A birth doula is someone who supports expectant parents and families through pregnancy, childbirth, and the transition into the postpartum period. Birth doulas can provide emotional, holistic, and physical support, as well as assist with finding reliable resources that will help prepare for the end of pregnancy, the birth experience and the postpartum period.

Before Birth: Your birth doula will meet with you prior to delivery; during these meetings your doula will provide emotional support and reliable, evidence-based information so that you can confidently prepare for the birth experience YOU want.

(Unlimited phone/email support included!)

Labor & Delivery: During you labor and birth, your birth doula will offer emotional and physical support. This support looks different for everyone and can include a plethora of skills that your doula has, including but not limited to- aromatherapy, counterpressure, assistance with optimal fetal positioning (which can be discussed prior, and utilized during the birth experience), evidence-based care/resources, breastfeeding support, resources and much more.

Postpartum: Your birth doula will meet with you after you deliver at a mutually agreeable time. During this meeting your doula will help you reflect on your birth experience, have any question you have answered, prepare a postpartum-care plan, as well as newborn care basics. (Primal Vision Doula also offers postpartum that can extend from a few weeks to 3 or 4 months into your postpartum transition.)

Click Here for Birth & Postpartum Service options!

It’s often recommended to begin your search for a Birth Doula during your second trimester and to have one secured in the beginning of your third, but the earlier the better! Interviewing multiple doulas in your area is suggested in order to determine who you connect with the most. You deserve to have a trusting and open relationship with your doula and feel as though you have someone who aligns with your wants and advocates for your needs during your experience.

It’s important to determine what it is you are looking for in a doula and to trust your gut. Do you have any specific needs or preferences when it comes to pregnancy and birth? For example, free mobility, a private room, water therapy for labor/birth, and anything else you can think of that you might want! Having a doula that is knowledgeable and experienced in the things you are planning, who will support you unconditionally can make a world of difference.

Doulas attend all types of births, from homebirths to cesareans, and provide a continuous peaceful and comforting presence. If you are giving birth in a hospital, there can be times where you feel that your needs are dismissed, you are not being listened to or cared for attentively, or that things are too overwhelming to ensure a peaceful birthing space. Your doula can help you remain autonomous, comfortable, and informed throughout the entirety of your hospital birth experience.

A Doula can benefit you and your partner in the hospital by:

> Providing a peaceful presence, while ensuring you have continuous emotional and physical support throughout labor and delivery.

>Providing guidance during initial breastfeeding and skin-to-skin bonding after the baby is born.

> Providing evidence-based information and advocacy in regards to your options in the hospital (i.e. benefits, risks and alternatives)

> Ensuring healthy communication with hospital staff, and assisting you in advocating for your needs and wishes.

>In the event of a Cesarean (planned or unplanned), a doula can help you understand the procedure, keeping you informed of your options in the operating room, balancing emotions and thoughts, as well as assisting with initial breastfeeding and bonding when the baby is born.

A doula is a non-medical support person who’s sole priority is caring for you emotionally and physically, while also providing evidence-based information to help you feel empowered and informed during your birth experience. During births, doulas often are seen doing counter-pressure (acupressure technique to combat contraction pain), ensuring that you're hydrated and fed, providing guidance and reassurance to you (and your partner), etc.

(Doulas do not perform clinical tasks such as cervical checks, medication administration, catching your baby unless absolutely necessary, etc.)

A midwife is a medical professional who’s focus of care is on the health and safety of you and your baby while providing clinical tasks to do so. During births, a midwife would be seen providing cervical checks, administering medications (if necessary), ensuring you and baby’s vitals are stable, and catching the baby.

Doulas and midwives fit together like puzzle pieces when it comes to ensuring women have empowering, safe, and personalized birth experiences.

It is the belief of many doulas (myself included) that our role is to amplify support to everyone that is a part of your birth team. Your partner knows you better than anyone else, and making sure they feel confident and supported during the birth experience is vital to ensuring a positive birth experience for both of you.

A doula is meant to compliment the role of your partner, and ensure that they are as informed and comfortable as you are during the birth experience. Your birth doula should work with your partner by offering guidance and suggestions, helping them to participate in support, and making sure they are also keeping themselves hydrated and energized for the experience.

Every birth experience is unique. Maybe there was something about your previous experience that you want to avoid this time. Or maybe you experienced something that was not explained to you and left you confused. Having a doula by your side can help you approach and experience this journey with more confidence and ease.