Frequently Asked Questions
How will hiring you affect my partner’s role during the birth?
A doula's role is to support both the mother and their partner during labor and birth, and can help partners feel confident and calm. Doulas can help partners in many ways, including:
Translating:
Helping partners understand what care providers are saying in plain language
Normalizing:
Validating and explaining what's happening during labor to help partners understand what to expect next
Teaching:
Demonstrating physical comfort measures that partners can offer the birthing person
Modeling:
Sharing words, phrases, or physical supports throughout the experience
Communicating:
Helping partners diffuse tension and foster communication
Providing breaks:
Encouraging fathers to use comfort techniques and stepping in if they need a break
Supporting emotionally:
Allowing fathers to support their partner emotionally during labor and birth without the added pressure of trying to remember everything they learned in childbirth class
Do you perform any physical examinations?
No I do not perform any physical examinations. I offer emotional, practical, and physical support, but I don't provide medical care.
What are your interactions with medical staff like?
I work along side medical staff. I do not take their place. I relay your wishes to medical staff and also help you make informed decisions about their suggestions. But ultimately I work for you and supporting you is my main goal!
How do you support me if I plan on having an epidural?
There are many tools available to a laboring mom and the epidural is one of them. I support all birthing options and make sure you have all the information you need to decide what feels right to you at that time. Before an epidural there are sensations that require focus to work through. I would help to keep you comfortable with providing comfort measures such as breathing, positions, massage and other tools until an epidural is available to you. An epidural reduces sensations in labor, but not fully. Your doula will be there to aid in your comfort and help keep you as calm as possible throughout your entire birthing process, as well as helping you advocate for yourself.
How is your support different than 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. I am 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. Many parents feel like the support that they receive from their Doula allows them to few more confident and better communicate their needs to their family.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more about my services.
Macon, MO 63552
(660) 833-6700
