• What is your schedule like? Availability is dependent on what I can reasonably commit to. I will do my best to structure the care of my clients in a way that maximizes the support that I can offer. However, if I am unable to help you because of time restrictions, then I would be happy to put your name out to the community so that I might offer you other possible doulas with similar values and support styles to mine.     

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• Are birth classes still necessary if I have a doula? Birth classes can be a great way to get prepared for birth and new parenthood. However, the information shared in a class isn't specific to your experience, whereas, working with a doula offers personalized support. Doula support and birth classes can be complimentary to each other because you can take what you learn from the class and then explore those subjects with your doula in a way that applies to you directly.   

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• Do you have Social Media?  You can find me on Instagram @bumblebeebirthworker. I share birth and postpartum information and inspirational tidbits as a way to connect with my community. Feel free to stop by. If you would like to share my information with someone else, this website and Instagram are the best places to direct people. 

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• Can we be friends with our doula? As a doula I have the privilege of being involved in a very personal and intimate part of people's lives. This means that a lot of trust is required for my support to be successful. Trust, support and the sharing of important life experiences creates a bond between people. This connection is a good thing, however it is my responsibility to make sure the attention and energy is directed towards the people I am supporting. Friendship is a two way street which is different from what I do as a doula. I give so you can receive and this is exactly how it should be. One of the other key differences between a doula and a friend is that friends give opinions and doulas provide up to date information so that you can make decisions based on your own feelings and beliefs.

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• Are your services covered by insurance? I do not work directly with your insurance company, but doula services are covered by some insurance providers. You will have to check what your plan covers specifically. If it is covered I will issue you a recipe which you can submit with your claim. 

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• What is the difference between a midwife and a birth doula? A midwife is a medically trained professional who is qualified to deliver babies. Their primary focus is on your health and your child’s health. A doula is not a health care provider and we are not qualified to perform any medical tests or procedures. Instead, we are primarily focused on your specific needs as a birther so that we can support you and your partner through pregnancy, labour and delivery. 

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• What is the difference between a postpartum doula and a baby nurse? A baby nurse can be hired to care for the newborn. They are primarily focused on feeding, changing and caring for the baby. A postpartum doula has many of the same responsibilities, however, we are more focused on supporting the birther’s recovery both emotionally and physically as well as generally easing the postpartum transition for the whole family.

  

• Is a doula, a birth worker and an MSP the same thing? A doula is a general term used to described a support person. There can be many kinds of doula other birth and postpartum, including fertility, loss and end of life doulas. A birth worker is more specific to the work someone does with pregnant people and babies. This can cover a range of professions but is often used by birth doulas. A Maternal Support Practitioner is my certification designation referring to the kind of education I have received. I am a doula, a birth worker and an MSP, but each term gets increasingly more specific.  

   

• Will a doula replace my partner? The answer is no. A doula is never there to replace your partner. In fact, a doula is there to support your partner as well. It is my goal to nurture and facilitate my client’s already existing support network. I encourage your partners to attend the consolation and prenatal visits with you if that is something they have the desire to do. They are welcome to get involved in the pregnancy, birth and postpartum process to the degree that you are both comfortable with. In fact, a partner can even have their own doula just to support them on their journey to new parenthood. 

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• When is it too late to hire a birth doula? Technically speaking, once you have already given birth. Some people realize they need support at week 38. Some people have it planned as early as week 20. It's never too late to advocate for your needs to be met. However, it is preferable if you can give your doula at least a few weeks time to get to know you and to provide you with some prenatal care. 26-28 weeks is a good middle ground to have your birth support figured out.    

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• When is it too late to hire a postpartum doula? Generally speaking postpartum doulas support birthers and their families in the first year following birth. Often when people hear the word 'postpartum' they think the first six weeks but postpartum doulas can be a great resource long after that short window is over. Hiring a postpartum doula before you give birth means you don't have to worry about it once the baby is born but if you realize you need support after you little one is already here that is totally fine as well.    

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• What if I only want one or two kinds of the support you offer? The kind of support that I provide to you will be determined by your individual needs. This means that weather you want a lot informational education, or you prefer to talk mostly about your feelings I will take my lead from you. However, it is fair to note that doula support will never be only informational, emotional or physical because they are so closely intertwined. For example if I am sharing information with you I am doing so in an emotionally respectful way or if I am assisting with a physical comfort measure during labour I am also holding emotional space for your experience. Each kind of support is interconnect and that is the beauty of my job. 

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