Korin White
Childbirth Services
FAQ -frequently asked questions
A labor doula provides physical, emotional, and informational support before baby, during labor & birth, and just after birth. A postpartum doula provides support after baby/babies are home. These FAQ are geared toward labor doula.
Q1
Do I Need a Doula?
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I'm biased, but YES! all expecting persons NEED a doula, or at the very least continuous support throughout labor & birth of baby.
Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth: tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications, reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience, reduces the need for labor-inducing drugs, forceps or vacuum extraction, reduces the requests for pain medication and epidurals, as well as the incidence of cesareans.
Q2
How Much Does it Cost to Have a Doula?

This varies with where you are located and doula to doula. I have seen doula fees range from $500 - $1500 or more. Please don't let the cost of a doula keep you from having one. Most doulas are open to bartering, sliding scales or can set up payment plans. My current fee is $1200 for my traditional package, $700 for virtual and my starting postpartum package is $540.
Q3
What Will Our Doula Be Doing?
This depends on what you would like for your doula to do. Some laboring people just want to have a doula hold their hand while others may like a foot rub, a back rub, someone to recite affirmations and to have someone to bounce ideas off of. It is during prenatal visits that an expecting person and their doula discuss how they might envision what the doula will be doing to support them in their intimate space. Note: doulas DO NOT perform anything medical (i.e. IV's, blood pressure checks, etc).
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Postpartum doulas generally meet with their clients before the birth of their baby to learn what they would like out of the postpartum experience and how that Doula fits in. During postpartum visits, doulas generally, check-in with the birthing parent, offer assistance with feeding and care of baby and birthing person, does some light housework (emptying trash, filling/emptying dishwasher, sweeping, folding laundry, etc.), and offers up any resources that may be needed.
Q4
My Partner Will Be With Me, I Don't Want Take Away From His/Her Experience.
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A doula is not meant to take away from anyone's experience. A doula is supportive to both the expecting person and their partner and can play a crucial role in helping the partner be involved in the birthing experience to the extent that s/he wishes to be. This is something that is also discussed at a prenatal visit.
Q5
I Plan on Having a Medicated Birth. How Will a Doula Be Beneficial?
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A doula is there to provide support no matter how a pregnant person chooses to labor/birth their baby. A person's need for continuous support and encouragement does not change because an epidural is involved. Doulas can be integral in helping a laboring person with an epidural get the most out of the experience of having an epidural. A doula can offer information of knowing how to minimize the risks associated with an epidural or other medications, along with providing ways to remain comfortable.