FAQs
What does a doula do?
What is a Doula? A person who provides physical, emotional and informational support during and after pregnancy.
My job as a Doula is to provide calm and empower you and your partner during your 3rd trimester, throughout your entire labor and birth as well as postpartum care for up to a year. I can provide you with resources and hands on support. I customize my services for each client depending on their specific needs and preferences.
How does a doula differ from a midwife?
A doula provides emotional, informational, and physical support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She is there to support you during your whole labor and birth and is there specifically for the birthing person. A midwife deals with the medical side of things such as making sure the baby is healthy, performing blood pressure checks, cervical checks, and helping catch the baby and making sure the mom is doing well physically. A lot of the time a midwife does not have the opportunity to deal with the emotional side of things so that is where a doula comes in.
Does a doula replace a partner during birth?
No, on the contrary a doula works closely with the birthing person and her partner to determine what their wishes are for labor and birth. She suggests ways that the laboring woman's partner can help during the birth and encourages him to be as involved as he wants to be. If the partner needs a break to use the bathroom, take a nap, or get something to eat the doula is there to fill in for him.
When should I secure my doula services?
As soon as possible so that you can get the most bang for your buck. After you have secured my doula services I am available to answer any questions or concerns you may have during your pregnancy and I can also provide you with resources. to help you make informed choices for your pregnancy and birth.
Can I message you with questions during my pregnancy?
Yes! Absolutely! An open form of communication is encouraged so that we can be comfortable with each other and not feel awkward when it comes time for you to give birth. It gives me more insight into your needs and concerns for birth and helps us to build trust.
Where did you do your training?
What is your vision?
To be able to hold, comfort, support, nurture, love and create a community of love without judgement. I want to help people see how sacred life and walk alongside them through their journeys in pregnancy and postpartum. Less fear and more wonder for the amazing, beautiful thing that birth is!!
It took me a long time to decide on the name I wanted to use for my business and I just couldn’t figure it out for myself. I prayed earnestly asking God for wisdom and direction for a good name and vision for the business. I went to sleep and I dreamed. In the dream I was walking down the street and someone walked up to me and handed me a pamphlet with the words “Doulas of Hope” written on it in gold writing. I woke up and felt like that was God’s way of speaking to me about my business name. My desire is to join with other doulas so that we can bring hope to new families and support them in creating new birth. Every doula has something to offer. By working together, I believe families can be better supported.
How did you come up with name "Doulas of Hope"?
I am proudly certified with DONA International since May 2021 and I did my training with the amazing Judi Calhoun here in Terrace, BC.
What is your ideal client?
My ideal gal is full of life and not afraid of birth and believes her body is fully capable of birthing any size baby. She welcomes physical and emotional support from those around her and voices her needs. She is active and energetic and welcome to suggestions and adapted to change. She has a positive outlook on life and is committed to researching about birth and empowering herself. I realize not a lot of women have this mindset and that is totally ok. My hope is to encourage this in all women by believing in them, educating them, and being there for them even when things don't turn out as planned.