WHAT IS A FULL SPECTRUM DOULA?
A full spectrum doula is a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support across the full spectrum of reproductive experiences and outcomes. We provide support for any situation, expected or otherwise. This includes, but not limited to; fertility, birth, feeding (breast/chest/bottle), miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth, abdominal birth, surrogacy, adoption, and parenthood. This approach holds space for those who have had past traumatic experiences regarding sexual and reproductive health, and the ways in which they may carry those experiences with them in different ways. A full spectrum doula believes that their work is not just in childbirth, anywhere your reproductive journey takes you.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERNCE BETWEEN A DOULA AND A MIDWIFE?
Midwives are primary caregivers who make clinical decisions and give medical advice. Doulas are neither medically trained nor responsible for the medical well-being of mothers or babies. They are not the primary caregivers for their clients. They will meet with you prenatally to discuss your birth plans, and talk about the benefits and risks of common hospital procedures and interventions used during childbirth and provide other information so that you can make better decisions about your care.
CAN I BENEFIT FROM A DOULA IF I AM CONSIDERING A PAIN MEDICATION?
Yes. A doula is beneficial assisting with all births, including a medicated birth. Some expectant parents prefer no pain medications; others want to begin with no medications and reserve the right to change that decision, while others choose a planned medicated birth. A doula offers information on all procedures, including pain medications, potential side effects, and interventions. Your doula will discuss options with you and your partner, and facilitate a dialogue between you, your partner, and hospital staff. The choice to use pain medication or not is completely up to you.
HOW DOES A DOULA INTERACT WITH MY PARTNER AND FAMILY DURING BIRTH?
Partners and doulas make an awesome team. The role of the partner is elevated when a doula is involved. Studies show that partners most commonly report a higher satisfaction in birth when a doula is present. Your partner and family bring a loving, emotional connection and an intimate knowledge, while your doula provides knowledge, resources, and physical support. Everyone together creates a team, your team.
IF I HAVE AN CESAREAN BIRTH, COULD I STILL GET SUPPORT FROM A DOULA?
Yes. Even in a surgical setting, a doula is there to explain what is happening, guide you through the procedure, and even create personalized birth plan. Your doula will also there during recovery to help with the first breastfeeding and bonding. There’s a possibility that your doula may accompany you into the operating room, unless it is an extreme emergency requiring general anesthesia.
HOW IS A POSTPARTUM DOULA DIFFERENT THAN A NIGHT NANNY OR NIGHT NURSE?
One of the biggest differences between a Night Nurse and a Postpartum Doula is that the focus with a night nurse is to take care of the baby whereas the focus with a Postpartum Doula is to take care of the family. We are also focused on showing you many tricks and tools that you can use when your Doula is not with you. We are the on the job trainers for this journey of parenthood. Our job is to build your confidence to a point where we have worked ourselves out of the job.
HOW DOES THE DOULA SUPPORT ME OVERNIGHT IF I AM BREASTFEEDING?
Your Doula will sleep in the same area as your baby and come to get you when baby wakes up. During feedings your Doula can answer your feeding questions and help to make each session efficient. She will also grab you a drink and snack, burp and change baby and then soothe baby back to sleep. This allows you to go straight back to sleep and maximize the time in between feedings to get quality rest.
HOW IS DOULA SUPPORT DIFFERENT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS?
Family and friends are an amazing support after you have had a baby. The challenge is that many of them do not have the same experience or unbiased support that a Doula can provide. Your Doula is your guide to find “your” way through this journey. Friends and family tend to share many of their opinions and may feel that the way they did things are the right way. One of the biggest things we hear from our clients is that the support that they received from their Doulas allowed them to better communicate their needs to their family and found them a lot more helpful as a result.
WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM HOURS WE NEED TO USE FOR A POSTPARTUM SHIFT?
During daytime hours of 8 AM-8 PM, we provide a minimum shift of 4 hours. Overnight shifts are a minimum of 8 hours and tend to be from 10pm-6am or 11pm-7am. Many of our clients prefer longer support shifts, as there is no maximum restrictions, we can create a timing that works best for your family.
HOW DO I SCHEDULE MY POSTPARTUM HOURS?
Scheduling your postpartum hours with our team is so easy. Simply send an email to support@wombofcreation.net and let us know what you would like to schedule for the week. We then get in touch with our team and then confirm those hours with you.
WILL MY HEALTH INSURANCE PAY OR REIMBURSE DOULA SERVICES?
Doula services are usually not covered by insurance. However, some insurance companies will reimburse for doula services as ‘out of network’ care services. Additionally, FSA or HSA may reimburse for doula services.
HOLISTIC WELLNESS CONSULTATIONS
WHERE WILL CONSULTATIONS TAKE PLACE?
Doula services – Depending on the package booked, prenatal consultations will take place in our office, the comfort of your own home, a safe and private space, online via email, or video call.
Holistic Wellness – Consultations will take place in our office, the comfort of your home, or in a safe and private space.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
The needs of each person are different so the number of sessions required will depend on what each person is hoping to accomplish. For doula services you may just want the one phone call session to go over a few questions or perhaps for womb consultations your issues may be a little complex, so several sessions are needed. It all depends on what you require and together we can figure out how many sessions are most suitable.
DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING TO THE WOMB WELLNESS CONSULTATIONS?
Nope, but if you find it helpful, you can bring a notepad and pen to take notes with during the session.
HOW WILL I RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION BEFORE OR AFTER THE CONSULTATION?
Once you have confirmed your consultation – you can contact me at any time with any questions you have. I will also provide you with information that you require depending on services booked.
