What are some benefits of having a doula?
Can a doula be useful even if I’ve taken a childbirth class?
Does a doula replace the dad or partner at the birth?
Won’t my labor & delivery nurse support me during labor?
Are doulas covered by insurance?
What is a doula?
The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
What are some benefits of having a doula?
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. Having a doula present can provide comforting reassurance, with emotional, physical, and informational support available to both the birthing mom as well as the people she chooses to have with her at the birth.
Can a doula be useful even if I’ve taken a childbirth class?
Yes! Many of my clients have taken childbirth classes like Bradley, Hypnobirthing, Hypnobabies, Lamaze, Intuitive Birth, or other independent or hospital childbirth classes. Being educated is awesome, but often in labor it can be hard to remember or put into practice what you learned. Having a doula who knows your preferences and techniques can be a huge reassurance and help 
Does a doula replace the dad or partner at the birth?
Definitely not! “With a doula, a father can share in the birth at level at which he feels most comfortable. The doula’s skills and knowledge can help him to feel more relaxed. If the father wants to provide physical comfort, such as back massage and change of positions, and help his partner to stay focused during contractions, the doula can provide that guidance and make suggestions for what may work best.” Read more about Dads and Doulas by clicking here.
Won’t my labor & delivery nurse support me during labor?
L&D nurses are often assigned to multiple patients at once, so they cannot provide one-on-one care to you during your labor. Also, they may not be skilled at supporting a mom who desires a natural childbirth, as the majority of women birthing in hospitals get an epidural during labor.
Are doulas covered by insurance?
It depends. Some insurance companies will reimburse for doula services if the doula has an NPI number (I do). Sadly most companies will not. However if you have a Flex Spending Agreement (FSA) and your claim for doula services is rejected by your insurance company, many times it will be eligible for reimbursement under the FSA. It is the client’s responsibility to check with their insurance provider and/or FSA provider to determine if these services are covered.
