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CHILDBIRTH SERVICES
Cloud Nine
Frequently Asked Questions
Chances are you have many of the same questions and concerns as other expectant parents out there. Here are a few of the most common ones. Please contact me if you'd like to talk about these or any others.
01
Hiring a doula is a big investment. How can I justify it?
Let's find out if we're a good match for one another first. Then if we are, ask yourself if money wasn't an issue is working with me something you'd want to move forward with? If so, what would you have to get out of it to make your investment worth it to you?
Consider how much you spent on your wedding. Your honeymoon. Your last vacation or big ticket item. If you're short on money, recall how you came up with the payment for these other events/items and brainstorm ways you could do the same for doula care.
02
What if my partner is unsure about making this investment?
Once again, let's start by meeting to see if I'm the right one to support you. If I am, please have an honest conversation with your partner. Let him/her know just how important having a doula is to you and what arrangments or sacrifices you are willing to make to make it happen. Find out if there is anything else he or she needs to know to in order to get on board. What would have to happen in order for him/her to feel like having a doula was one of the best decisions he or she has ever made.
My hope is that this conversation AND your consultation with me will bring the two of you closer together and moving in the same direction -- for your own wellbeing and for that of your baby.
03
Does a doula take the place of the father/co-parent at the birth?
While a doula offers insight into the birthing process in a way the father/co-partner cannot, she does not possess the same love and dedication to the mother and baby that he does. Instead, she offers knowledge of birth and acts as a calm presence and an example for him to follow if need be.
04
I really like my OB/midwife, and my partner/mom/best friend will be there. Is a doula really necessary?
In short, no. A doula is not a need. (Nor is one a luxury exactly either.) She is a unique piece of the puzzle that can help make your baby's birth and newborn period a more joyous and less overwhelming experience.
05
Are doulas only for parents who are planning natural births?
Absolutely not! While most of the parents who contact me are planning an unmedicated birth, anyone can benefit from a doula's knowledge of birth and continuous support during labor. No matter what type of birth you're planning or where, your age or health condition, or whether this is your first child or fifth, every mother AND father deserve a doula.
06
Is it too early, or too late, to hire a labor doula?
If you've just found out you're pregnant I can help you determine what type of provider and birth location are best for you. If you're approaching your due date and have just learned about the benefits of doula care we can try to arrange two prenatal visits before the birth or an additional postpartum visit is there is not time for two beforehand.
I hired a doula because I was hoping for a successful Vbac after my first child was born via c-section. During our two meetings prior to the birth Ashley provided useful information in preparing for a vbac delivery and provided me with a variety of resources so that I would have as much knowledge as I wanted prior to the delivery.
Ashley's calm and warm demeanor made both my husband and I feel very comfortable going into this birth and she never made us feel pressured to try something or to do something that we weren't comfortable with. Instead, she presented us a variety of options and made us think about things that we wouldn't have considered if we had not had a doula, but left all of the decisions in our hands and was there to support us no matter what our decisions would be.
When I was admitted into the hospital for having high blood pressure Ashley was instantly available and was able to offer insight via the telephone before arriving at the hospital. Once she arrived I felt a sense of peace and calmness and she truly gave me the extra encouragement that I could have this baby vaginally and didn't need to do an elective c-section despite doctors saying that the baby was going to be large.
I am convinced that my vaginal delivery was successful and really pretty easy due to the help of Ashley. She encouraged me throughout labor and her presence was wonderful while pushing which only lasted 15 minutes.
I would highly recommend Ashley Kim as a doula as her knowledge, attitude and overall personality would be such an asset to your birth.
Lisa D., VBAC Mom