Birth Doula Frequently Asked Questions
A birth doula provides emotional and physical support, along with resources and birth preparation to an expecting family prenatally, during birth and shortly after.
Birth doulas meet with you prenatally, offers support throughout your labor and birth, and is there for you as you transition into your postpartum chapter. Some things that are included in doula work: prenatal visits, telephone/email support, on-call availability, continuity of care, assistance and support during labor and birth, assistance with optimal fetal positioning (which can be discussed prenatally and utilized during the birth process), aromatherapy, massage, photography, breastfeeding support, resources and much more.
Click here to read what is included if you were to hire a doula on our team as your birth doula.
A doula is a non-medical support person who focuses on caring for you emotionally and physically, and helps you to feel informed and empowered. While they often have similar approaches, a midwife differs from a doula in a very large way. A midwife is a *medical* professional, meaning that the primary focus of their care is on the health and safety of you and your baby. Both doulas and midwives work with you prenatally, support you throughout the birth and follow up with you postpartum. Specifically at a birth, doulas are often found doing hip squeezes, refilling your water bottle, providing guidance and reassurance (to you and your partner), and repeating affirmations that empower you. At a birth, midwives may be found doing similar things to a doula, but their top priorities include: ensuring that you and baby's vital signs are stable, assessing you and your baby, completing cervical exams when needed, administering medication if necessary, and catching the baby you are birthing.
Doulas and midwives go together like peanut butter and jelly!
Whether you want to give birth at home or by scheduled cesarean, birth doulas support ALL kinds of birth. A lot of people imagine doulas supporting home births or think doulas are only for the "crunchy" families. While that may be a stereotype for doulas, a large majority of doulas can be found in hospitals and birth centers. Some doulas have "specialties" or certain styles that they bring to the table, meaning that they might be a better fit for a certain idea you have for your birth. Experience and additional training do come into play here. Doulas support any and all birth, from midwife-supported home births to birth center births to unmedicated hospital births to scheduled cesarean births.
The earlier the better really. Typically, the beginning of your third trimester is a good time to have your doula secured by. We often recommend that you start your search in your second trimester, talk to and interview a couple of doulas, and really determine who is the best fit for you. You deserve someone you feel an easy connection with and someone who you feel fits your personality and needs.
*If you consider yourself a planner or someone who experiences anxiety more often, hiring a doula earlier in your pregnancy might be more beneficial. This allows you to really form that trusting relationship and feel unconditionally supported as you navigate the emotional and mental ups and downs.
A common question we get is, "Will my partner feel left out?" Honestly, this is a very valid question. Many think that a doula takes the role of the partner when, in fact, our role supports them as well. We firmly believe that our role as your doula is to amplify support, and that goes for your partner too. We have worked with many different birthing partners, yet they all have one thing in common: Your partner knows you better than anyone else. Even if they aren't sure how to support you in labor/birth, they know your fears, preferences and desires. We work with your partner by encouraging them, offering guidance and suggestions when needed, reminding them to also stay hydrated and to take bathroom breaks, and more. If your partner has witnessed birth before, they still deserve support and the comfort in knowing they are supported as well.
Words from a birthing partner: "Having Keenya with my family has made a huge difference to us at the beginning of our son’s life. I have been so reassured knowing that my wife and son have had her support while I have been working
Absolutely! Like mentioned in an earlier question, doulas support all types of birth. While you may not request much physical support, there are emotional and informational ways your doula can support you.
A doula can benefit you and your partner if:
A doula can help you find a rhythm and stay informed, and can ensure that you are cared for emotionally and mentally. Some pain medications take the edge off (like nitrous oxide), while others may be more effective with taking the sharpness away (like an epidural). Sometimes there is still a need for other coping techniques, such as counter pressure, that we may need to utilize. Having a doula can provide you with reassurance that you have more tools at your fingertips. Perhaps you feel you are coping well with the discomfort of labor-- wonderful! A doula can ensure that you and your partner's emotions are supported and that you continue to receive any information you would like. The physical support piece does not fully go away too; you and your doula still have things like massage or positioning as options. At cesarean births, whether they are planned or not, doulas are useful to help with cesarean birth preparedness, balancing emotions and thoughts, and keeping you informed of the options you still have in the operating room.
You deserve the best! Each doula is unique and there are a few things that come into play.
Tip: If you connect well with more than one doula, consider hiring one as primary and asking the other doula to be the back up doula in the unlikely event that your primary doula is unable to attend your birth. A certified, professional doula is taught to acquire a back up doula. Ask if your hired doula works with specific back up doulas or is open to suggestions/guidance from you.
Yes, Belly Casting is a wonderful reminder of the once-in-a-lifetime event of being pregnant and is an amazing way to memorialize your baby bump.
There is really no limitation, however, we recommend a belly cast be made between 30 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. To take as close to full term as possible around 36/37 weeks and is completely safe, however anytime from 30 weeks is fine too but of course the bigger the bump the more effective so 36/37 weeks is perfect.
Preparing for a belly cast: Since belly casting is done with water, we recommend you bring an extra set of under garments with you so you don't go home wet. We will provide clean water and towels for you after your casting session.
Depending on the finish your choose will determine how long it will take to finish your cast. Please contact the office for an approximate time frame. You will be given a pick-date with your receipt. We will also notify you by phone when your cast is ready to be picked up. You must pick up your cast with-in the next 3 days of being notified to avoid a $3.00 daily storage fee. Cast left over 30 days will be considered abandoned and become property of Mommy and Baby First.
Yes, this is completely possible to do. If you wanted extra Prenatal / Antenatal or Postnatal Sessions this can absolutely be organized for you.
Yes, we can organize a payment plan that works for you.
At Mommy and Baby First, we believe that pregnancy and childbirth are normal, healthy processes. We strive to provide individualized care that supports the natural process of birth.
A postpartum doula comes with endless resources, support and guidance during the transition into parenthood from the first few weeks to a few months postpartum.
Postpartum doulas work with you during those first moments at home, typically ranging from a couple weeks to a couple months. Postpartum doulas provide unbiased, evidence-based information, and create a safe space for you to feel comfortable and cared for. You will receive assistance with newborn care, light household tidying, food preparation, lactation, laundry and more. Postpartum doulas provide critical support during the often overlooked "fourth trimester."
Postpartum doulas support ALL types of families. Regardless of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, etc. --- you deserve a postpartum doula. Twins or more? You are covered. Older siblings? Not a problem.
There is a postpartum doula out there right now that can fit the needs of you and your family. Schedule a consultation with Keenya so she can support you and your family!
This depends on you and how you are anticipating your postpartum needs will be met. Some families hire a postpartum doula while they are still pregnant. Maybe a previous experience has encouraged them to secure a postpartum doula early on. Other families start their postpartum journey on their own and then recognize that they would benefit from a doula or wanted to wait to see if they would require the support. The timing of when you hire a postpartum doula is completely up to you! Even if you do not hire one ahead of time, researching and knowing your options while pregnant can be helpful for when you end up searching for one after you give birth.
Working with your family means that the doula offers encouragement, advice and guidance as everyone navigates the new transition. Support for the family often looks like suggestions for bottle feeding and bath time, help with preparing dinner, and more. Yes, a professionally trained postpartum doula makes you the priority. This includes your mental and emotional health, your physical healing from birth, and your sleep. Those needs are often met when a postpartum doula supports another aspect of the family/home. When you feel your baby is taken care of, the kitchen is organized and your lunch is made, your overall well-being has a chance to feel restful and cared for. A postpartum doula tends to what you need, sometimes even without needing direction (as long as it's within their scope of practice).
The work you and your postpartum doula do together can look different than someone else's work with them. Each family's needs are unique, therefore your experience and schedule with your postpartum doula will be unique and individualized to fit you and your needs. Depending on the doula and their availability, you may have them do day or night shifts, ranging anywhere from 2 hours long to 8 hours long. Some doulas even will do longer if needed! You can choose to have your doula with you once a week or several days a week; again, it's completely between you and your doula. For example, we have done three 6-hour day shifts a week with one family, and two 4-hour evening shifts a week with another family. It all depends on your needs, your doulas availability and offerings, and when you need support.
You deserve the best! Each doula is unique and there are a few things that come into play.
Tip: If you connect well with more than one postpartum doula, consider hiring one as primary and asking the other doula to be the back up doula in the event that your primary postpartum doula cannot be with you for the exact schedule you are looking for. Ask if your hired doula works with specific back up doulas or is open to suggestions/guidance from you. Having a second postpartum doula, even just in case, is a great option if you are in a bind and need some last-minute care!
Yes, this is completely possible to do. If you wanted extra Prenatal / Antenatal or Postnatal Sessions this can absolutely be organized for you.
Yes, we can organize a payment plan that works for you.
Yes, as an Certified Herbalist and Certified Hair Loss Practitioner I have taken the time to be educated, to thoroughly research and add love to create the best all natural products for your family and mine.
Everything that's listed on my shop is handmade by me and created with agape love!
I can customize and personalize most products to fit you, your family and friends with a quick free 15 minute wellness consultation by phone. Once the consultant is over and the order is purchased, I will create your order and ship ASAP.
Yes, absolutely you can. We can create a complete package just for you.
Due to the threats imposed by the Covid-19 Pandemic, it wouldn't be safe or ethical to accept products back after the products have come in contact with buyer from different regions all over the world.
We offer cancelations within 24 hours of purchase before the item is shipped as a courtesy to possibly impulse or indecisive buyers.
We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause but it is the best way to respect the health of all parties involved. Thanks for your understanding.
As soon as the order is submitted to me the order is created same day and be shipped same day.
The United States Postal Service is making a change in the way they deliver all mail (usps.com ). This change will impact the shipping cost of all purchases. To learn more about these changes, please visit the USPS website. Thank you for understanding these changes!
The United States Postal Service is making a change in the way they deliver all mail (usps.com ). This change will impact the delivery of all purchases. To learn more about these changes, please visit the USPS website. Thank you!
We accept PayPal and payment arrangement are available. Mommy and Baby First keeps your payment information secure. Mommy and Baby First never receives your credit card information.
The security of your personal information is important to us. We follow generally accepted industry standards to protect the personal information submitted to us, and will not jeopardize your life or my life and business.
These are rarely needed but terms & conditions of bookings are below:
RESERVATION AND BOOKING POLICIES:
Booking does not constitute the creation of a contact, and Keenya Land, Mommy and Baby First, Keens Things and Herbalist Blends reserves the right to decline to process any booking for any reason. If the booking is not able to be fulfilled Keenya will promptly refund any money reserved.
I gladly accept cancellations: Request a cancellation within: 12 hours of purchase.
I don't accept returns or exchanges: But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Customs and import taxes: Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
All products have all natural ingredients and our products information provided within is intended to be used as general information-only and is in no way intended to replace medical advice, is not to be used as a medical treatment program, nor to diagnose or cure of any disease or medical condition. Always consult with a qualified physician for medical advice. You are solely responsible for the use and misuse of products offered and for all actions and consequences of that use or misuse. You assume sole risk and responsibility when using these products. Always patch test products before use to ensure you are not allergic to the herbs. We are not liable for any conditions encountered by allergic reactions to the herbs. In purchasing these products you are acknowledging that you agree with these terms and conditions and we Mommy and Baby First, Herbalist Blends and Keens Things will not be held liable.
Mommy and Baby First
4316 Lindsey Way Northeast, Roswell, Georgia 30075, United States
Copyright © 2013 Mommy and Baby First - All Rights Reserved.
Keenya Land Certified Doula and Herbalist