FAQ's

What are the benefits of using a Doula?

Statistics show that using a trained Doula can have the following results:

Shorter labors
Reduced need for pain medication
Fewer episiotomies
50% reduction in C-Sections
Improved neo-natal outcomes
Better mother- infant interaction
Greater satisfaction with the birth
Reduction in the use Pitocin
40% reduction in the use of forceps
60% reduction in the request of epidurals and more

Does a Doula take the place of the father?

No. A Doula can actually bring a couple closer together. By assuring that the father’s needs are met ( food, drinks and emotional support) only then can he can give the mother his undivided attention. This is a stressful time for both mother and father. Fathers worry they are not doing enough or the right thing. A Doula helps him to care for and support his partner by giving suggestions, providing encouragement or giving needed breaks during a long labor. The fathers in the 90's have been cast in the unfamiliar role of Birth Coach, even though they have little or no experience with Birth.

They often become overwhelmed and easily frustrated when the simple comfort techniques taught to them don't work, a doula can help offer the right suggestion at the appropriate time, helping the father use his support skills better.

As one father put it "How can I coach when I have never played the game??" One study showed that 60% of fathers that have taken birth education classes become mostly a spectator, as they became overwhelmed with the surroundings. The feeling of insecurity and the lack of knowledge of what is happening takes its toll on both parents.

A Doula has accompanied many couples through the birth experience and gained the knowledge needed to help each couple achieve the desired birth experience. She helps the father to be more involved and more effective. The nurses can not be with you at every moment or may not be at liberty to answer your questions in an unbiased manner. The doula fulfills this role so that parents receive the information they need to make informed decisions. In essence, freeing up the father to provide un-interrupted emotional support to his partner, and not having to play the role of advocate , liaison, educator etc...as well as provide support.

I am planning an Epidural for my Labor, Why Use a Doula?

Doulas first and foremost, help to give you the information you need to make informed decisions for your care and your babies care. This doesn’t stop just because you decide on an epidural. Pain relief in labor can be a real help, but you still have decisions to make. Thier are risks invovled in the use of medication in labor. Your husband will still need support and relief, and during the often exhausting work of pushing, a doula can be valuable in lending a hand, offering suggestions, and in general, helping you avoid intervention that is likely to result with the use of an epidural or other medication, that you wouldn’t experience otherwise, like a forceps or vacuum extraction birth. She is there to educate you before the birth, support you until you reach the point where an epidural is safe for you and help you aviod unneed intervention. The is no medication that is proven safe for your baby,including the epidural, so support becomes even more important in these situations.

For example most doctor won’t tell you before hand that they won’t allow an epidural until 4-5 cm dilation. Or that the epidural may not work. Planning a pain free labor with no support can turn into a miserable labor when the epidural doesn’t work or is patchy. With an epidural you are subject to more intervention from medical procedures, such as the use of pitocin.. Again the doula can give you the information you need to make informed decisions and offer you alternatives. After the birth she can help you with Breastfeeding, help you at home with recovery and continuing breastfeeding.

If you decide on narcotics then you will not be effective in making decisions and your partner may have to do that for you, he/she will need help also.

You may be trying for a natural birth and like to do it unmedicated, but plan on having pain medication “if it gets to bad” and would like to hold off for as long as you can. A doula can help you do that and help you obtain a natural, normal birth. A doula can often help moms get to 7-8 cm comfortably before they ask for pain relief. For them that is an awesome accomplishment. After hearing how far they are, they opt to continue with out medication and deliver unmedicated, giving the sense of control, pride in themselves and accomplishment. It’s a very big goal they just met!

Most doulas are all for natural labor and delivery, we have seen enough of what happens during a medicated birth, but we are there to make the experience what YOU want and no one else.
We are here to make your experience the best it can be for your family.

Would a doula be offended if asked to leave for a few minutes?
We may want some private time alone as a couple.

A doula should not take offense to anything the parents need to make their birth a positive experience! I actively encourage this, as do other doulas. I think its awesome if there are a few moments you could spend alone as a couple before your lives change forever! After the birth, family time is very important and after we have you comfortable and baby breastfeeding well then a doula can certainly step aside until needed again.

What about other family, won’t it get confusing with a lot of people?

A birth in the family is an exciting event, and family and friends should participate. Often family wants to help but aren't sure how, leading to confusion and adding to the stress of the mother. This is especially true if she feels the need to entertain everyone or act as a mediator between members. The birth assistant can coordinate the efforts of the group, by giving them things to do and making them feel more useful. Eliminating the confusion and helping them work as a team. They may also help educate your family prior to labor, so that your family knows your wishes and what they can do to help you.

Won't the nurses do most of this for us? Why would we need someone there is she will be there for us? What about my doctor, where will he/she be?

The nurses are usually wonderfully supportive, however it is unusual for you to be her only patient. She has the burden of (at least) one other couple to support as well. The time she/he does spends in your room in taken up with assessing the well being of you and your baby and charting, very little time is left for actual hands-on support. Nurses are not generally trained in alternative techniques for comfort and pain relief and are more likely to suggest medication instead. If you are planning a natural birth this can be defeating. I if you were planning on medication this may be fine, however the nurses may not help you to reach a point where medication would no longer cause problems like stalling labor. On average a nurse only spends 9.9% in actual supportive care during an average labor, and only a small percent of that is physical support, its more verbal/instructional support.

The nurses are wonderful people, but they do change shifts. During a long labor you may see several nurses, but your doula stays with you through all of those changes. Even your doctor may not be the same one that was on call when you started! You doctor will only be called in occasionally and may not show up until the very last pushes to bring your baby into the world. A lot of doctors are very busy and manage most womens' labor by phone, sometimes managing several women at one time.

What If I Have a Midwife? If I Am Having Home birth or Birthing Center Birth a Doula Doesn't Seem Needed.

A doula can still provide a valuable service, including personal childbirth education and labor support. Not all midwives provide labor support and this is a very good question to ask her when interviewing a midwife. Some midwives prefer to attend you later in labor or may prefer not to provide physical labor support. The best way to determine how your midwife will be, is to talk to former clients and see how well they felt supported during labor. There are never to many extra hands at a birth! So even with a supportive midwife, you may still benefit from a doulas services. Ask your midwife/midwives how they feel about doulas.

How Much Does a Doula Charge?

Generally it depends on the services offered/desired. An average of 250.00 to 800.00 is not unusual depending on where you live & what services are offered. You are paying for her experience, so its is also not unusual for more experienced doulas or ones who have other certifications such as Childbirth education etc to charge on the higher end, where a doula that is in the middle of certifying and is relatively inexperienced may not charge at all.

Most Doulas require a retainer (usually 50.00 to 100.00) upon signing the contract for services and the remainder two weeks prior to your due date. Most Doulas have there own payment schedules and are willing to work with families on that, if done in advance or upon signing the contracts.

What Kind of Training Does a Doula Have?

There are several paths to becoming a doula. The profession of Doula, does not currently have any state regulation and does not require training or certification. There are many wonderful doulas that have chosen not to certify with any of the current organizations. If a doula does decide to become certified then there are several organizations that do that. DONA is where our current Doulas are trained with, or training with. DONA Requires, Specific Training classes, Childbirth education series, Births and Evaluations, Essyas, Questionairre, plus a extensive reading list, is required for certification.

Do Doulas only take on clients birthing at home or who plan on not using pain medication?

Every Doula is different and every birth is different. We at Arizona Valley Doula Services feel that regardless of birthing choices, every mother who wants a doula deserves one. Some doulas only work with midwives, some only clients who want a natural birth. However not all Doulas go by this, it is just a "personal" preference.

Do doulas perform medical procedures, or exams?

Absolutely Not! A doula does not under any circumstance perform medical procedures.

What happens if I go into Labor and my doula is not reachable?

This is where a "back-up" doula comes in, However Back-ups are mainly for "what if's" and rarely have to actually "back up" unless there is a dire situation. We reccomend with any doula to ask about thier Back Up procedures, and if you wish to be able to meet the "back up" on the occurance a back-up is needed you are only required to pay Half the fee (the other half goes to the back-up).

I really want a doula, However money is very tight, how can I get a doula for my birth?

Arizona Valley Doula Services understands that not everyone can afford a doula right away, We offer Payment Plans, Negotiable fees, and in some cases free services depending on our schedule of clients and availability.

Still Have questions? Please e-mail us at azvalleydoula@aol.com and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.