What is a doula?

A doula is a special, dedicated, non-medical childbirth companion who offers emotional, physical, and educational support to families during the prenatal and postnatal periods. Birth doulas provide continuous, one-on-one support throughout labor and delivery, often extending their care into the postpartum period. Doulas are able to make a real difference in birth outcomes by working with families in pregnancy to build a deep trusting foundation of individualized support paving the way for an informed and empowered birth experience wherever they choose to give birth. To learn more about the different types of doulas, the origins of doula work, and the traditional cultural practices that have shaped and informed the field, you can read more here.

How is a doula different than a midwife?

A doula provides emotional, physical, educational, and advocacy support during your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum — but does not perform medical or clinical tasks like checking blood pressure, monitoring heart tones, making assessments, providing a diagnosis, or suggesting treatments. Midwives, however, are trained clinical medical providers who are experts in physiological birth. They monitor the health and wellbeing of the parent/baby dyad (and do all the things mentioned above that doula’s do not do) and are the ones responsible for helping catch your baby.

Why hire a doula?

Doulas are valued members of the birth care team. Research shows that doulas help improve health outcomes for parents and their babies:

• 39% decrease risk in having a cesarean delivery

• 15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth

• 10% decrease in the use of medications for pain relief

• decrease use of interventions such as pitocin, forceps, vacuum

• shorter labors by 41 minutes on average

• 38% decrease in baby’s risk of a low 5-minute APGAR score

• greater satisfaction with their birth experience (31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience)

• reduction in NICU admission for infant

• 57% reduction in developing postpartum mood disorders such as postpartum depression/anxiety.

• more likely to initiate breastfeeding

• less likely to have infant with low birth weight

• have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family

  (Data above sourced from this Evidence Based Birth Article, this Cochrane Review, this Impact Of Doulas NIH study and this NIH study on the Impact of Doulas on Maternal Health.)

What do doula’s do?

• build a deep, trusting relationship with the parents to truly understand their needs, priorities, and beliefs

• offer childbirth education and informs families of their choices

• help prepare the family for birth and postpartum by creating a plan and assembling a support system

• help the partner practice labor coping and advocacy techniques depending on birth location

• provide emotional support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum

• can help integrate previous trauma with deep care, creating space for a more empowered and safe birth experience

• provide physical support during labor with gentle, grounding touch including position changes, counter pressure, massage, and much more.

• help support communication between parents and providers

• encourage and guide the non-birthing partner to step confidently into their role as the primary support person

• help process and integrate your birth experiences

• is the only member of your care team, aside from your partner, that will be with you providing continuous support during your birth

• can act as a your patient advocate during birth

• fortify your rights as parents to make autonomous, informed decisions (and informed refusal) about your baby and your body without judgement, pressure or coercion.

What doula’s DON’T do

• Perform clinical exams or procedures (like vaginal exams, take blood pressure or monitor fetal heart tones)

• Give medical advice or diagnose conditions

• Make decisions on your behalf

• Pressure you into making certain choices because of their own preferences/feelings or tell you what to do

• Take over the role of your partner (unless you are birthing without a partner and looking for your doula to fill that role)

• Deliver or catch your baby

*There are some exceptions to the above: Some doula’s may also have clinical training. For example, some midwifes also offer doula services in the form of Monitrice Care, which is doula support combined with clinical care during labor - meaning they can do things like check your cervix or monitor heart tones. I do not have clinical training and do not offer that type of care.*

What is a perinatal patient advocate?

A perinatal patient advocate helps families navigate the medical system, understand their rights, collect all the information needed to make informed decisions, communicate their values, facilitate clear communication between the care team, and so much more. A patient advocate is a well-known role in the hospital system, is hired by the family and has been given permission to speak on the family’s behalf.

What is the difference between a doula and a perinatal patient advocate?

There is a lot of overlap between what a birth doula and a perinatal patient advocate do, and both roles can make a huge difference in someone’s birth experience. Both provide education and support so that parents really understand their options — benefits, risks, alternatives — so that they feel confident in making the choices that are right for their unique situation.

The main difference comes down to training. Some doulas are comfortable speaking on their clients behalf to providers and hospital staff, while others prefer to focus on teaching the parents the advocacy skills needed to speak up for themselves. A perinatal patient advocate, however, is specifically trained to communicate directly with the client’s provider and care team (with the parent’s prior permission). They have extensive knowledge about the medical system, patients’ rights, and the communication tools that help bring the care team together with the birthing parent at the center. Many doulas are already doing advocacy work, without formal advocacy training, and many advocates start as doulas and add this specialized training to their skill set.

Both roles are incredibly supportive and often overlap, depending on the person.

How early should I hire a doula?

The minute you learn you are pregnant! While many people hire a doula during their second trimester, I recommend starting as early in pregnancy as possible. Early support gives you time to build trust, learn & educate yourself, and do the deep work that can make a profound difference in your birth experience — especially if you have a history of trauma. Preparing emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually takes time, and the earlier you start, the more confident and empowered you’ll feel as your birth approaches. Additionally, many doulas’ schedules fill up quickly, so reaching out early increases your chances of finding the right match.

I am already in my third trimester, is it too late to hire a doula?

No, not at all. While its ideal to start as early as possible, there is still time to prepare and connect even in the third trimester. Even a few weeks of focused birth preparation can make a big difference in helping you feel empowered and ready.

I thought doulas were only for unmedicated births.

Not at all! Doula’s support ALL types of births. Whether medicated (with an epidural) or unmedicated (no pain management), planned or unplanned cesarean, elective induction, home birth, birth center birth - and anything else in between - doulas serve and support families wherever it is they chose to welcome their baby.

How far do you travel?

I will travel about an hour in any direction from 91304. If you are a bit outside of that range and still want to talk, I’m open to exploring it. Let’s chat about it. Email me at: sarahlovesbirth@gmail.com.

What are your fees? What’s included in your packages?

I offer a variety of birth and postpartum doula services designed to meet different needs and provide personalized support for birthing families. Because every family’s situation is unique, I don’t list prices on my website. I firmly believe that cost should not be a barrier to receiving doula care, so I’m happy to discuss options and help find a package that works for your family. Please reach out to me at: sarahlovesbirth@gmail.com to schedule a conversation and learn more.

How many clients do you take per month?

I currently take 2-3 clients per month.

Do you take insurance?

I am not currently an in-network provider with any insurance company and do not bill insurance on behalf of clients. However, I can provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement if your plan includes doula benefits. Certain Kaiser & MediCal plans do have doula benefits.

My partner and I are planning to have our baby just the two of us — do you offer birth prep without attending the birth?

As as matter of fact I do! Birth is an incredibly intimate experience, it is completely understandable to want just your partner by your side. I offer both in-person and virtual birth prep sessions that are tailored specifically for families who want to prepare deeply for their birth without my presence in the room.

Can I hire you for postpartum support if I already have a birth doula?

Absolutely! I am deeply passionate about serving families in the postpartum period because there is no time more tender than when you are caring for a new baby and a new you. Some families bring me on solely for postpartum care and I welcome those opportunities. I also love collaborating with a family’s birth doula, which provides continuity of care, helps process the birth experience and supports a smooth, nurturing transition into postpartum period.

Do you do overnights for your postpartum families?

I currently do not offer overnight support. My postpartum visits are scheduled during the day and are tailored specifically to each family’s needs within that scope.