Birth/Postpartum questions

What are the different types of Doulas?

Is it possible to meet the Doulas in advance?

How soon should I hire a Doula?

What makes a Doula specialized?

How do I know if I need a Doula?

Birth Doula questions?

Is a doula only useful during a natural birth (unmedicated birth)?

Can other family members or friends be present while a birth Doula is present?

What is the difference between the Doula, the hospital nurse and midwife?

Postpartum questions?

How do I know if I need a Postpartum Doula?

What is the difference between a baby nurse and Doula?

What would be the need for overnight care?

How long do postpartum Doula services last?

Does a Doula help with breastfeeding?

Happiest Baby on the Block?

Do you offer classes?

What is Happiest Baby on the Block?

BIRTH/POSTPARTUM QUESTIONS

What are the different types of Doulas?

DouBaby offers 2 different kinds of Doulas, which both compliment each other. One is a Birth Doula and the other is a Postpartum Doula. Like its name the Birth Doula provides complete support before, during and after your pregnancy and delivery. This support starts in your home and proceeds to the hospital. A Postpartum Doula provides parents with complete support, relief, education and care after coming home from the hospital. A Postpartum Doula supports each member of the family and helps the family adjust to the new welcomed addition.

Is it possible to meet the doulas in advance?

Absolutely! We offer a free consult, in the comfort of your home, which allows you to have the doula come to your home and sit down with you and answer any of your questions about the services she provides. We believe that this consult helps you to make a more comfortable and informed choice for your family.

How soon should I hire a Doula?

We suggest any time past 27 weeks. The sooner the better, so that you're able to find the availability in the schedule to accommodate your estimated due date.

How do I know if I need a Doula?

If you feel the need for support before during or after your labor, birth, or arrival home
you would greatly benefit from a Doula. Doulas do not take over the role of the husband or family member, they work with the family to provide continued support and relief as well as on going education.

BIRTH DOULA

Is a Doula only useful during a natural birth (unmedicated birth)?

Whether a birth takes place with medication or not, the whole experience can be
intimidating and births can take many twists and turns causing unneeded stress and pressure on you the mom, which can change the course of any delivery. You may start the laboring process without medication but you may later change your mind and decide that you do want medication.(we follow your lead and support whatever decision you choose for your birth) Throughout your experience you will have your Doula to lean on and turn to in times of confusion and complete support.

Can other family members or friends be present if I choose to have a Birth Doula?

Each hospital has a different policy, but most hospitals allow 2-3 people in each room. There are times they do not count the Doula as a visitor. Many times it's at the discretion of the Labor Nurse in your room. If you are going to be birthing in the Alternative Birth Center (ABC) there aren't the same hard fast restrictions as to how many people can be present .

What is the difference between the Doula, the hospital nurse and midwife?

The Doula provides nonmedical labor support, education and comfort techniques
as well as birth education before the birth as well as postpartum education, all in the comfort of your home as well as the hospital. You meet the hospital nurse when you reach the hospital and are assigned to a room. Hospital nurses can be awesome but usually have a lot of paperwork and medically necessary duties that they are responsible for during labor. Midwives are medical practitioners that provide complete obstetrical services and deliver your baby, they meet and examine you in the office and are intermittently there throughout the labor until its time to deliver the baby. The birth process takes team work and every professional plays an important part.

POSTPARTUM DOULA

How do I know if I need a Postpartum Doula?

Some parents-to-be will know before the birth that they have very limited support, some parents-to-be have family available to them, but they may not know enough about infant care and how to provide appropriate support. There are times you may think you have plenty of support and you know what to do, but once you get home things may change (e.g. original support becomes ill, parenting styles clash, issues of postpartum depression come up, you have a c-section and need more support, spouse may have to work and is just exhausted)

What is the difference between a baby nurse and Postpartum Doula?

A Postpartum Doulas focus is to care for the family as a whole, newborn care, mom support, light household upkeep, education for mom and dad, breastfeeding support as well as sibling support. Most baby nurses focus solely on the newborn, they are great with the support of a premature or sick infant needing medical attention and treatment.

What would be the need for overnight care?

The primary reason for overnight care is to prevent complete sleep deprivation. A Postpartum Doula is able to care for the newborn throughout the night (whether the newborn is bottle or breastfed) allowing the parents to catch up with much needed sleep.

How long do Postpartum Doula services last?

Most Doulas provide services up to 3 months and then suggest longer term care with
a Nanny or Mothers Helper.

Does a Doula help with breastfeeding?

Yes, most Doulas have had some training in breastfeeding support, but most are
not lactation specialists. If you were in need of more extensive lactation support they would generally refer you to a local specialist.

HAPPIEST BABY ON THE BLOCK

Do You offer Classes?

Yes, at this time we offer private in home classes?

What is Happiest baby on the block?

It is a system of tools, by Dr. Karp, to calm and soothe crying babies.