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Q. How do I know if I actually need a doula?
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A birther doesn’t *need* anybody but themselves. I truly believe that people who grow + birth entire humans are totally badass and can literally do ~anything~ so the question is, do you want a doula? Do you want to consult Google, or have a professional on speed-dial who goes to births for a living? Do you want a birth concierge-type service, or do you have the energy to DIY everything? Do you want a source of continuous care throughout all four trimesters, or primarily medical care concentrated in the last few weeks of pregnancy? Do you want your partner to be cared for too, or are they good? Only you know if you would truly benefit from a doula but I’d say everyone who wants to have a good, safe, empowered experience should plan to have a doula.
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Q. How do you work with my partner?
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My specialty is birth and your partner’s specialty is you; both of our focus is completely on caring for you, getting you what you need and making sure the experience is everything you want. Over the course of the pregnancy I get to know you *and* your partner, and when it’s go-time I make sure your partner feels included and integrated in the labour.
Another way to say it? Your partner is Batman and I’m Robin, meaning that they’ll always be your hero and I’m the side-kick who helps make them look good. |
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Q. And if I don’t have a partner? Or if I'm planning on having my mom or someone else there?
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I’m no stranger to being the sole support person at a birth and I've also been to births that are a true birthday *party* with both sets of grandparents, siblings, cousins, and friends in attendance -- but regardless of who is (or isn’t) in the room, my priority remains the same: you. I always show up with the sole intent of making this experience as magical as possible *for you* because remember: there's no right or wrong way to do this, no good or bad guest lists... my work is to help make sure this feels good every step of the way.
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Q. What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife? Or a doula and a nurse?
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Both midwives and nurses are medically-minded care providers, meaning that they take care of the clinical part of your pregnancy, birth and immediate postpartum. Midwives, OBs and nurses are the ones who do cervical checks, monitor the fetal heart rate, and care for the general health of both you and baby.
Although a lot of my care is done in the birth space, I’m often the first person by your side when you’re in labour and I’m there for you in the postpartum period long after you say goodbye to your nurse, midwife or OB. I become your pregnancy BFF as we build our relationship in the months and weeks leading up to labour, I tend to your emotional and physical needs as you birth your baby and then I’m a pillar of support and love as you figure out this whole parenthood thing. Short answer: midwives and nurses care for your health, I care for your well-being. |
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Q. Do I need a doula if I know I want an epidural?
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Whether you’re planning on doing this with or without an epidural, soooo much work is done in the time leading up to that moment; do you know when to go to the hospital to get an epidural? Do you know when it's too early or too late one? What about the different labouring positions and pushing techniques with an epidural? Or how to increase the likelihood of labour progressing well and avoiding a cesarean if that's important to you? What if you can't get an epidural right away, what coping techniques will you use? Or what if the block is uneven or patchy?
Birth is more than the day-of process -- it's about having good information to make the best decisions possibility at all points of pregnancy and the postpartum, and the epidural is just one moment in that process. Choosing to use medical pain management doesn't take away from my work, it adds to it because my role is to support you in getting whatever you want. |
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Q. At what point should I hire a doula? And when do we actually start working together?
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It’s never too early to start working with me. I take a limited number of clients per month, so booking earlier means guaranteeing support. Also the sooner we connect, the more I can get to know you and the more I know you, the better I can support you.
As soon as you sign the contract and send the deposit, I am on-call for you 24/7. I help you with anything and everything (choosing a care provider, finding prenatal exercise you actually like, baby registries, how to handle weird or crappy pregnancy symptoms, etc.) and then as of 30 weeks we start the birth and postpartum prep. Our prenatals cover all you’d expect from working with me: your birth plan, how to manage early labour, labouring positions, birthing positions, I give your birth partner all my best doula tricks, we chat lots about newborn prep and how to handle the demands of the fourth trimester. |
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Q. What does on-call 24/7 really mean?
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It means I’m here for you 24/7. Literally.
My phone is always on and I’m always a call or message away. For anything. At any time. You can text me whenever you have a question, whenever you want to chat, whenever you're having a feeling you want to share. If you’re worried or something doesn’t feel right, I’m here. If you got some great news and want to share or celebrate, I’m here. And being on-call also means I drop everything at the drop of a hat (or in this case, of a ring of a phone) to be there with you when you're in labour. I miss birthday parties, exercise classes, date nights, concerts, family reunions, volunteer meetings, hang outs with friends all the time -- all to be there when you need me most. *And there is no where in the world I'd rather be than with you.* |
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Q. What if I end up with a cesarean?
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Whether it’s planned or a surprise, I help you navigate the often complex and emotionally-charged reality surrounding a cesarean birth. Although the birth may now have become medically-managed, it’s still a deeply personal and transformational experience and I make sure you have all the information and support in place so it’s still as empowering and fulfilling as possible. Each birth comes with its own set of challenges and blessings, and a cesarean birth is no different; I’ll be there to answer your questions, help you process and recover, and thrive as a new parent alongside your newborn.
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Q. What hospitals do you work at?
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I serve St. Joseph’s, Mount Sinai, Toronto Birth Centre, St. Michael’s, Sunnybrook, Michael Garron, Credit Valley, Queensway, Etobicoke General, Humber River, and Mississauga Hospital. And if I really love you, I’m willing to travel to Milton District, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial, Brampton Civic and Georgetown. And home births. I love home births.
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Q. Amiga, escuché que hablas español, ¿es verdad?
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No es que solamente hablo castellano, pero AMO el idioma. Amo todo que ver con la lengua, con la gente, con la comida -- debo haber sido latina en una vida pasada. Pero en esta vida, viví en Perú por 2 años y Venezuela por 3 entre los años 2012 y 2017 (llevo tu luz y tu aroma en mi piel). Sería un honor servirle en su idioma natal si le parezca ♥️
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