Common Questions 

Where are you located?

I serve the Spokane, Washington and surrounding areas including but not limited to: Mead, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls, Hayden, and Coeur d'Alene.

What birthing facilities do you provide birth doula services at?

I can provide birth doula services wherever you choose to deliver! At a hospital, home, birthing center... You name it! 

What is a doula and what do they do?

A doula is someone who advocates, educates, and provides physical and emotional support to someone during their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum journey. My responsibility (and honor!) as your doula is to create a safe, comfortable, and calm atmosphere for your labor, birth, and postpartum experience. It is an honor to be able to enhance a growing family's most intimate and life-altering moment of childbirth.

• Are you wanting physical support such as massage, counter pressure, or someone to literally lean on? I can be your person! 

• Do you want someone to guide you through relaxation exercises and breathing techniques? I can do that too! 

• Need someone to show you the ropes on how to care for a newborn? Yessss, please pick me!

• Are you seeking a combination of it all AND more? I will do that for you! 

Let's connect on how I can help make your delivery and postpartum experiences as peaceful, grounding, and special as they are supposed to be.

What trainings and certifications related to birth work do you have?

• Certified Birth Doula: Birth Arts International

• Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula: Coeur d'Alene Holistic Doula Association

• Birth Doula Certification credential: Washington State Department of Health

• Other: First Aid, CPR, and Bloodborne Pathogen training

How is hiring a doula beneficial to me and my birth partner?

Research shows that having continuous support during labor and birth provides many benefits! 

• 39% decrease in the risk of a cesarean delivery with a doula

• 15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth

• 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief

• Decreased labor times

• 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score

• 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience

The statistics listed above are gathered from: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/

Can I still hire a doula if I get an epidural?

Yes! Doulas are able to provide support whether you choose to have a medicated or unmedicated birth!

I have had a baby before without a doula. Would having one for my upcoming birth be beneficial?

Yes! It is becoming more common for families to hire doulas. Some common reasons why you may choose to hire a doula for a subsequent birth:

• Maybe you were unaware of what doulas had to offer before and you have increased your knowledge about doula services since your previous delivery!

• Perhaps you have experienced a traumatic birth and are seeking more support for your upcoming delivery.

• You have limited childcare at home and your partner will need to step away from the labor to be with your other child(ren) at times. I would be there to provide continuous support!

Do you have a contract we sign when I book doula services? Can I see it?

I do have a service contract and I would be happy to email you a copy prior to the consultation. Just let me know what email to send it to!

Life happens and sometimes backup doulas need to be utilized. How does that work? Who do you use as a backup? 

We are lucky to live in a region that has a large network of amazing doulas. I have a handful of doulas I work closely with and we support one another as backups if it is ever necessary. My primary doula partner is Kaylee Barnett McMicheal with Nurture All Doula Services. In the rare case a backup doula supports you during birth instead of myself, the full fee still applies and I will compensate the backup doula for attending the birth.

What if I am having a c-section? How can a doula help?

You can still have a doula if you have a cesarean delivery! I would be there to provide comfort, give encouragement, explain what to expect during the procedure preparation and during the delivery, take pictures (and videos when allowed), as well as provide postpartum support immediately following the birth to give comfort, encourage newborn bonding, and breastfeeding help.

Do you accept insurance?

Not at this time. All costs are out-of-pocket.

Are discounts for services ever offered?

Repeat birth clients receive a 20% discount for birth doula services. Additionally, at certain times throughout the year, I offer services at a discount. Follow my social media pages to get notified of any specials!

Is there a question you have that was not answered here?

Let's connect and discuss everything you want to know!