New Life Doulas FAQs

Absolutely not! As your doula, we serve dad almost as much as we serve mom throughout the birthing journey. Many men approach childbirth with little to no personal experience or knowledge (outside of pop culture depictions, which can lead to some wild misconceptions!). In this regard, doulas complement the role of a childbirth education class in helping dads understand the truth of the process, and helping him boldly walk through the birth experience.

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In labor, your doula will primarily assess the relationship and support relationship present from your birth partner. Your doula will then make recommendations or fill gaps to best fit your needs. A doula's presence also allows dad the freedom to step away from the laboring woman to take care of himself as needed (you want him fed and rested enough to be of real help!).

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Finally, our culture underestimates the transformative process birth is for men. Becoming a dad (or becoming a dad again) can be a spiritual and emotional journey for many men. We want dads to have the space to embrace this process while only worrying about being physically and emotionally present for mom. There is great freedom for men in being able to turn off their "fix-it" mindset and just be  present when a doula is in attendance.

Do I need a doula if I have a midwife?

A midwife (or OB or Family Med physician) is primarily present to ensure the safety of mom and baby through the birthing process. Many of these care providers give excellent labor support and are much appreciated and needed birth team members. However, they are very rarely able to be present during labor for more than check-ins, sometimes not even being bedside until the actual birth event. 

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Even with a phenomenal care provider, most women will have a period (sometimes an extensive time) of laboring at home without the presence of a provider. During this time, your doula team can be providing continuous support while you labor in the comfort of your home.

Does a doula replace nursing staff?

Nurses are a tremendous resource for birthing families, but their medical role and responsibility sets them apart from your doula. Nurses are pulled in many different directions as they often have more than one patient, numerous medical and charting tasks to complete, and they are responsible for communicating with your care provider and carrying out the plan of care.

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In the majority of cases, these other jobs prohibit them from providing continous labor support in the emotional, physical, and spiritual way that research shows women benefit from during childbirth.

Will my doula take photos of my birth?

Your doula's primary role will be providing physical, emotional, and informational support during your birth experience. If the situation allows, your doula will happily snap photos on your own phone or camera - but we cannot guarantee the quality or quantity of these photos. We don't want our role as documenter to hinder our role as supporter!

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If however you desire to have a dedicated birth photographer present, New Life Doulas can provide referrals to some of the awesome birth photography professionals here in St. Louis. Check out our Instagram (@newlifedoulas) to see some of their work - our feed is only StL-based maternity, birth, and newborn photographers!

Do you offer postpartum support?

All families can expect one visit from their birth doula - this visit serves primarily to help mom process through her birth story. We know that the telling and retelling of a birth story helps women transition to and embrace parenthood in powerful ways. During this visit, your doula will also help with any challenges the early postpartum period has triggered (including breastfeeding difficulties) and offer community referrals when appropriate or desired.

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Additional postpartum doula support and Certified Lactation Counselor appointments can be arranged for an added fee. 

How do you deal with complications at birth?

Childbirth can (and should!) be greatly prepared for, but rarely planned out. The unknowns of the journey can be both thrilling and terrifying. Your doula team has the birth experience to help you stay calm no matter the situation at hand. The luxury of a non-medical support person on your team means that we are there solely to help you feel as informed, empowered, safe, and satisfied as possible.

What if I have a Cesarean birth?

Many hospitals now allow doulas to remain with you through your surgical birth (sometimes this requires mom to strongly advocate for herself in the moment though). A doula in the OR can help keep you calm, assist with skin-to-skin and breastfeeding, and capture photo memories on your device.

Do you offer payment plans?