Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Doula?
A Doula is a maternal health and wellness professional that specializes in supporting new parents in their goals throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and after bringing baby home. Doulas provide childbirth education, continuous support during labor and delivery, and postpartum services to help you achieve the beautiful experience you deserve with confidence. They also help clients create a birth plan, encourage them to advocate for themselves, and support the birth team & family unit.
“I liked knowing that I could call and text her my whole pregnancy. She was there for me to call when I didn't know when I should leave for the hospital. She supported my labor by being a calm presence - candles, massage, brushing hair, encouraging words, giving me space when I needed it.
I believe just having her present reminded me during my labor of what I was trying to achieve and how to do it.”
-Josie, Doula Client
What are some benefits of hiring a Doula?
Research shows that there are incredible benefits of having a Doula present during labor. Here’s just a few examples:
Decreased rate of interventions during labor, including induction methods like Pitocin and epidurals
15% higher chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth
Shorter labors by an hour or more
30% more likely to rate their childbirth experience positively
Increased positive breastfeeding outcomes and mother baby bonding
38% increase in newborn apgar scores, meaning they are more alert and responsive right after being born
Should I hire a Doula if I have a great Midwife or OB/GYN?
Obstetricians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, Nurses, and Doulas are all assets to your birth team! While your care providers and nurses will provide comfort and support during labor, their primary focus is you and your baby’s medical care. They may have other patients in labor, be otherwise occupied, or shift changes can happen. Doulas are at your side throughout the labor and delivery and are focused on your physical comfort measures, birth plan & team, and emotional support. All of these professionals will be very helpful and effective in their roles, and we work as a team to support you.
When is it too late to hire a Doula?
It’s best to hire your Doula before 20 weeks to take advantage of all the support offered through prenatal visits, childbirth education, and birth planning. Keep in mind that availability may be limited closer to your due date.
However, it’s never too late! Even if you’re in the early stages of labor, it’s possible to arrange last minute support. Feel free to contact me at any time. If I’m personally unavailable I will contact my local network and help you find a Doula.
Due to an upcoming PCS, I am currently accepting clients with due dates through August 2026 only.
How much do Doula services cost? Do you accept insurance?
Birth Doula Packages in Guam can range anywhere from $600-1700. Prices vary widely depending on location, your doula's experience level, availability, additional services that are included, and more factors.
I do not accept insurance at this time, but you will be provided an invoice for reimbursement from your health insurance provider. I’ve linked some helpful articles below, feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
Sublime Motherhood is not currently covered by Tricare, as they do not offer coverage for services on Guam excepting Guam Memorial Hospital.
Tricare Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration
How to get Your Insurance Company to pay for Doula Services
Using Your FSA/HSA for Doula Services/Childbirth Education
What if my doula can’t make it to my birth?
I take a very limited number of clients each month to ensure I am fully available for you when your birth day arrives. In all my years of supporting families, I have never missed a birth, and I intend to keep it that way. I sincerely value my client’s trust.
Unlike agencies or large doula collectives, I do not rotate or pass clients to backups you’ve never met. You are choosing me for my style of support, intuition, and experience, and that is who you’ll receive.
What does Virtual Doula support look like? When do you offer virtual support?
Virtual Doula support offers the same steady guidance, reassurance, and evidence-based information as in person care, delivered through video calls, phone, text, or messaging. I’m here throughout pregnancy to answer questions, help you prepare, talk through options, and support your entire birth team so they feel confident coaching and comforting you during labor. During labor, I provide real time encouragement and coping strategies, and I stay available postpartum for check ins and newborn care questions.
Virtual labor support can be included as a blended approach when necessary or if birth plans change, giving you flexible support that fits your needs at every stage. This option is also available if you have no doulas in your area and would like online support. Contact me for more details and availability.
Is home birth safe? What about water birth?
Research and statistics prove that home and water birth are both very safe, reasonable options with prenatal planning, childbirth education, and your chosen birth support team and care provider.
It is most important that you feel comfortable and at ease in your birth environment, and that you choose a birth team you trust. As your Doula, I will support you wherever it is you choose to give birth.
What’s a VBAC? HBAC? Are you experienced with VBAC/HBAC birth?
VBAC means vaginal birth after cesarean, HBAC means home birth after cesarean. I have personally attended both VBAC and HBAC births as a Doula and am very happy to provide local and online resources and a birth plan consultation to any mom considering her options.
As a Birth Doula I have a 100% success rate with VBAC clients, every client who has hired me for VBAC support has achieved their goals and avoided a repeat cesarean, according to their birth plan.
Do you support families who choose cesarean birth? Why would I hire a Doula if I’m having a C-section?
Yes! I support every family’s right to choose whatever birth plan seems right to them. A Doula can help you prepare for a cesarean birth by encouraging you to explore delivery room preferences, educating you on options and procedures before, during, and after your baby’s birth, supporting you and your family during the birth process at the hospital, helping with postpartum recovery at home, and more.
My partner and I are feeling unsure about having a stranger in the room. Does a Doula take their place in supporting me?
Absolutely not! It’s a very common concern that partners have, and birth is an intimate experience that I respect. I am always mindful of my place in the birthing room and work to provide comfort and confidence to both of you. Along with including all members of the birth team in prenatal visits, I can include them in offering you physical comfort measures, give them breaks and encouragement, and provide information they need along the way. Doulas can also take over all of the physical comfort measures, which lets your birth team focus on supporting you emotionally, keeping family updated, or communicating with care providers. Occasionally parents may need time alone to refocus, and I can facilitate that quiet, uninterrupted moment. Every birth experience is different and your comfort is my top priority.
Many partners who have been unsure about having a Doula present tell me afterward that having support and advice in the moment took a lot of pressure off of them and helped them focus on the mom's labor, the birth, and their baby. One of the best compliments I’ve received came from a previously doula-reluctant father during a difficult stage of labor: “You are like a magic fairy who can take her pain away. I don’t know how you do it, but this is worth every penny!”
What services do you offer besides Birth Doula support?
I offer prenatal support & childbirth education, virtual support, postpartum doula services, birth debrief sessions, breastfeeding support, placenta encapsulation, and birth & postpartum photography.
I also offer bereavement support, herbal consultations, group or individual yoga sessions, and birth and postpartum doula skills workshops upon request.
How does a Doula help after delivery?
Immediately after your baby is born, you’ll want at least one golden hour of uninterrupted time to rest and bond. I will offer to stay with you during this time to ensure you and your baby are comfortable. I also can help you begin breastfeeding after delivery, provide postpartum snacks and meals, assist with sibling care during and after the birth, and much more. I will follow up with you in the first few days after delivery to reflect on the birth experience and offer postpartum support. This is usually a brief visit lasting about 1-2 hours, however, postpartum care is highly personalized and tailored to every family’s individual needs.
It can take up to a year to fully recover after pregnancy and birth, not to mention normal family adjustments! I offer postpartum doula services for further support after delivery. Postpartum doulas can help new parents with maternal rest & recovery, meal preparation, sibling support, breastfeeding and bottle feeding assistance, infant massage, sleep, soothing tips and tricks for babies, light housework, companionship, and much more. Read more about doula support after delivery here.
How do you become a Doula?
Doula education programs and certification requirements vary widely depending on which organization you choose (there’s currently over 175!). Doulas typically take an in-person training program or workshop, pursue self-study, reading, projects, and research, observe childbirth classes, take supportive educational courses, engage in community outreach, and attend births by shadowing or as a student before attending births professionally.
If you’re interested in becoming a Doula, check our Training page for upcoming workshop dates!
Where can I follow you on social media?
I do not maintain an active social media presence. I choose not to share client photos, birth stories, testimonials, or real-time updates out of respect for their privacy, safety, and the deeply personal nature of birth.