Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is a doula, and how is a doula different from a midwife?
A doula is a non-medical professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support during reproductive experiences. AÂ midwife is a trained healthcare professional who provides medical support during reproductive experiences (more similar to an OBGYN).
Â
Visit this blog post from Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings for more info about full-spectrum doulas.
2
When should I hire a birth doula?
Ideally during your second trimester (around 20 weeks), but it’s never too late! I would like to schedule our prenatal sessions around 28 weeks and 34 weeks to establish our relationship and help you adequately prepare for birth. However, I’m always happy to chat with you if you’re further along in your pregnancy and looking for support!
3
Will a birth doula still be helpful if I plan to have an epidural?
Absolutely! My support is not just about pain management. There are so many aspects of pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum that the medical system expects pregnant people to navigate on their own. My educational, physical, and emotional support is beneficial no matter what kind of labor and delivery you end up having. During our prenatal sessions, I meet you where you’re at and help you prepare through an individualized plan just for you. And during labor and delivery, with or without an epidural, I will help you by facilitating frequent position changes to support a steady progression of labor, protect your peace/vibe of the room and assure your needs are met, and help you navigate any decisions you need to make around potential interventions and/or complications.
4
What happens if you can't make it to my birth because you're sick or too far away?
During our on-call window (37 weeks and beyond) I will stay in the area/within driving distance in order to make it to you in within 3-hours (usually sooner) of when you tell me it’s time. And if I’m sick or cannot get to you for some other reason (shit happens!), I always offer a backup doula that you will connect with virtually or in-person during our prenatal sessions, who can fill in for me if I can’t make it to your birth. I also will do my best to be available to you virtually (text/phone call/video call) throughout the entire birth.
5
Do you support hospital births, birth center births, and home births?
Yes, yes, and yes! I'm happy to join your care team in any birth setting.
6
Do you offer support for unassisted home births?
Not at this time. I should not be the most educated birth worker in the room. I understand my scope as a doula as non-medical, and I don't have the life saving skills and training to assist with the physiological needs that may come up during labor and delivery.
However, in the rare case that birth happens quickly and I'm the only one there, I am trained to get you and your baby through it safely until medical professionals arrive!
7
Can you help me decide if I should get an abortion?
No, this is outside of my scope as a doula. I provide support once you've made your decision. If you're still weighing your options, you may benefit from professional counseling (see my resources page) or discussing it with your healthcare provider.
8
Do you accept insurance?
Not yet! I need to be officially certified as a doula, first. As of Spring 2026 I am fully-trained, and once I have attended 3 births I will be certified and therefore eligible to accept payment through insurance.