Question 1

What is a doula?

Accepted Answer

The word “doula” is Greek for “woman servant”. As a doula, I am there to assist and serve you. Remind you to breathe. Teach you how to advocate for yourself. Suggest different positions. Make sure your voice is heard. Help your partner understand what is happening. Help you learn how to cope with all the changes that come with labor and newborn babies. I am in your corner, 100%. A doula is there to empower and inform, letting you know what your options are and supporting the choices you make!

Question 2

Why should I hire a doula?

Accepted Answer

Well, a doula works for YOU! Not your birth location or provider, which allows us to offer personalized education, emotional support and physical comfort as the main priority. The research speaks for itself!

A 2017 Cochrane review of 26 trials of labor support and doula care involving women from over 180 countries found the following: 
-Shorter duration of labor
-Decrease in cesarean birth
-Increase in spontaneous vaginal birth
-Decreased use of analgesia
-Higher rate of maternal satisfaction

Further evidence of these conclusions can be found at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists or at Evidence Based Birth.

Question 3

What birth locations do you serve?

Accepted Answer

I support homebirth, free-standing birth centers and hospital birth locations within a 1-hour radius of Northern Oakland County (48371 zip code). I do periodically make exceptions for families birthing at home in the Ann Arbor area and at the University of Michigan - Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital.

Question 4

When should I hire a doula?

Accepted Answer

The earlier the better! There is not a “cut off” timeframe for hiring me but my calendar does have limited availability. The earlier you hire me, the more support you can receive throughout your pregnancy. There are no discounts for hiring a doula later on, so hire early!

Question 5

How does payment work?

Accepted Answer

50% of the doula retainer fee is due at time of signed contract to reserve your space on my calendar. Beyond that, the remaining 50% is due prior to 36-weeks along in your pregnancy. You can choose to pay the latter half in small increments or all at once, I am flexible to the needs of your family. Payments are accepted via credit/debit card, check or HSA/FSA. Payment plans are available upon request and will be written into your contract once agreed upon.

*I currently accept straight Michigan Medicaid and Priority Health Medicaid. I am slowly adding more plans, so if I currently do not accept your plan, please inquiry anyway!

Question 6

What's the difference between a doula and a midwife?

Accepted Answer

Short answer: a midwife is a medical provider, meaning they can write prescriptions, order tests, perform clinical tasks, etc. A doula is a birth professional that is purely supportive, offering emotional, educational and physical support throughout your pregnancy, labor, birth and early postpartum period. We do not perform clinical tasks or give medical advice or recommendations. A midwife's job is to ensure yours and baby's safety from a clinical standpoint. A doula's job is to support your decisions, educate you and provide comfort emotionally and physically.

Question 7

What's with the "investment starting at" lingo?

Accepted Answer

I work using a fee range, which means in a consultation you'll probably hear me say something like "most families pay between X and Y so you can choose the rate within that range that is best for you." The investment for birth doula services begins at $1,600 but I understand that each family's financial situation is different. Offering services on a range gives me the chance to serve more families where they are. This also allows me to offer pro bono services to teen moms in my area and volunteer my services to families in need. If you have more questions regarding this or need a payment plan in place, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Question 8

Does a doula replace my partner?

Accepted Answer

Not a chance! I work hard to include your partner in the process and ensure they feel informed and an integral part of your journey together. Co-piloting labor is a whole thing and it's important that your partner doesn't feel left in the lurch. If you have a partner, they know you best, and I know birth. We make a great team! I'm a doula for the whole fam.

Question 9

I think I want photography AND doula services, but I'm not sure. Can I add it on later?

Accepted Answer

Short answer, YEP! If you know you want me as your doula, but are on the fence as far as professional birth photography goes, let's chat about it and see if it would be a good fit for you. You may add this service on later in your pregnancy but this service must be booked no later than 36-weeks. The add-on fee range is $800-$1,000.

Question 10

What add-on services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

You can choose to add-on:

- private childbirth education course
- photography (maternity, fresh 48, birth or family)
- private lactation course 
- postpartum herbal bath and soup cooked (and cleaned up!) in your home 
- postpartum doula hours (if availability and radius allows - within 20 miles of my home)

All of these add-on services can be selected when completing the contract!

(248) 961-7304

Frequently asked questions