Birth Doula Services FAQ

What's the difference between Doulas and Midwives? Do doulas deliver babies?

Doulas are birth professionals that can work alongside midwives and doctors alike. In hospitals, birth centers and homes, we do our work “from the hips up”, that is to say doulas are here for your mental, emotional, and physical support focusing only on the immediate needs of the birthing person and their chosen partner to aid in the labor process and postpartum.

What kind of births do you support? Do you only support natural births?

All births are natural!

Really, birth is a natural occurrence so we support any and every type of birth and birthing body. No matter if you want-no drugs or all the drugs, we will be there cheering you on and celebrating your choices.

“I do not care what kind of birth you have… a home birth, scheduled cesarean, epidural hospital birth, or if you birth alone in the woods next to a baby deer. I care that you are supported in your choices, and that you were respected”

- January Harshe, Birth Without Fear

Do doulas have any breastfeeding or lactation training?

Yes we do! Doulas receive lactation training and can assist in coaching, feeding positions, developing a good latch, nutritional information, using a pump and how to navigate a feeding schedule. Our training is focused on the immediate postpartum and setting up good feeding habits early, we also have a great reference list for lactation consultants if you would like extended assistance.

Should I hire a doula?

Having a doula on your labor team can mean:

fewer medical interventions during labor (less likely to have any pain medication, continuous electronic fetal monitoring, epidurals, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans)
increased release of natural oxytocin
more attention or hands on support than is reasonable for one partner or labor nurse to provide over an extended period of time
shorter labor, by about 40 minutes!
*Research from Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017

Should I have a doula if I have a partner?

We could never replace the connection between you and your partner.

Doulas do more than assist the birthing person through labor, we support the partner through encouragement and by helping them to feel they have all the tools, knowledge and strength to support you through the process and to take as active a role they feel comfortable with.

Your doula and partner will work together to form a birth team, wholly invested in making you comfortable and getting baby Earthside.