Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions about your care and we have answers!
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A Birth Doula is someone who offers physical and emotional support to pregnant folks and their families during the prenatal and labour journey. They provide you with evidence based research and are there to ensure your birth space is calm and comfortable. A Birth Doula will also be there to educate/assist your main support person or partner.
A Birth Doula’s purpose is to provide you with one-on-one physical and emotional support to ensure you are getting the focused care you need. While they have general medical knowledge of labour and birth, they are not trained in diagnosing you, prescribing you medication or delivering your baby. A Midwife however is a medical practitioner who is trained in providing medical support during your pregnancy and labour and would be there to deliver your baby. All of our Doula’s are happy to work alongside both Midwives & OB’s.
Doulas are required to take Birth and/or Postpartum training courses through an accredited institution. Some examples include; DONA International, CAPPA Canada, Doula Training Canada, ProDoula, Cornerstone Doula Training, Birthing Advocacy Doula Training and many more. A Doula may or may not choose to certify officially with a governing body (ie: DONA, CAPPA or Doula Training Canada)- this does not affect their ability to work as a Doula.
Our Birth Doulas are happy to support both home births and hospital births. They want you to choose a birthing space that makes you feel the safest and most comfortable!
When working with a Birth Doula they will educate your support person on ways they can support you during labour. The Doula will also be there to answer any questions your support person might have and offer to give them meal/nap breaks while at the hospital.
When working with a Postpartum Doula they are there to ensure your support person is also resting and taking care of themselves. The Doula will encourage/remind your support person to take breaks, eat a full meal or get some fresh air. It is important to remember that a support person also experiences the postpartum period in their own way.
Feel free to reach out by call or text anytime for support. If you reach out prior to your Birth Doula’s on-call period at 37 weeks gestation, please allow up to 24 hours for them to get back to you.
Yes! Our Doulas will happily work alongside your medical care team during your labour whether you are with an OB or a Midwife.
No! Your Birth Doula is there to validate and support all the choices you make about your care.
Your Birth Doula will arrive within 2 hours if you go into labour once your on-call period begins at 37 weeks gestation. Prior to 37 weeks your Birth Doula will arrive as soon as possible.
As part of every birth package your Primary Doula will hire a Backup Doula to be on-call for you, as well. This is so that in the event your Primary Doula cannot attend your birth due to illness or emergency circumstances, you will still receive the support you need. You will have the opportunity to connect with your Backup Doula before the on-call period begins and your Primary Doula will share your birth plan/preferences with your Backup Doula.
If in-person labour support exceeds 15 hours, an overtime fee of $65/hr + HST applies and is due within 10 days of the birth. This is simply due to the fact that attending births for long periods of time can be very physically and emotionally taxing on your Birth Doula. The 15 hours included in the package is usually more than enough time. Please take a look at our Care Policy for more details about overtime fees for labour support.
Your Birth Doula is NOT in control of or responsible for outcomes. In the event that your birth results in a caesarean or VBAC your Birth Doula will provide in-person preoperative support and immediate postoperative support to help with recovery, feeding and to allow you/your family to rest.
Our Doulas understand that you may need to make changes to your schedule, but we ask that all changes to postpartum visits are made in advance of 72 before your scheduled visit. Please refer to our Care Policy for full details on postpartum cancellation.
Yes! If you are looking to purchase services or make a specific contribution amount, please email artoftula@gmail.com with your request details and we will get back to you within 72 hours.
Once the non-refundable deposit is paid upon hiring your Doula, you can discuss the best payment options for you. For Birth Doula support, all fees must be paid by 37 weeks gestation. Payments will be made be e-transfer to artoftula@gmail.com.
