Frequently Asked Questions
What is a birth Doula?
A trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
Is Doula support covered under MSP or extended Benefits?
Doulas are not covered by the BC Medical Services Plan. Doulas are hired privately by the family and therefore work only for the client.
Check with your individual benefits provider as many do not cover with limited exceptions. If you have doula support I highly recommend submitting the invoice to your provider as the more they see it come in, the more likely they are to notice the demand and offer it in the future.
How much does doula support cost?
Please see all my offerings from birth doula support package to postpartum services, all costs are detailed.
What is the difference between a Doula & a Midwife?
A doula is a non-medical support person who focuses on caring for you emotionally and physically and helps you to feel informed and empowered. While they often have similar approaches, a midwife differs from a doula in a very large way.
A midwife is a “medical” professional, meaning that the primary focus of their care is on the health and safety of you and your baby.
Both doulas and midwives work with you prenatally, support you throughout the birth and follow up with you postpartum.
Specifically, at birth, Doulas are often found doing hip squeezes, refilling your water bottle, providing guidance and reassurance (to you and your partner), and repeating affirmations that empower you.
At birth, midwives may be found doing similar things to a doula, but their top priorities include: ensuring that you and your baby's vital signs are stable, assessing you and your baby, completing cervical exams when needed, administering medication if necessary, and catching the baby you are birthing.
Do Doulas only support home births?
I support all births (i.e. hospital births, home births, cesarean births, physiologic births, and medicated/epidural births) and work alongside doctors and midwives.
Every Doula is different & I would encourage you to ask every Doula this question.
I am not a Birth Keeper, meaning I don’t attend births with no medical attendants, due to liability purposes.
How does a birth Doula work together with my partner?
I see you. I am in no form here to replace you, you can consider me as your birth wingman.
I know birth, they know you - together as a team we are then able to provide the best support possible. I want to help ensure you can be as fully present for the birth of your new baby as possible, whether that looks like showing you some nifty pain management massage tips, taking some photos while you slow dance with your birthing person, or staying with them while you rest to avoid burnout.
Doulas also help partners by doing a lot of the small tasks (Getting water, reheating the magic bag, getting snacks, etc) so you don’t have to feel like you have to miss anything.
What happens if I book birth Doula services but I end up having a scheduled caesarean birth?
I require a 50% nonrefundable deposit upon booking your services & I only take on a small number of clients per month due to the unpredictable nature of birth work. This deposit covers prenatal visits, administrative fees, travel, and loss of other opportunities. The remaining 50% will be transferred as a postpartum credit.
If you do not wish to have the postpartum credit & I am notified prior to 34 weeks gestation, I will not invoice for the remaining 50%. If not notified prior to 34 weeks all fees remain the same.