Doula FAQ’s
How it all starts
First, we arrange a no cost online informal interview so that I can answer any questions you might have about the birth doula service I offer and how it might differ from other doula services, what your needs might be ( e.g. homebirth, water birth, previous birth issues, VBAC, HVBAC….) and let’s see if we connect! It’s sometimes that simple; the discovery that my attitude, birth beliefs, experience and personality align with your vision of what your ideal birth support might be. The connection works both ways of course and sometimes I just feel that I am not the right doula for you. I will happily recommend other doulas whom I trust and work with regularly. There is always a doula out there for you. You are welcome to have this 45 minute initial chat by yourself or your partner can join for all or some of it.
What happens next
After the initial chat and if we all feel that we can make the commitment, I will send you your doula contract. This lays out on-call dates for your birth and is accompanied by your non-refundable booking deposit. Once the deposit is received then I don’t take on any other bookings for that on-call period.
What it costs:
Total fee: £2000.
£1000 non-refundable booking deposit then £1000 payable at the start of your on-call period.
Refunds are only possible in exceptional circumstances.
Payment packages are always available e.g. the total fee can be paid over 6 monthly payments.
I want to make it possible for you to book my services so let’s chat about it. Please understand that this is my livelihood and that I take it seriously. When you hire a doula, you are investing in your birth and with me as your doula you have access to decades of experience, knowledge and skill.
Basic Package includes:
minimum of 2 pregnancy home visits + 1 post-natal home visit & birth debrief (the one where we talk through your birth experience - this may include reviewing your NHS birth records and may be many months after the birth). Each home visit will be approx 2 hours.
Exclusive on-call 24/7 from 38-42 weeks. This means that you can call me day or night once you feel that you are in labour. I do not take on any other clients during your on-call. I am only your doula.
Extra offerings:
You are welcome to join one of my weekly Yogabirth classes at a reduced rate. This is a great way of getting to know one another and especially for me to become familiar with how you like to move, what’s comfortable/uncomfortable and what works for you in terms of breathing and relaxation techniques. This familiarity is so important when it comes to building trust between us which means that I can tune more easily into your likes/dislikes and essential needs during labour. It gives us, quite simply, the perfect shorthand.
You can book a 1:1 birth preparation session with me in the comfort of your own home in the last 6 weeks of your pregnancy. Whether you are planning a hospital or home birth your labour will begin at home so a session like this means that I am familiar with your home surroundings, we can figure out where to put the birth pool and how to make you comfortable. My experience is that partners are often more open and relaxed at home and that they get a lot more from this kind of birth prep than they might from a group classroom situation.
You may borrow: A TENS machine/birth ball/aromatherapy oil diffuser for your on-call period.
How it works during your pregnancy
You can email/whatsApp me anytime during your pregnancy. Your midwifery appointments are few and far between and you may find the continuity of support and a trusted source of information useful. So many women just don’t know what or who to ask and Dr Google isn’t always reliable and can be scary and inaccurate.
After 30 years of working in alternative healthcare, I am very well connected to the best perinatal specialist massage therapists, osteopaths, herbalists, acupuncturists, baby experts etc in Edinburgh so I will only recommend trusted practitioners.
I ran a birth pool business in Edinburgh and so have an expertise with the required kit should you be considering pool hire/buy for homebirth.
We will spend time talking through any concerns you or your partner may have for labour, birth and new parenthood. This can be especially valuable if you have suffered a previous loss or a difficult birth experience.
We will explore lots of ideas for your birth preferences AKA The Birth Plan! Chatting through your hopes, fears and the ‘no way am I doing/having that !’ is a really useful exercise in discovering what you believe and why as well as bringing up the things you might not yet have considered.
How it works during labour
we will chat before I go on call regarding the ‘best’ time to call me in labour. I cannot safely support you beyond 24 hrs so I will guide you to use me wisely! Sometimes it’s as simple as me ‘popping in’ to see you at home, giving you some comfort ideas and emotional support and then leaving you be for awhile until labour becomes established. Most couples do just fine by themselves for the early part of labour.
Once labour has found it’s rhythm, I will come to your home where I can provide guidance, peace of mind and physical support until we feel it’s time to call your midwives for home or to travel to hospital. I will advocate on your behalf as required.
I will be a sounding board for concerns and questions during labour and will make suggestions should you and baby need them e.g. if labour is going on longer than expected, we feel baby’s position may be an issue or you are considering pain relief or other intervention.
Once baby is born, I will remain with you until you are all tucked up in bed as a new family.
How it works after birth
You may wish to be in touch in the days after birth for healing tips and feeding advice. I am happy to recommend breastfeeding experts or a maternity nurse to you should you need this kind of expertise.
I will visit you once you are ready, when we can go over your birth experience and I can answer any questions. Sometimes labour memories can be hazy and it may be many weeks later that you have questions around what and how things happened. * I highly recommend that you put in an online request for your NHS Lothian birth notes asap after your baby is born as after 40 days you will only have access to a summary of the official notes. It may be years later or perhaps when you are pregnant again that questions arise and having your birth notes may help provide answers.
