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.
What are some benefits of hiring a Doula?
“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.”
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, I personally limit my schedule to two clients per month to ensure my support.
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 network and help you find a Doula.
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. I am not currently covered by Tricare, as they do not cover services in US territories at this time. More information to come in 2025!
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
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, health management, childbirth education, and your chosen support team and/or care provider. Childbirth is not a medical emergency! Article coming soon on home birth options and safety concerns.
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. I have a 100% success rate for VBAC clients, meaning everyone who has hired me as VBAC birth doula support achieved their goals and did not have a repeat cesarean.
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 birthing parent and their baby.
What services do you offer besides Birth Doula support?
I offer childbirth education, postpartum doula services, belly binding, breastfeeding support, bereavement support, prenatal and postpartum yoga classes, herbal consultations, and placenta encapsulation, as well as professional birth and postpartum doula skills workshops.
How does a Doula help after delivery?
Immediately after your baby is born, you’ll have a golden hour of uninterrupted time to rest and bond. I will offer to stay with you during this time to ensure you and baby are comfortable. I also can help you begin breastfeeding after delivery, if that’s your plan. 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, about 1-2 hours.
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 schedules, soothing tips and tricks for babies, 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!