A little background information about me:

My name is Jess. I am a mommy to 8 kiddos and we are currently expecting number 9! I have had a calling to work with pregnant women since I was a little girl. I remember telling my mom that I wanted to be a Doctor that delivered babies. I am currently in school to become a Midwife! The process of labor and birth has always been beautiful to me. I want to support women every step of the way and help them get that beautiful, peaceful, blissful birth that every woman deserves and is capable of. We are women, we are strong. Our bodies are amazing vessels that God made perfectly for the process of bringing life into this world.

 

FAQ

If I have a doctor why do I need a Doula?

Doulas are all about you. Doulas can be a personal resource guide. Doulas can help lower birth risks. Doulas provide additional support to doctors. Doulas provide support to your partner. Doulas are easier to find these days.

How does a Doula differ from a Doctor or Midwife?

Doula’s are non-medical support for pregnancy and labor. We provide support in a number of emotional and physical ways and do not leave your side in labor. We do not perform clinical or medical tasks such as take blood pressure, monitor your baby’s heart rate, or perform vaginal exams.

How can hiring a doula contribute to the outcome of my birth?

The evidence shows that professional labor support can have some of the following effects:

• labors with doulas present were shorter and fewer complications
• emotional support reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
• reduces the need for Pitocin, forceps or vacuum extraction
• reduces the requests for pain medication and epidurals, as well as the incidence of cesareans
• significantly reduces the rates of cesareans

Overall, women who received continuous support were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have any pain medication, epidurals, negative feelings about childbirth, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and C-sections. In addition, their labors were shorter by about 40 minutes and their babies were less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth.

What does this mean?

It means that if you have continuous labor support (that is, someone who never leaves your side), you are statistically more likely to have better outcomes and your baby is more likely to have better outcomes!

Does a Doula make decisions on my behalf?

A doula does not make decisions for clients or intervene in clinical care. We encourage you to be your own advocate in pregnancy and birth. As doulas, we provide informational and emotional support, while respecting a woman’s decisions. A doula will offer a breadth of information and evidence based practices to consider. It is ultimately your responsibility to make choices concerning your body and your baby.

Do you accept insurance?

At this time insurance carriers do not usually cover doula services, however, some have flex payment plans that will now reimburse you for doula services and occasionally you can find out about billing codes that your insurance company will accept. Contact your insurance company for their specific requirements.

Do you support clients who plan to use pain medication?

Absolutely! Doulas support a woman’s right to choose how THEY wish to birth. The includes supporting a laboring woman who chooses to labor unmedicated or medicated.