Frequently Asked Questions

What is a doula anyways?

A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous emotional, educational, and physical support before, during, and after birth.

What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife?

Doulas are there to support you emotionally, educationally, and physically, while your midwife is there to support all your medical needs.

Why do I need a childbirth education class if I’m hiring a doula?

Your doula is there to help you find the information you need during pregnancy and birth, but they can’t possibly give you all the information you need in the time they have with you. This would be like drinking from the fire hydrant when you need information!

I don’t know if I want a “natural” birth; how would a doula help me?

The emotional and educational support pieces of being a doula does not change whether you are planning for an epidural or not, and while the physical support may look different, it is still a huge piece of the birth even with epidurals!

What’s the difference between a CLC and an IBCLC?

A Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) is a certification offered by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice after a rigorous training process. Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants are professionals who are coming from a medical background, and are completing breastfeeding training and clinical practice. To learn more about the differences and similarities, read here.

What happens if my doula can’t come to my birth?

Because Samantha and Ciarra work in a partnership, the chance of neither of them being able to attend your birth is quite slim. In the event of an emergency or an act of God keeping them from attending, a trusted back-up doula would attend at no additional cost to you. Read more about our doula partnership here.

Still have more questions?

Are any of your questions unanswered? I would be happy to address them – get in touch.