Frequently Asked Questions

A doula provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and after birth. During pregnancy, I’m your go-to resource for questions, referrals, and birth planning. During labor, I’m by your side offering comfort measures like massage, breathing techniques, position changes, and advocacy. After birth, a postpartum doula helps with newborn care, breastfeeding support, meal prep, emotional support, and everything in between. Think of me as your personal guide through the entire journey — I’m not a medical provider, but I work alongside your medical team to make sure you feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Great question — I get this one a lot! A midwife is a licensed medical professional who provides clinical prenatal care, delivers babies, and manages the medical side of your birth. A doula is a non-medical support person focused entirely on your comfort, education, and emotional well-being. We don’t perform medical procedures or make clinical decisions. Instead, we work alongside your OB or midwife to ensure you have continuous support throughout labor. Many families hire both a midwife and a doula, and we make a wonderful team!

Unlike doulas who have not been professionally trained, certified doulas are held to a higher standard and specially trained on how to properly support a birthing person during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. CAPPA requires all certified doulas to follow a Scope of Practice and Code of Conduct that ensures my own and my clients’ health and safety.

HypnoBirthing® is a childbirth education method that teaches you deep relaxation, breathing techniques, and visualization to help you approach birth calmly and confidently. It’s not about being hypnotized — it’s about releasing fear and tension so your body can do what it’s designed to do. As a certified HypnoBirthing® Educator, I teach these techniques in my private and group classes. Families who use HypnoBirthing often report shorter labors, less need for interventions, and a more positive birth experience overall. It works beautifully for hospital births, birth center births, and home births alike.

You can reach out to me through my Contact Page to check my availability and schedule a time to meet via FaceTime or Zoom.

My schedule books up quickly, so the sooner the better just to ensure my availability. Also, the sooner you hire a doula, the more we can support you throughout your pregnancy! I do weekly check-ins with clients to answer any questions and give resources and referrals throughout your pregnancy.

After meeting virtually, you’ll receive my detailed contract. If you decide to hire me, the contract and full retainer fees should be sent as soon as possible in order to ensure my availability. My time is reserved for you once a signed contract and payment in full has been received.

Absolutely — and I encourage it! I’m not here to replace your partner. I’m here to support your entire team. During labor, I guide partners on how to provide hands-on comfort, when to step in, and when to step back. Many partners tell me they felt more confident and less anxious knowing I was there to help. Your partner gets to be fully present for the experience instead of worrying about whether they’re doing the right thing. We make a great team together!

Once labor has begun, you should call me (and your OB/Midwife) to alert us that labor has started. I will meet you when you feel you’re ready for my support. This can be as early or late in labor as you see fit. Some families want support during early labor at home, others want doula support only once they’ve reached active labor or have been checked in at the hospital or birthing center. It’s completely up to you. I’m happy to offer virtual support until you’re ready for me to meet you.

Yes! Doula support is valuable for every type of birth, including planned and unplanned C-sections. For a cesarean birth, I provide emotional support before, during (when hospital policy allows a doula in the OR), and after the procedure. I help with skin-to-skin in recovery, first latch for breastfeeding, and processing the experience. For high-risk pregnancies, having a knowledgeable support person by your side is even more important — I help you understand your options, communicate with your medical team, and stay calm through unexpected changes in your birth plan.

There is no exact time frame of how long a person’s postpartum period can be, as it varies based on the amount of time the birthing person needs to heal fully: physically, mentally, and emotionally. I typically recommend hiring a postpartum doula for at least the first 6 weeks postpartum and up to 4 months. Typically clients book for 2-3 days per week for 8+ weeks.

I only offer daytime support but have many night doulas that I know and love whom I’m happy to refer you to if you’re looking for overnight support. I love teaming up with a night doula to have you covered from day to night, so you can get your questions answered and have hands-on guidance during the day and get some much needed rest at night!

Babies rarely arrive on their due date, and I’m fully prepared for that! For labor doula clients, I’m on call starting at 37 weeks (or earlier if there are risk factors for preterm labor) and remain on call until your baby arrives. If your baby comes early or your due date passes, we stay in close communication and I adjust my availability accordingly. I also have trusted backup doulas in place for the rare chance that two clients go into labor at the same time. You’ll always have support, no matter when your little one decides to make their entrance!