🤔 General
Do you personally have x experience? / Have you ever supported someone with x experience?
Whether I have supported or personally had a specific experience or not doesn’t necessarily make me better or worse at providing you with care. While some of the physical needs can be similar across c-section, miscarriage, abortion, twins, etc., everything else varies for each client. I let my clients define what care works best for themselves and honor that. No two people define safety, comfort, healing, and security in the same way. Every reproductive journey is unique and new for me.
Whether I have supported or personally had a specific experience or not doesn’t necessarily make me better or worse at providing you with care. While some of the physical needs can be similar across c-section, miscarriage, abortion, twins, etc., everything else varies for each client. I let my clients define what care works best for themselves and honor that. No two people define safety, comfort, healing, and security in the same way. Every reproductive journey is unique and new for me.
How do I know you're the right doula for me?
Some questions to ask yourself: Do you feel comfortable with me? Do you feel like I give you the space to voice your opinions and they’re honored? Do you think I am flexible and adaptable enough to move with you as you figure out your changing needs? Do you think I can emotionally support your experience? Do you feel like there is any cultural disconnect that would make working together difficult? Do you feel I can best support your identities? I am not the doula for everyone and that’s ok by me! I’m happy to refer you to a doula I think would be a better fit after consultation and knowing your needs.
Some questions to ask yourself: Do you feel comfortable with me? Do you feel like I give you the space to voice your opinions and they’re honored? Do you think I am flexible and adaptable enough to move with you as you figure out your changing needs? Do you think I can emotionally support your experience? Do you feel like there is any cultural disconnect that would make working together difficult? Do you feel I can best support your identities? I am not the doula for everyone and that’s ok by me! I’m happy to refer you to a doula I think would be a better fit after consultation and knowing your needs.
Do you accept HSA/FSA as payment?
Yes. Please first clarify with your insurance what they need in order to reimburse you for doula fees. I can accept HSA/FSA cards through PayPal and send you a superbill OR you can pay me on your own and submit my superbill as a claim.
Yes. Please first clarify with your insurance what they need in order to reimburse you for doula fees. I can accept HSA/FSA cards through PayPal and send you a superbill OR you can pay me on your own and submit my superbill as a claim.
Can your services be reimbursed with Carrot Fertility? Have you worked with clients who have used Carrot?
Yes. I have the certification requirements to be approved by Carrot Fertility for doula reimbursement. I have worked with clients who have been able to get my services reimbursed by Carrot in past. It requires us to work together to create an invoice with Carrot's required details.
Yes. I have the certification requirements to be approved by Carrot Fertility for doula reimbursement. I have worked with clients who have been able to get my services reimbursed by Carrot in past. It requires us to work together to create an invoice with Carrot's required details.
Do you take Kaiser's HMO coverage for doula services?
Yes. I ask that clients sign contract with me and pay a deposit. That deposit is refunded once Kaiser reimburses my doula services claim. Kaiser typically processes claims within 6 weeks after your birth or last postpartum visit.
Yes. I ask that clients sign contract with me and pay a deposit. That deposit is refunded once Kaiser reimburses my doula services claim. Kaiser typically processes claims within 6 weeks after your birth or last postpartum visit.
What has been the most gratifying part about your work?
It has to be the moments I witness birthing people or their support persons experience growth through the challenges of pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. And second to that is when they become self aware of their own growth and it gives them confidence, hope, clarity, a new sense of themselves—it does something different for each person. It feels incredibly humbling to witness their transformation.
It has to be the moments I witness birthing people or their support persons experience growth through the challenges of pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. And second to that is when they become self aware of their own growth and it gives them confidence, hope, clarity, a new sense of themselves—it does something different for each person. It feels incredibly humbling to witness their transformation.
🫄🏽 Birth
What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife? Do I need both?
Doulas and midwives serve different purposes. Midwives are licensed health professionals. Doulas are not medically licensed and DO NOT diagnose, provide medical advice, or perform medical procedures. Doulas offer care during pregnancy, labor, and birth in the form of physical, informational, and emotional support. Ex: A midwife will check vitals and perform vaginal exams. Doulas will use massage to help with labor pain, assure you when you're scared to continue, or encourage you to ask medical providers about your options. Whether you need both depends on where you'd like to birth (Read about the 4 different types of midwives and which setting they work in here.), and whether you want to invest in doula support or not. Please reach out if you'd like midwife recommendations.
How will hiring you affect my partner’s role in pregnancy/birth/postpartum?
I am in no way a replacement for the presence of a partner, parent, best friend, sibling, etc., nor do I want to be. Partners/family members/friends intimately understand each other and have developed their own ways of providing care for each other. I’m there to ask what care looks like between you, has it been effective, how can it adapt for pregnancy/birth/postpartum, and gently remind you to embrace it. I like to think that pregnant people, partners/parents/friends, and I are a team that learns together and collaborates on the best way to aid the client’s health and safety. The support person’s role varies from client to client. I leave their role open to be determined by both the birthing person and the support person themself. I'm happy to give examples of what that could look like during our consultation.
How do you feel about epidurals, "natural birth," etc?
It doesn’t matter how I feel because it’s not my body. I support whatever birth you want. I don’t turn down inquiries based on birthing location, induction method, vaginal birth vs planned c-section, etc. Any and all are valid ways to birth.
I avoid using the word "natural" in my practice. It implies that using any medical procedures or medications during birth is "unnatural" or bad. This can lead to feelings of shame or guilt for people who want or need other options.
Where should I birth at?
The choice is yours, and it will depend on (1) if you are determined by medical providers as high risk pregnancy or not, (2) which environment makes you feel most comfortable and safe, (3) which providers you want involved in your care, and (4) what you have the budget for considering insurance coverage for facilities and providers. The three usual options are home, birthing center, or hospital. Only low risk pregnancies can birth at home or birthing centers. If any emergencies arise, they will have to be transferred to a hospital. You can find out about the hospital facilities, staff, and procedures through tours. I tell expecting families regardless of where you birth, do a hospital tour. You will be familiar with the facilities in case of emergency transfer. You can get all this information with more detail in a childbirth education class.
What is childbirth education and do I need it?
Childbirth education (CBE) is information about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. At its best, it is non-judgmental (doesn’t try to sway you towards a specific kind of birth), inclusive (of all family structures, bodies, genders, etc.), evidence-based (references clinical studies and transparent when there is a lack of studies), and informative in a relatable way to expecting families and their support systems. 1000 percent every expecting family needs it. It informs you on every possible choice and risk when it comes to birth. Imagine making important decisions about your body and baby while experiencing painful, intense contractions. Doulas will tell you, clients are more prepared when they’ve taken CBE classes because they feel more comfortable, in control, and know what to expect or look out for during birth. Please refer to my resources page for more CBE options.
When should I start working with a doula?
I tell expecting families if they want a doula, start your search sooner than later. Doulas get booked and you'll have less choice the closer it is to your due date. After you sign contract, you can always choose to wait a few weeks before you start prenatal meetings. Ideally I start prenatal meetings with clients around 25-30 weeks. Even so, I've worked with families starting at 38 weeks and we've been ok! Life happens or folks might not know that they want a doula until later on. We adjust by reprioritizing and doing prenatals at a faster pace. In any case, don't let your timing make you anxious or stressed. Make sure to bring up any concerns about timeline with doulas during consultation or prenatals.
Doulas and midwives serve different purposes. Midwives are licensed health professionals. Doulas are not medically licensed and DO NOT diagnose, provide medical advice, or perform medical procedures. Doulas offer care during pregnancy, labor, and birth in the form of physical, informational, and emotional support. Ex: A midwife will check vitals and perform vaginal exams. Doulas will use massage to help with labor pain, assure you when you're scared to continue, or encourage you to ask medical providers about your options. Whether you need both depends on where you'd like to birth (Read about the 4 different types of midwives and which setting they work in here.), and whether you want to invest in doula support or not. Please reach out if you'd like midwife recommendations.
How will hiring you affect my partner’s role in pregnancy/birth/postpartum?
I am in no way a replacement for the presence of a partner, parent, best friend, sibling, etc., nor do I want to be. Partners/family members/friends intimately understand each other and have developed their own ways of providing care for each other. I’m there to ask what care looks like between you, has it been effective, how can it adapt for pregnancy/birth/postpartum, and gently remind you to embrace it. I like to think that pregnant people, partners/parents/friends, and I are a team that learns together and collaborates on the best way to aid the client’s health and safety. The support person’s role varies from client to client. I leave their role open to be determined by both the birthing person and the support person themself. I'm happy to give examples of what that could look like during our consultation.
How do you feel about epidurals, "natural birth," etc?
It doesn’t matter how I feel because it’s not my body. I support whatever birth you want. I don’t turn down inquiries based on birthing location, induction method, vaginal birth vs planned c-section, etc. Any and all are valid ways to birth.
I avoid using the word "natural" in my practice. It implies that using any medical procedures or medications during birth is "unnatural" or bad. This can lead to feelings of shame or guilt for people who want or need other options.
Where should I birth at?
The choice is yours, and it will depend on (1) if you are determined by medical providers as high risk pregnancy or not, (2) which environment makes you feel most comfortable and safe, (3) which providers you want involved in your care, and (4) what you have the budget for considering insurance coverage for facilities and providers. The three usual options are home, birthing center, or hospital. Only low risk pregnancies can birth at home or birthing centers. If any emergencies arise, they will have to be transferred to a hospital. You can find out about the hospital facilities, staff, and procedures through tours. I tell expecting families regardless of where you birth, do a hospital tour. You will be familiar with the facilities in case of emergency transfer. You can get all this information with more detail in a childbirth education class.
What is childbirth education and do I need it?
Childbirth education (CBE) is information about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. At its best, it is non-judgmental (doesn’t try to sway you towards a specific kind of birth), inclusive (of all family structures, bodies, genders, etc.), evidence-based (references clinical studies and transparent when there is a lack of studies), and informative in a relatable way to expecting families and their support systems. 1000 percent every expecting family needs it. It informs you on every possible choice and risk when it comes to birth. Imagine making important decisions about your body and baby while experiencing painful, intense contractions. Doulas will tell you, clients are more prepared when they’ve taken CBE classes because they feel more comfortable, in control, and know what to expect or look out for during birth. Please refer to my resources page for more CBE options.
When should I start working with a doula?
I tell expecting families if they want a doula, start your search sooner than later. Doulas get booked and you'll have less choice the closer it is to your due date. After you sign contract, you can always choose to wait a few weeks before you start prenatal meetings. Ideally I start prenatal meetings with clients around 25-30 weeks. Even so, I've worked with families starting at 38 weeks and we've been ok! Life happens or folks might not know that they want a doula until later on. We adjust by reprioritizing and doing prenatals at a faster pace. In any case, don't let your timing make you anxious or stressed. Make sure to bring up any concerns about timeline with doulas during consultation or prenatals.
🚼 Postpartum
What’s the difference between a postpartum doula and a nanny?
A postpartum doula has training in several postpartum areas including: physical healing after birth, mental health support, lactation and baby feeding, and nourishment, as well as local resources for professionals (pelvic floor therapists, IBCLC, MFTs, etc.). Depending on the postpartum doula, they will also offer sibling support (care for the older sibling(s) of the newborn), light housework, cooking, and over-night care. The fees for a postpartum doula reflect the training needed to care for the recovering birthing person. If a postpartum family is just looking for housework and child care, it would be more affordable to hire a cleaner, babysitter, or nanny. Any of these options are an investment in the needs of a postpartum family.
A postpartum doula has training in several postpartum areas including: physical healing after birth, mental health support, lactation and baby feeding, and nourishment, as well as local resources for professionals (pelvic floor therapists, IBCLC, MFTs, etc.). Depending on the postpartum doula, they will also offer sibling support (care for the older sibling(s) of the newborn), light housework, cooking, and over-night care. The fees for a postpartum doula reflect the training needed to care for the recovering birthing person. If a postpartum family is just looking for housework and child care, it would be more affordable to hire a cleaner, babysitter, or nanny. Any of these options are an investment in the needs of a postpartum family.
Why is there a difference in your postpartum hourly rate and your custom prenatal sessions hourly rate?
My postpartum work is mostly contained to the hours I am either in your home or virtually supporting you. For every hour I meet with clients for custom prenatal sessions, there is an hour or more of work I do without clients present (creating a birth plan document or educational materials, writing out clients' next action steps, etc.). The rates reflect the amount of labor exchanged.
What's your view on chestfeeding vs pumping vs formula?
I don't make any judgments about the way anyone chooses to feed their babies. I understand that chestfeeding has the greatest health and developmental benefits for baby and chestfeeder if:
I offer troubleshooting and support for all kinds of feeding methods. It usually starts with a conversation about what you want from feeding (bonding, stronger immune system for baby, to be able to go back to work, etc.) and the different options available to you.
My postpartum work is mostly contained to the hours I am either in your home or virtually supporting you. For every hour I meet with clients for custom prenatal sessions, there is an hour or more of work I do without clients present (creating a birth plan document or educational materials, writing out clients' next action steps, etc.). The rates reflect the amount of labor exchanged.
What's your view on chestfeeding vs pumping vs formula?
I don't make any judgments about the way anyone chooses to feed their babies. I understand that chestfeeding has the greatest health and developmental benefits for baby and chestfeeder if:
- there is a lactating feeder available with the capacity in their body to support it, time off to do it, and consents to undertaking this labor
- the chestfeeder's mental health isn't adversely affected by chestfeeding
- baby is physically able to latch and consume human milk
I offer troubleshooting and support for all kinds of feeding methods. It usually starts with a conversation about what you want from feeding (bonding, stronger immune system for baby, to be able to go back to work, etc.) and the different options available to you.