What to expect from your doula during your pregnancy.
Once you decide to hire us, your doula will be available to support you and answer your questions at anytime during your pregnancy. You can expect to have two prenatal meetings with your doula during your pregnancy either in person or virtually (your preference). Your doula will assist you with birth preference planning, healthcare provider selection/options, support for your partner, and referrals to community partners such as; childbirth educators and chiropractors.
We tailor our approach to supporting our clients in the areas where they need it most. We are now offering doula support for families who have Medicaid in Monroe County & a few surrounding counties!
Why hire a doula?
Birth doulas offer physical, emotional, informational, advocacy and partner support. A doula can support you through any type of birth; a home birth, hospital birth, cesarean birth, and even birth with multiples!
The physical support may include: counter-pressure during labor, massage, and assistance with position changes.
The emotional support may include: verbal praise/affirmations, assistance with creating a safe and loving birth space.
The informational/advocacy support will include: sharing many resources about pregnancy, birth, lactation and parenting. This will empower the family to make informed decisions about their care.
Doulas also support partners too! We check on partners to make sure their questions are answered, we involve them in the labor and birth if desired, we make sure they eat during labor, and we make sure they feel safe.
FAQs - Doula & Lactation Services
What happens if my doula becomes sick or is at another birth when I am in labor?
We have back-up doulas available to attend your birth if your primary doula is unavailable to attend your labor and/or birth.
Are doulas and midwives the same?
No. Midwives are medically trained healthcare professionals that provide medical care to women during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Doulas are not medically trained and provide informational, emotional and physical support to women during pregnancy, birth and the immediate postpartum time.
Does my insurance cover any of these services?
This depends on your insurance coverage, but most private insurances in our area do not cover doula services. You may be able to use your Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for the services, but please check with your insurance company first.
We are partnered with The Lactation Network and are accepting select insurances for breastfeeding support visits. Check your eligibility here.
Also, if you have Medicaid and live in NY State we are in network and can provide doula support to families who have Medicaid.
What is a lactation consultant, and when should I consider seeing one?
A lactation consultant is a professional trained to help parents with breastfeeding. You should consider seeing one if you're experiencing difficulties with breast/chestfeeding, such as latch issues, low milk supply, or pain.
What types of births do doulas support?
Doulas support women who plan to give birth in hospitals, birth centers and at home (as long a trained medically professional is present to provide medical care). Doulas can provide support during a c-section either in the operating room (if allowed by the hospital), prior to c-section and afterwards. They can assist with discussing the process and also helping you to advocate for a gentle c-section allowing immediate skin to skin and or having a clear drape used to allow you to see the birth of your baby.
When should I seek help from a lactation consultant?
Seek help if you are experiencing pain while breast/chestfeeding, if your baby is not gaining weight, if you have concerns about your milk supply, or if you have any other breastfeeding challenges/concerns. It may also be wise to meet with a lactation consultant before the baby arrives.