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Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach out to DoulaMoonandBack@Gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question, or would like additional information.
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and into the postpartum period. I'm here to help empower, inform, and support you through your birthing journey -- whether you are welcoming a new life, navigating a pregnancy or infant loss, or finding new rhythm in your fourth trimester.
A common crossroads met when debating on a doula's care is, "Won't my partner (/support person) feel left out?" While this question is valid, and many think that a doula will take the role away from the partner, our role actually supports THEM as well. As your doula, amplifying your support is the main goal, and that extends to your support team as well.
Your support team knows you best, and even if they aren't sure how to best support you in labor/birth, they know your fears, preferences, and desires. Your partner deserves encouragement, guidance and suggestions when needed, reminders on their own self-care while tending to you, and more. My goal is to be an added member to your birth team, where we all have roles to fill, and work together toward the same goal - a positive and powerful birth experience for YOU.
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 share similar approaches to birth, a midwife is a *medical* professional- meaning that the primary focus of their care is on the health and safety of you and baby. Both doulas and midwives work with you prenatally, support you throughout birth, and follow up with you postpartum. Specifically at birth, doulas are often found doing hip squeezes, refilling your water bottle, providing guidance and reassurance (to you and your support persons), and repeating affirmations to show you your own strength. Midwives may be found doing similar things at a birth, 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 the moon and the stars. :)
You can hire a doula at any stage of pregnancy or loss. For birth support, earlier is better so we can build a connection and plan for your ideal experience. (Before 35 weeks is ideal - payment in full due at 37 weeks).
For bereavement support, you can reach out at any time, whether you're processing a recent loss, or seeking support months or years later. (Grief is not linear)
For Postpartum support, I help parents in the fourth trimester (12 weeks postpartum). If you need support outside of these 12 weeks, please reach out and I will do my best to accommodate!
I support all types of births, including hospital births, home births, birthing center deliveries, vaginal births, cesarean deliveries (belly birth), and VBACs (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). I also provide compassionate care for families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.
Yes! As a member of the community myself, I proudly support LGBTQIA+ families, and believe everyone deserves compassionate, nonjudgmental care during their birthing experience.
My birth doula package includes:
- A free consultation
- 1-2 prenatal / planning visits
- 24/7 text and phone support starting at 37 weeks
- Continuous support during labor and birth
- 1 postpartum visit for processing your birth experience + newborn care guidance
The prenatal visit is a time where you, your support person, and your doula meet at an agreed upon time to help you feel better connected, prepared, and informed. These are often held in the comfort of your own home, or at a public space if preferred (ex. coffee shop, over lunch...).
During this time, we will have dedicated face-to-face time to...
- help everyone feel comfortable together,
- review options, possible scenarios, and birth preferences,
- practice or demo positions and comfort measures,
- overall be on the same page about your goals and wishes for your birth experience.
Absolutely! I provide support for scheduled cesarean sections by helping you prepare emotionally and logistically, being present on the day of delivery, and assisting during your postpartum recovery.
Yes! I'll work with you to create a personalized birth plan that reflects your preferences, values, and any medical considerations. This helps ensure that your wishes are understood by every member of your care team.
As your doula, I am on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from 37 weeks until your baby is born. You can reach out, any time, day or night, and I'll join you when you need my support.
Our postpartum visit will happen in the comfort of your home when *you* determine you are ready for the visit (typically some time within the first 2-3 weeks postpartum). This time will be used to...
- review, debrief, and process your birth experience,
- have in-person support with lactation and infant feeding (by body or bottle)
- receive a mental health check, full of emotional support,
- explore what resources and referrals might be needed for this new chapter,
- answer any questions you have about newborn care (ex soothing, bathing, sleep),
- practice and better understand things like baby wearing or pumping
It is our inherent nature as doulas to meet you in vulnerable and intimate spaces while embodying safety, respect, and kindness. This 60 (ish) minute session is meant to be validating and enlightening, and is entirely individualized to what you truly need out of the time with your doula. While I, as your doula, will still be available for text/phone support through your whole fourth trimester (3 months postpartum), this visit helps to provide us some in-person closure as well.
The best way to know is by scheduling a free consultation. This gives us a chance to connect, discuss your needs, and see if we're a good fit. Building trust and comfort is essential for a positive doula-client relationship.
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