Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Doula?- The word "doula" is an ancient Greek word which means "woman's servant." There are two kinds of doulas - Birth Doulas and Postpartum Doulas.
What is a Birth Doula?
- Birth Doulas are professionally trained in labor support, experienced in childbirth and offer physical comfort, emotional support, encouragement and wisdom before, throughout, and after birth. Women have complex needs during childbirth. Women benefit from a Birth Doula's continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement, and respect.
What are the benefits of having a Birth Doula?
- Numerous clinical studies reveal that when a Birth Doula is present during and after childbirth, women:
- Enjoy greater satisfaction with their birth experience
- Have shorter labors with fewer complications and less need for medical interventions to augment labor or assist delivery
- Are less likely to request pain medication in labor
- Have fewer Cesarean births
- Reduce their risk of postpartum depression
- Breastfeed more easily
- Have shorter hospital stays and fewer admissions to special care nurseries
- Have an easier time bonding with their mothers
What is a Postpartum Doula? What are the benefits of having a Postpartum Doula?
- Postpartum doulas provide a variety of services designed to ease the transition to new parenthood. These include infant soothing, breastfeeding advice, and other newborn care. Additionally, postpartum doulas assist new parents as they emotionally and physically recover from birth. Research has also shown that postpartum doulas can raise parental satisfaction through evidence-based education. Many postpartum doulas also provide basic help around the home, including helping with older siblings, running errands, and doing light housework.
What types of births do Birth Assistants of Boulder Birth Doulas attend?
- Birth Assistants of Boulder doulas attend all types of births. There is a sometimes a
misconception that Birth Doulas only attend natural childbirths, but that is not the case. We attend:
- Vaginal births with and without medication and medical intervention
- Water births
- Births of multiples (twins, etc.)
- Vaginal Birth After Cesareans (VBACs)
- Planned and unplanned Cesarean births
- High risk births
Who do Birth Assistants of Boulder Birth Doulas serve?
- We work with mothers and families of diverse backgrounds including:
- Couples (heterosexual and same sex)
- Single moms
- Families adopting or relinquishing their babies
- Families with premature or medically fragile babies
- Families experiencing loss
How do I meet a Birth Assistants of Boulder Doula?
- We recommend that you visit the Meet Us page. Then please feel
free to contact one or many of us regarding our availability. In your initial phone call or email, please tell us:
- Your due date
- Where you plan to birth
- Your prenatal care provider
- Your specific interest in having a Birth Doula
- Anything else you would like to share
What kind of support does a Birth Assistant of Boulder Birth Doula offer during my birth?
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Every birth is unique! At your birth, your Birth Doula anticipates and responds to you and your partner's changing needs through the course of labor
and birth. Your Birth Doula provides suggestions, guidance, and assistance in integrating a unique blend of comfort measures focused on your physical and emotional well-being. These can include, but are not limited to:
- Helping create a positive, caring environment
- Providing verbal encouragement
- Suggesting and assisting with positions that support labor progress, conserve energy, and optimize baby's position
- Recommending relaxation/pain reduction techniques
- Assisting with a variety of physical comfort measures, including: breathing, guided imagery, music, touch and massage, acupressure, labor TENS unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), hydrotherapy (jacuzzi bath and shower), warm and cold compresses, aromatherapy
- Ensuring that you are your partner are well nourished and hydrated
- Facilitating communication amongst the laboring woman, partner, family members, and medical staff
What are your Birth Doula fees?
- Birth Assistants of Boulder Birth Doulas charge $800-$900. Please Contact Us individually for more information.
How does a Birth Doula work with my partner and family members at the birth?
- Birth Assistants of Boulder Birth Doulas provide partners and family members with helpful ideas and information on how to be involved in the birth, and encourage them to participate in the birth in a meaningful way.
Does a Birth Assistants of Boulder Birth Doula make medical decisions for me?
- No. Birth Assistants of Boulder Birth Doulas can assist you in getting the information you need to make informed decisions before, during, and after birth. We help facilitate communication between you, your partner, and your medical care providers and support you in making decisions that are best for you and your family.
Does a Birth Assistants of Boulder Birth Doula provide medical care for me or my baby?
- No. Birth Assistants of Boulder Birth Doulas focus on the physical comfort and emotional well-being of the mother and her partner - we do not replace the medical care of physicians, midwives, nurses, or other medical staff. We do not perform medical assessments such as blood pressure, temperature, pelvic examinations, fetal heart rate, or postpartum medical care.
What is a back up doula and how does that work?
- Birth Assistants of Boulder back up doulas provide additional support to you and your Birth Doula when needed.
What are the fees for the Other Complementary Services?
- Please Contact Us individually for more information.