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What is a doula?
The word doula comes from the ancient Greek meaning, "a woman who
serves." Today we use it in the context of birth, referring to a trained and
experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and
informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth. You
can read more about what a doula does here.
Is a doula the same as a midwife?
No. A midwife is a professional that monitors labor and helps ensure the
safety of mother and baby during labor and delivery. It is the job of the
midwife to perform clinical tasks such as measuring fetal heart rate and
checking cervical dilation. She is also skilled in recognizing complications
that may arise during birth, many of which she can treat herself. A doula
does not perform any medical or clinical tasks and is not trained to monitor
and aid the delivery of the baby, although many are knowledgeable about
emergency childbirth procedures.
Will you replace the role of my partner at birth?
No. Before labor, we will discuss what type of involvement you would like
your partner to have in your birth and how I will work to support that.
What areas and what hospitals do you cover?
I live in Frederick, MD and travel to surrounding counties in MD, VA, PA
and WV. Hospitals include Frederick Memorial, Carroll County Hospital,
Howard County General, Washington County Hospital, Gettysburg Hospital,
Shady Grove Adventist, Loudoun Hospital/The Birthing Inn, Jefferson
Memorial, and City Hospital (Martinsburg). If your hospital is not on this list,
I may still be able to attend your birth. Contact me to discuss it.
Will you attend home births?
I will attend homebirths as long as the mother has planned for a qualified
midwife to be in attendance as well. However, it is my policy to show up in
labor whenever you are ready for me and will come to your home before the
midwife if you desire. I apologize but I cannot provide my services at a
planned "unattended" home birth.
Will you be my doula if I am not planning to breastfeed?
Yes! Your decision to breastfeed or not is your personal decision. I believe
that breastfeeding is the best choice in most situations. However, only you
can decide if your situation is one of them. I can, at your request, discuss any
reservations you have about breastfeeding and help you to work out a plan
that is right for you.
Will you be my doula if I am planning on having an epidural? If so, what is
your role?
Yes! There are many things an epidural can do to help you in labor but there
are also many risks associated with them. I will help you to maximize the
benefits of an epidural while minimizing the risks. In addition, having an
epidural may not eliminate all discomfort (physical and emotional) from
your labor, and labor and delivery with an epidural can become
complicated. A doula can help you: work through any medical issues that
arise, make decisions regarding timing of your medication, and deal with
pain or discomfort you experience before or after you get your epidural.
Will you be my doula if I have an induction?
Yes! Because of the nature of medically-induced labor, women who have
been induced often need much more support than women who have gone
into labor naturally. While the decision to induce is between you and your
doctor, I can give you another perspective and information that will help you
make an informed decision. If induction is a necessity, at your request, I can
suggest natural methods to avoid a hospital induction, unless medically
contraindicated.
What do you do if I need a c-section at some point in labor or plan a
c-section in advance?
If, while you are in labor, something happens and you need a c-section, I can,
if allowed by your doctor, come sit with you in the OR while you are being
stitched up so your partner can go with the baby. Then I would help you in
recovery, and do your follow-up as normal. My job would be the same for a
scheduled c-section.
... more to come! This site is under construction. Contact me with any
further quesitons.
The word doula comes from the ancient Greek meaning, "a woman who
serves." Today we use it in the context of birth, referring to a trained and
experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and
informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth. You
can read more about what a doula does here.
Is a doula the same as a midwife?
No. A midwife is a professional that monitors labor and helps ensure the
safety of mother and baby during labor and delivery. It is the job of the
midwife to perform clinical tasks such as measuring fetal heart rate and
checking cervical dilation. She is also skilled in recognizing complications
that may arise during birth, many of which she can treat herself. A doula
does not perform any medical or clinical tasks and is not trained to monitor
and aid the delivery of the baby, although many are knowledgeable about
emergency childbirth procedures.
Will you replace the role of my partner at birth?
No. Before labor, we will discuss what type of involvement you would like
your partner to have in your birth and how I will work to support that.
What areas and what hospitals do you cover?
I live in Frederick, MD and travel to surrounding counties in MD, VA, PA
and WV. Hospitals include Frederick Memorial, Carroll County Hospital,
Howard County General, Washington County Hospital, Gettysburg Hospital,
Shady Grove Adventist, Loudoun Hospital/The Birthing Inn, Jefferson
Memorial, and City Hospital (Martinsburg). If your hospital is not on this list,
I may still be able to attend your birth. Contact me to discuss it.
Will you attend home births?
I will attend homebirths as long as the mother has planned for a qualified
midwife to be in attendance as well. However, it is my policy to show up in
labor whenever you are ready for me and will come to your home before the
midwife if you desire. I apologize but I cannot provide my services at a
planned "unattended" home birth.
Will you be my doula if I am not planning to breastfeed?
Yes! Your decision to breastfeed or not is your personal decision. I believe
that breastfeeding is the best choice in most situations. However, only you
can decide if your situation is one of them. I can, at your request, discuss any
reservations you have about breastfeeding and help you to work out a plan
that is right for you.
Will you be my doula if I am planning on having an epidural? If so, what is
your role?
Yes! There are many things an epidural can do to help you in labor but there
are also many risks associated with them. I will help you to maximize the
benefits of an epidural while minimizing the risks. In addition, having an
epidural may not eliminate all discomfort (physical and emotional) from
your labor, and labor and delivery with an epidural can become
complicated. A doula can help you: work through any medical issues that
arise, make decisions regarding timing of your medication, and deal with
pain or discomfort you experience before or after you get your epidural.
Will you be my doula if I have an induction?
Yes! Because of the nature of medically-induced labor, women who have
been induced often need much more support than women who have gone
into labor naturally. While the decision to induce is between you and your
doctor, I can give you another perspective and information that will help you
make an informed decision. If induction is a necessity, at your request, I can
suggest natural methods to avoid a hospital induction, unless medically
contraindicated.
What do you do if I need a c-section at some point in labor or plan a
c-section in advance?
If, while you are in labor, something happens and you need a c-section, I can,
if allowed by your doctor, come sit with you in the OR while you are being
stitched up so your partner can go with the baby. Then I would help you in
recovery, and do your follow-up as normal. My job would be the same for a
scheduled c-section.
... more to come! This site is under construction. Contact me with any
further quesitons.
| Gentle Passage Birth |
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