Here are some of the most frequently-asked questions I get. I'd love to chat with you about additional questions you may have. Give me a call or text! (702) 241-4753.
FAQs
How is a doula different from a midwife or nurse?
A midwife is a primary care provider, while a doula is an expert in labor support. A doula stays with you, helping to guide you and your partner from beginning to end. When labor is at its most intense, there are two urgent needs: continuous emotional and physical support for the mother, and preparations for the baby’s arrival. The midwife cannot always do both at once. As your doula, I stay focused on your comfort throughout all labor’s stages.
Aside from helping care for you, the nurse is communicating with your care provider, taking care of other patients, documenting care, taking breaks, and taking care of other responsibilities. A nurse’s support ends when her shift does. I only have one obligation the whole time I am with you - and that is you!
Doulas help you clarify your vision and preferences for birth. As you learn more throughout your pregnancy, you might sometimes feel overwhelmed with information. Your doula visits create the space for you to talk about what you’ve learned, and from there, develop strategies for your specific needs. Your primary caregiver will appreciate that you can present a clear vision of your wishes, so that he/she can better facilitate your birth. (If your primary caregiver does NOT appreciate your presenting a birth plan, I will help you find a better caregiver!)
If you transport to a hospital, I will be a familiar face. I have experience in making an otherwise confusing and undesired situation more positive. Though your midwife will also likely accompany you in a transport, her job is to help bridge the gap clinically. I seek to bridge the physical, emotional, and informational gaps for families.
Will a Doula Replace My Birth Partner?
Doulas and partners make for a support dynamo! Doulas know birth; partners know the laboring mother.
A partner can wear a lot of hats: emotional rock, physical rock, parent of other children, keeper of the house, and host to visiting family or other house guests. In the event of a hospital transfer, he’s fielding questions about insurance and parking the car. In the midst of this, it can be challenging to remember all that was learned in childbirth classes, know how to apply all the techniques at the right time, figure out what the laboring mother is going through, knowing if it is all normal...and having his own emotional experience as well. Phew!
I can guide the partner, suggest or model what to do and say, be a reference point and encyclopedia. Having a person in the specific doula role allows a partner to be comfortable in whatever his role is. I take care of the details so that the partner can focus solely on the mother. I can be more hands-on, allowing the partner to be the photographer, or taking a break to eat. It is a collaborative team that best serves everyone involved. Sometimes this looks like me massaging your back for hours, and sometimes it looks like stepping out of the room and guarding your privacy with your partner while I do the dishes.
How Many Births Have You Attended?
I have attended over 250 births-- hospital births, home births, outdoor births, borrowed-living-room births, water births, and a few narrowly-missed car births. I've always wanted to attend a birth on a boat, bus, or airplane, but so far, no luck. (I do not attend births in hot-air balloons).
I've supported moms through C-Sections, epidural births, and natural births. The mamas I've attended have been teens, moms over 40, first-time moms, and moms of many.
What is an Advance-Trained Doula?
An Advance-Trained Doula (sometimes called a monitrice) is someone who is professionally trained to provide clinical skills to a laboring woman (fetal heart tones, blood pressure checks, and vaginal exams). When you hire an Advance-Trained Doula, you have the peace of mind of staying home longer before moving to the hospital, or while awaiting the midwife. An advance-Trained Doula monitors fetal heart tones and blood pressure, and can check cervical dilation, effacement, and station.
Whether or not I perform these tasks is entirely up to you.
What is Your Training?
I received my certification for massage therapy from the Academy of Medical and Business Careers, and further specialized in prenatal massage and completed doula training through the Institute for Somatic Therapy. In addition, I completed a midwifery apprenticeship with my own midwife and preceptor, Corrine Flatt. I served as a midwife for several years, before retiring to the less time-intensive roles of doula and massage therapist in order to spend more time with my family.
So, Does This Mean You Will Deliver My Baby?
No, I will not plan to deliver your baby. While most doulas are trained in the most basic emergency childbirth preparation, and indeed do end up catching their fair share of babies before the midwife arrives or you can get to the hospital, delivery of the baby is outside a doula’s scope of practice. I do not carry the necessary equipment to handle an emergency. I will not be as familiar with your medical history as your primary caregiver. Thus, I will not attend your birth if you are planning an unassisted (free) birth.
It is your responsibility to arrange for primary care, and to communicate clearly with your primary caregiver so that they can do their best to attend your birth.
What Are Your Fees?
My fee for one full-body, one-hour massage is $90. Discounted rates are available for regular, recurring appointments.
My fee for attending a birth in any setting is $900. This includes one massage, to be received any time you choose. Additional massages may be purchased at a discounted rate of $65 each. A deposit of $200 is due the day you hire me, and will reserve your spot in my on-call calendar. The remainder of my fee is due one week after your baby is born.
Should you decide you do not hire me for your birth, your deposit is refundable, minus $90 for one massage.
Most insurance companies will not cover my fee; however, I'd be happy to help you file a claim and hope for the best. If they cover some or all of my fee, I will happily refund you the portion that was covered.
If you are unable to pay my entire fee, or wish to discuss payment arrangements, don’t hesitate! I am happy to work with couples who desire doula care, but who are experiencing budgeting constraints. I may ask for financial information from you to determine if you are eligible for a payment plan or discounted rate.
Do You Offer Gift Certificates?
Of course! Gift Certificates are available for both massage and doula services.
This is an excellent "Baby Shower Gift" option for those who would like help with paying for their births.
Mama Kneads massage is for ALL WOMEN--no pregnancy required! Massage makes a fantastic gift any woman in your life. Be sure to ask about current specials!
I'm happy to help you create the perfect gift package--be it a GoFundMe, gorgeous Gift Certificates on card stock, or an all-digital format.