What Does a Doula Do?

A birthing doula is someone who provides continuous, one-on-one emotional, informational, and physical support surrounding labor. I can provide resources when requested, advocate for you in medical settings in accordance to your desires, and help ensure you feel fully educated and confident in your care. During labor I may use physical massage and touch to relieve stress and release oxytocin; help you shift positions or participate in light movement to aid in the progress of labor; give affirmations or guide you through your breathing, among many other techniques. After birth I’ll come to your home for a roughly one week postpartum visit to check on how you’re doing, address any questions or concerns, and provide you with any resources or referrals for further postpartum care.

Why Get a Doula?

The presence of a birthing doula during labor has been linked to many positive outcomes both for the pregnant parent and for the newborn. Having a doula present during labor and birth has been shown to decrease the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%. The presence of a doula has also been linked to higher rates of birth satisfaction and an easier experience breastfeeding. All pregnancies can benefit from the presence of a doula, regardless of your birth plan or medical interventions.

Further reading on the benefits of having a birthing doula:

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/

https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/having-a-doula/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3647727/

What Does It Mean To Be A Trans Educated Birth Doula?

As a trans birthworker with a focus on trans clients, I make it my goal to stay educated on - and have the ability to provide resources on - how pregnancy and birth may differ in bodies affected by hormone replacement therapy or gender affirming surgeries. I can also provide resources for inducing lactation and supporting body feeding in non-gestational partners, both those assigned female and birth and those assigned male at birth.

What Happens at the Initial Consult?

Booking a consultation is in no way a commitment or an obligation, it’s just a chance for us to get to know each other better and see if we’d be a good fit. We’ll meet at your home, or a local coffee shop or park of your preference. I also like to have your partner(s) or other support system that will be present for labor be a part of our consultation. We’ll discuss your preferences and desires relating to your birth plan, your support systems & post-natal care needs, relevant medical history, and get to know each other as people. Many people hire their doulas around the 20 week mark, but it’s never too early to start meeting with potential doulas, and it’s never too late right up until your due date.

Will Insurance Cover This?

Unfortunately, doulas are not covered by most private insurances at this time. However, here in Washington state, the Health Care Authority is working to add doula service coverage to Apple Health/Medicare in 2025.