Doula Support
Traditionally, women always gave birth surrounded by other women. With the development of modern medicine, this tradition was not always respected, leaving birthing women alone and powerless. In recent years, many studies have shown that consistent support throughout pregnancy, labor and postpartum period is associated with better health outcomes. It lowers cesarean rates, shortens the duration of labor, reduces epidural use, boosts early breastfeeding, minimizes mother’s fear and anxiety, and improves the experience of birth and postpartum period, and mother-infant interaction.
According to DONA International, a doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
Postpartum Doula
Through our postpartum doula support services, we offer a comprehensive range of non-medical assistance to help ease the transition after the arrival of your baby/babies. From aiding in your physical and emotional recovery to providing valuable educational resources, we are here to support your family every step of the way. Our services include guidance on self-care practices, hands-on assistance with newborn care and feeding, informative sessions on postpartum health for both mother and baby, personalized support for breastfeeding, helping your family navigate their new roles, and providing practical household help like preparing meals, assisting with baby laundry, and sterilizing bottles.
As DONA International describes: “Present health care practices in much of the developed world, combined with a lack of cultural rituals, leave families virtually unsupported in the crucial year of childbirth. There is a great deal of evidence suggesting that quality support can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to the family. By educating, attending to the needs of the parents, infant and children, and by offering quality referral information, the postpartum doula can ease and enhance the postpartum experience. Every family can benefit from the support and encouragement offered by a doula during the fourth 'trimester.'"
What to expect:
One 1-hour personalized virtual postpartum planning session
Week 1: five 4-hour daytime postpartum shifts
Week 2: four 4-hour daytime postpartum shifts
Week 3: three 4-hour daytime postpartum shifts
Unlimited phone, text, and email support
Referrals as needed to community or other resources
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Includes all of the above.
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Six additional 4-hour daytime postpartum shifts for teaching/coaching,
Five 8-hour overnight postpartum shifts for rest/recovery.
Birth Doula
Through our birth doula services, we provide emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. We believe that with our support, you will gain a better understanding of delivery procedures and the postpartum healing process, and you will feel in control and confident. We provide comfort with pain-relief techniques including breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, massage, and laboring positions. We also advocate for you, encouraging and helping you fulfill specific preferences regarding the birth. Our goal is always to support and help you have a safe, positive, and empowering birthing experience during either an unmedicated birth or a cesarean. After the birth, we will encourage interaction with your new child and help you start the breastfeeding process.
When a doula is part of a family's birth team, they can*:
shorten labor by 25%
decrease requests for an epidural by 60%
decrease the likelihood Cesarean section by 50%
decrease the need for use of Pitocin by 40%
increase overall families' positive feelings about the childbirth experience
*(Klaus, M., Kennell, J., Klaus, P. Mothering the Mother: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1993).
What to expect:
A private video call or in-person consultation
One personalized pre-birth meeting that covers your hopes for your birth and details specific to your chosen birthing location, relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and other labor coping skills, getting your baby into a good position for birth, and effective communication with your care provider
24 hour on-call availability around your due date from 38 weeks onward
Unlimited labor support including early labor support in your home
Postpartum support for 1-2 hours following the birth
Unlimited phone, text, and email support before and after your birth
Referrals as needed to community or other resources
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Includes all of the above.
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Includes all of the above,
Additional pre-birth meeting that can include creating a birth plan, planning your hospital bag and other essentials needed for the first days at home, newborn care, and breastfeeding preparation,
1 postpartum visits within 2 weeks of your birth. This includes any concerns, questions or just simply talking about your birth, parenting, newborn, or breastfeeding.
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Includes all of the above,
Enrollment in one group or private childbirth class,
Weekly semi-private yoga classes from 28 weeks onward.
“I highly recommend Ewelina as a doula! She provided support during my second pregnancy and delivery. Ewelina has extensive knowledge in the birthing field. After asking me a number of questions, she explained the whole process step by step. She introduced and described every possible intervention in my situation. During the pre-delivery meeting, she not only presented the various options, but also talked about the postpartum period and how to prepare for it. Communication with her was quick and easy. ”
— JOANNA J.
FAQs
What is a birth doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to individuals before, during, and after childbirth. Unlike midwives, who are medical professionals trained to provide clinical care during pregnancy and childbirth, doulas do not perform medical tasks. Instead, they offer continuous support to the birthing person and their partner, focusing on comfort measures, emotional reassurance, and advocacy. Doulas may assist with relaxation techniques, provide massage, offer guidance in decision-making, and ensure the birthing person's preferences and desires are communicated and respected
Are doulas only for unmedicated births?
No, doulas are not only for unmedicated births. Doulas can provide valuable support to individuals regardless of their birth preferences, including those planning for medicated births, such as epidurals or other pain management options, and even scheduled C-sections. Regardless of the type of birth a person chooses, a doula's role remains consistent: to offer continuous physical, emotional, and informational support throughout the birthing process. For individuals opting for medicated births, doulas can still provide comfort measures, emotional reassurance, and advocacy. They can help the birthing person understand their options, provide guidance in decision-making, and offer support as they navigate medical interventions.
What is a postpartum doula?
A postpartum doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to individuals and families in the weeks and months following childbirth. This may include assisting with newborn care such as feeding, diapering, and soothing techniques, providing emotional support to new parents as they navigate the challenges of adjusting to parenthood, offering practical help with household tasks like meal preparation, light housekeeping, and running errands, and providing guidance and information on newborn care, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery.
Are doulas covered by insurance?
In some cases, doula services may be covered by insurance. Insurance coverage for doula services varies widely depending on factors such as the insurance provider, the type of insurance plan, and the specific circumstances surrounding the birth. Some insurance plans, particularly Medicaid, offer coverage for doula services in NJ, recognizing the value of doula support in improving birth outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. Private health insurance plans may offer reimbursement for doula services as well, but it's less common. Some individuals have successfully pursued reimbursement through flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs), depending on their plan's policies.