Frequently Asked Questions                                                                      

When do I call my doula during labor?

It is best to call your doula as soon as you begin labor to alert her that you may be needing her soon. Continue to update her throughout early labor and call with any questions you may have. A doula usually joins you when YOU are ready to have her support.

Do I get to interview doulas?

Absolutely, and you should. Each doula will have her own set of skills and you also want to make sure that the person you are choosing to help you through labor is someone you feel comfortable with. This meeting will be free of charge.

When should I begin to look for a doula?

It is best to start looking for a doula sometime in your second trimester, or early in your third. A doula's schedule is often booked months in advance, and to ensure that she is available when you go in to labor you should look early. A doula is also a wonderful informational reference if you are finding gaps in your primary care, and this early contact can help you feel confident and supported long before contractions begin!

However, if you are late in your pregnancy, you can still try to find a doula to support you. There are doulas who are on call for hospitals or who work for themselves who often can show up to your labor at the drop of a hat. Ask your midwife or doctor if you are already in labor and want a doula to support you.

Are there any reasons my doula would not be at my labor?

Once you and your doula have decided to work together, she would only miss your labor in cases of TRUE emergency or illness. Ask your doula if she works with a back-up in case this happens.

My husband will be at my labor, so why would we need a doula?

This is a very common question with a rather complex answer. A doula is there to support BOTH the laboring woman and her partner. A doula is not there to replace or usurp the father's role in supporting his partner through her labor. Many fathers have not been through a labor, however, and do not know how they themselves will react to the sights, sounds, smells and high emotions of labor. A labor can go many directions, and last many hours. A doula is someone who can enhance the father's role so that he is comfortable as well as the mother. She can offer suggestions to help the father fit into his role, and she can also allow the father time to eat, use the bathroom and even sleep if he needs. A partner's role in labor is unique, and the doula respects the relationship of the parents very much. After all, no one knows the laboring mother as well as her partner!

What kind of training do doulas have?

Doulas are one of the world's oldest professions, and traditionally the role of labor support was of the women relatives of the laboring woman. Today, most doulas have completed some sort of formal training. Many doulas are certified by an organization such as DONA (Doulas of North America). Equally important training happens from experience, so even doulas without certification or formal training can be wonderful support for you during labor.

How much does a doula cost? Are there any free doulas?

You can expect to pay between $300-$1000, and most doulas work on a sliding scale to find an amount that is both comfortable for your family's pocketbook, and for the doula. Some doulas will offer their services and support for free if your family is truly unable to pay. If you are unable to pay, contact the Juneau Family Health and Birth Center's Strength in Families Program by calling (907) 586-1203.

Do we meet at all during my pregnancy?

Ideally, a doula will get to know you and your birth partner(s) before labor begins. One or two meetings is usual, and you should be able to call and email your doula anytime.

What qualities should I look for in a doula?

The single most important thing a doula can offer you is comfort, so look for someone you feel at ease with, and that you like to be around. This relationship is one of mutual respect, so be sure you feel that way if you are going to have her at this very important event in your life.

What kinds of births do doulas attend? Out of Hospital? In Hospital? Cesarean?

Doulas will accompany you in your labor wherever it takes you, wherever it begins to wherever it ends. Doulas are nonjudgmental about your chosen birth space, and are with you to support you in the decisions you make in advance and during your labor and birth. This means a doula will be with you at your home birth or in your hospital suite; at a birth center or in the operating room!