A birth doula is a person trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and evidence-based informational support to the family before, during and just after childbirth. Doulas are not medical professionals. They do not deliver babies or perform any medical advice or care.

A postpartum doula is someone specially trained to help new parents and families adjust to life with a newborn in the postpartum period following birth. They can help with practical things around the house like meal prep, light cleaning, baby laundry, bottle and pump parts washing/sanitizing, etc. They also can provide direct support with the baby through things like baby wearing, bottle feeding, diapering, etc. Postpartum doulas also offer emotional support for mama and help to build up a family’s confidence while learning to care for their new little one. They can also offer evidence-based information for general newborn care, feeding, etc.

There is no 'right' or 'wrong' time to hire a doula. For a first-time mom or someone who desires extra guidance and support, they might want to hire someone earlier on in their pregnancy who can help support them along the way and can help answer all of their questions. For a more experienced mom who really just wants support during labor, it might be ok to wait until later in the third trimester to hire someone. It really just comes down to when YOU feel the most comfortable. You could hire someone as soon as you see those two lines, or even weeks before giving birth.

Taking a childbirth class is just one of the many ways that expectant parents prepare for the birth of their new baby- but it truly is such an important one. Taking an evidence-based childbirth class, like the ‘Preparing for Birth’ course that we offer, will help you adequately prepare for certain aspects of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Childbirth education can help offer new parents knowledge, confidence, and preparedness. Our class ‘Preparing for Birth’ provides comprehensive and evidence-based information about the stages of labor, coping mechanisms, delivery, various medical interventions, c-sections, postpartum recovery, etc. It also includes a course ‘Prepared Feeding’ written by an IBCLC that covers everything to do with infant feeding- from the basics of breastfeeding, different feeding positions, how to get a good latch, troubleshooting common problems, bottle feeding, etc. Ultimately, childbirth education classes empower new parents to approach birth with confidence, ensuring a positive and informed birth experience from start to finish.

Doulas can be an extraordinary addition to anyone’s birth team, even if you are birthing at a hospital and planning for an epidural. Doulas can provide valuable emotional support, such as reassuring both parents before and during birth and helping to foster a calm, peaceful environment in the labor and delivery space. Mamas with epidurals will most likely still experience discomfort in labor and doulas can provide physical comfort through things like massage, counterpressure, hot/cold relief, aromatherapy, etc. They can also help ensure labor continues to move smoothly with things like frequent position changes and using different tools like the peanut ball while in the hospital bed. Doulas can also be crucial for hospital births to serve as a ‘translator’ of sorts for the common medical jargon that not all parents understand or know to ask questions about. They can also help advocate for the family to ensure their voices are being heard concerning different preferences surrounding interventions, pain management, etc.

A birth doula provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth. During labor, a doula assists by offering comfort measures such as massage, breathing techniques, and positioning suggestions to help manage pain and progress labor. They help create a calming environment through things like lighting, aromatherapy, music, etc. They can help advocate for the parents' preferences and help to facilitate communication between the parents and the medical providers. The presence of a doula can help to reduce anxiety, increase confidence, and contribute to a more positive birth experience. 

Doulas will work collaboratively with partners during birth to enhance the support system for the birthing person. They provide guidance and reassurance to partners, empowering them to participate in the birth process in ways that are comfortable for them. Doulas can suggest effective comfort measures, positions, and breathing techniques, enabling partners to be actively involved. They can also offer breaks and practical support, ensuring partners are not overwhelmed. By fostering communication and understanding, doulas help partners feel confident and connected, creating a cohesive and supportive environment for the mother.