| Q: What if my husband or partner will be supporting me during labor? |
A Doula doesn't take the place of other people who will be at the birth. In fact, Doulas can guide them and help them to feel more confident in being a support person. Working side by side, the Doula and the other support person(s) create a team, which helps to ensure your comfort and peace of mind. An extra pair of hands can go a long way - especially when your partner needs a restroom break, time to eat, rest or make phone calls to friends and relatives. In addition, nurses, midwives and doctors, while caring for multiple patients, cannot be with you from early labor through the your postpartum bonding and breastfeeding moments, but a Doula can be! A Doula bridges these gaps by being with a mother continuously and being present to care just for her and her partner. Dads are sometimes skeptical about the need for a Doula and wonder if by having a doula present for the birth, they will be replaced or somehow overlooked. This is a common concern, especially for first-time dads who aren't sure what to expect during birth. However, a Doula can be a Dad's best friend! After a birth, we often hear dads day things like, "I couldn't have done it without you!" or "You really helped me to stay involved in everything!" Following their baby's birth, these Dads often tell co-workers who are expecting, "You really should hire a doula for your birth!" |
| Frequently Asked Questions Continued... |
| Q: Are doulas hired by the hospital or by me? |
The Doulas of the Southwest work as independent contractors and are chosen and hired by the parents themselves. Thus, YOU and YOUR BABY are our main concern and take our full focus. |
When you hire a private doula, you are choosing someone based on their level of experience,their specialties, and how comfortable you and your partner feel while interacting with that person. You will most likely choose a primary doula and a back-up doula, two people you can count on to support you throughout your labor and birth. They will meet with you several times before your baby is born, usually in your home. After the birth, they will follow-up with a postpartum visit in your home. The person that you hire is very likely to be the one you will speak with on the phone, who will support you during labor and help you to process your birth afterwards. When you use the hospital doula program, you are agreeing to use any and sometimes several of the doulas on their staff. Prenatally, you may speak with a "contact doula" by phone, but they are not likely to be the doula on-call when you go into labor. If you are laboring through a shift change, you are likely to be supported by the next doula on-call. Home visits are not part of the package. If you want support at home, you can hire a postpartun doula through the hospital. The benefits of using the hospital doula program include lower costs and the opportunity meet and work with several doulas. |
| Q: What are the benefits of having a private doula rather than a hospital doula? |
Insurance companies are not currently reimbursing for doula care across the board. Sometimes, people are able to get their insurance to reimburse them for the cost of a doula. Let your doula know if you would like to address this with your insurance company. Groups such as the Doulas of North America, the New Mexico State Health Department, Presbyterian Hospital and the SEAD Project are working on getting reimbursement for doulas through Medicaid and insurance companies. It is a long process. However, parents can help by discussing the benefits of doula care and the cost-effectiveness with their provider and asking that they provide coverage for doula support. *Look for the sample form "PRESCRIPTION FOR DOULA CARE" *Visit www.DONA.org for results of studies on doulas |
| Q: Will my insurance cover doula services? |
 |