Frequently Asked Questions

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A birth doula is someone who partners with and eases the way for expectant mothers and families during pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum by advocating for the mother’s wishes, fostering a peaceful birthing environment and providing emotional, physical and evidence based support.

Numerous studies have shown the overall outcome of having a Birth Doula significantly impacts birth statistics and overall birthing experience in a positive way. American Pregnancy Association has noted that having a Doula as a member of the birth team cuts the rate of having a cesarean section in half, shortens labor by 25%, decreased the use of oxytocin by 40% and the use of an epidural by 60%. 

A Doula can most definitely be helpful no matter how many times you’ve had a baby. You may have experience with labor and birth, but you’re not familiar with THIS labor and birth. A doula is equipped to support you through all kinds of labor and birth that you may not have expected or experienced in the past. Plus, a doula can help assist in making a laboring and birthing environment more peaceful and who doesn’t want a more peaceful birth? And lastly, partners benefit from having a doula there too. A doula can help facilitate things and be an extra physical and emotional support which will allow your partner to be more present in the ways you need them and can help share the responsibility of needed support.

Absolutely! The presence of a Birth Doula can be beneficial no matter what type of birth you are planning. A Birth Doula still provides emotional and physical support to women getting an epidural by helping with coping and pain management prior to the epidural, walking you through the process and helping with alternative labor and birthing positions appropriate after receiving an epidural. For women getting a cesarean section, a Birth Doula can be helpful by providing constant support and encouragement. Often, a cesarean results from an unexpected situation leaving a mother feeling unprepared, disappointed or lonely. A Doula can be attentive at all times throughout the cesarean, letting you know what is going on throughout the procedure. This can free the partner to attend to the baby and accompany the newborn to the nursery if there are complications.

Short answer, probably! 

Clients with private insurance with an HSA/FSA attached to their insurance plan, Doula support is a qualified expense. If the client has Medicaid OHP, Doula support reimbursement rate is $350 (2 prenatal, birth support, 2 postpartum). 

As of January 2023 many insurances are updating their plans to list Doula service as covered expense but some may still not cover the full cost or the cost at all. 

I recommend reaching out to your insurance provider and/or talking with me so I can help direct you to the appropriate sources to discuss your individual benefits and coverage for Doula services.