one myself. I love helping people come to the decision about where is right for them to birth their baby, and I will gladly signpost to evidence supporting homebirth.
How much does doula support cost and how is the relationship managed?
I aim to be as transparent as possible about costs, with indications given on my service pages. Every family and every situation will be sightly different and depends on the support required (e.g. birth and postnatal, just postnatal, postnatal plus infant massage) and factors like where you live e.g. if there will be long travel to get to you from my home in Kapiti.
We will always agree the whole cost before booking though, so nothing is 'hidden' once our agreement begins.
I also meet with all potential client families before booking, to understand what you are looking for and make sure I am the right person to support you. Once we have met, I will draw up a contract that outlines our agreement and then I will take a deposit. The balance of payment is made when I go on call at 37 weeks (for birth and postnatal support) or in instalments (for postnatal support).
Why would I need a doula as well as my partner or family after the birth?
Cliché as it might sound, it really does take a village to raise a child. And some people - for a variety of reasons - don’t have a big village, great villagers or perhaps any village at all.
It can be really reassuring to have someone impartial and experienced to support and guide you through the immediate postpartum phase. Not only that, partners and any other close supporters who have helped the mother through birth are also likely to be exhausted and a doula can provide a level of support that means everyone can get their energy back.
There are practical things like making meals, putting washing on and vacuuming that give the family time to bond and care for their newborn. Depending on who is nearby to help, a doula might look after the baby so that the new parents can have a nap, a shower or do some exercise. Doulas also help with looking after older children - perhaps helping with the bedtime routine or picking up from childcare or school - to ease everyone into the routine with a new baby.
And there is a deeply important emotional support role for the doula after birth , which gives the new mother/parents the time and space to fully process what they've been through and are going through. With no time limits or agenda. This is when people are often at their most vulnerable, and a doula will be a safe, empathetic and congruent companion, perhaps signposting to local services that might help with specific questions or challenges.
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