FAQs - Birth Support

You likely have a lot of questions about how this all works. From payment to logistics, we've got the answers for you here. We support your family with whatever choices feel right for you. 0% judgement. 100% commitment.

Confident. Supported. Informed.

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Do you have a backup arrangement with another doula in case you're not free when I go into labour? Why did you choose them? Can I meet them? How often have you had to use them?

Yes! Having a back up doula in place, is vital to our support. Calling on a back up doula is rare but it has happened - life is unpredictable and this is why we have you covered. Generally, our back up doulas are doulas on the team. However, sometimes we do contract back up doulas outside of the team. Any back up doula will share similar doula philosophies and training - we know that we can count on them for support.

We always ensure that you have your back up doula’s contact information, if you need to reach them. You do not ever have to exchange money with your back up doula, as we have contracted them to be a backup for you. We can always set up a phone or video call for you, with your back up doula, so that you can get to know them a bit, on the off chance they attend your birth - just let us know!

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How do payments work?

50% of your package price is payable upon signing – unless you’d prefer to pay for the entire package at once, which is fine too. The final payment is due at 37 weeks or by your final prenatal visit - whichever comes first.

Payment by e-transfer is preferable but we can also accept payment via credit card, upon request. HST will be added to your invoice.

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What is your refund policy?

Unless there are extenuating circumstances (ie: a loss or Covid-19 restrictions), we are not able to offer refunds. Covid-19 has increased our ability to be flexible. In the past 18 months we have had to rejig support offerings, for some families, by moving to online support or offering extra postpartum support in lieu of birth support.

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What happens once I sign on with you?

Once you’ve chosen a package and submitted your first payment, we’ll ask you to complete e-intake and e-consent forms. Then you’ll select the dates for your prenatal visits, and text and email support, with your doula, begins immediately.

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How would you help us make decisions around our birth plan? What resources do you have available to help us?

First, let’s clarify that birth preferences is a much better descriptor than birth plan. We like to think of it like a crafting a road map - we’ll talk through all various pathways that your birth might unfold.

In our prenatal appointments, we’ll talk about your options and what we can – and can’t – plan for, so that you’re fully informed. We will guide you through exercises and specific questions to help identify your feelings – and ensure all of us are on the same page – as it relates to things like interventions. From there, we’ll identify the key areas you feel strongly about and we’ll help you craft your birth preferences. 

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Do you have any other clients due near the time I’m due?

All of the doulas on our team take on between 2-4 births per month and we do our best to ensure that due dates are spread out. That said, nobody knows when a baby will arrive! In the unlikely event that two births take place at the exact same time, your back-up would step in, as needed.

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How do you feel about epidurals / pain medication?

So long as you’re informed, we support whatever feels right for you and that includes pain medication. In our prenatal meetings, we’ll talk about your options as it relates to pain relief, as well as the advantages and any risks associated with them so you can make a fully informed decision.

We’ll also talk about how we can support you in your choices, and your pain relief options, should you choose to forego an epidural.

At the end of the day, how you feel about your birth will depend less on how it unfolded (ie: epidural vs. not) than on whether you felt informed and supported in your decisions. So that’s what we aim to provide for you, no matter what your preferences.  

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What is your accessibility like leading up to the birth for any questions? What hours are you available? What is your preferred method of communication?

Once you sign on with us, we’ll further discuss when and how to get in touch. But in a nutshell, we’re available between the hours of 9am and 9pm every day for text and email support. These times may vary based on the doula you’re working with, so please talk it through with them.

Phone and video calls can be scheduled on an as-needed basis. 

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When would you join me during labor?

By the time you’re full term, we will have a solid ‘game plan’ for when you go into labour.

Generally, we ask the birthing couple to check in with their doula after every OB/midwife appointment from 36 weeks onward, and notify them when signs of labour begin to appear.

You will remain in contact, with your doula, via text/phone, when labour begins, until the point where you feel you need them. At that time, your doula will come to your home to support you there (if desired or if your planning a home birth), and help you decide when it makes sense to go to the hospital or Birth Centre. There are other times where it just makes the most sense to meet at the hospital - i.e. an induction or things are moving a bit fast.

The main thing to remember is to communicate with your doula, every step of the way.

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Which labour-coping techniques do you think tend to be the most helpful?

We’ll talk A LOT about this in our prenatal visits. There is no way to know for sure what you’ll like during labour, so we will offer you a giant tool kit of options! We’ll explain how different active and passive postures can help, and how items in your home can also help.

Our team is experienced in using the Rebozo method, which uses a long scarf for support, as well as a TENS machine. Some of us also have training in Hypnobabies, yoga and meditation, and we all make use of practices such as affirmations and breathing. 

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How would you work with my partner to make sure they are supported and that they feel like they are supporting me?

A lot of it boils down to making sure you and your partner are on the same page, which is one of the reasons prenatal appointments are so valuable. Your partner will participate in our discussions, learn what you learn, and understand your preferences. 

At the birth itself, we’re there to support your partner as well as the birthing parent – because even the most attentive partner will need to go to the washroom or have a bite to eat eventually! 

The bottom line is that we’re not – in any way – there to replace your partner; rather we’re there to guide and support both of you. 

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How do you work with the doctors and nurses at the hospital?

Very well! Doctors and nurses at Toronto hospitals are generally pretty used to doulas, and understand our role. There isn’t any extreme overlap in terms of what we provide vs. them – they are responsible for your medical care, and we are there to support you physically and emotionally.

You can expect there to be a solid level of understanding and respect, and that everyone will work together to support you. We can promise you that, even if there’s a shift change at the hospital, we’ll be with you the whole time – which often provides a welcome continuity of care for families.

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Will you stay for the entire labour and childbirth, or do you have a time limit for longer births? How long will you stay afterwards?

In the vast majority of case, we will stay as long as your birth lasts. In the unlikely event of illness or exhaustion (if a labour were to last multiple days, for example), a back up doula would step in and take over. That’s extremely unlikely (and hasn’t happened yet!) since we only take on a limited number of births each month.

As for after birth, we stay for around 2-3 hours – until you’re settled, have tried feeding, and we’ve answered all your questions. We can also take photos for you, on your device, and help with the transfer to the recovery/postpartum ward. 

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What happens if I require an emergency c-section?

It’s a common misconception that a doula is ‘no longer needed’ in the case of a c-section – but in reality, you need just as much support; but of a slightly different kind.

If you’re having a scheduled c-section, we will spend lots of time planning, we will be at the hospital before and after (some hospitals have even let us into the delivery room, but this isn’t a guarantee), and will be there to provide the support you need as you heal and recuperate.

In the event of an emergency c-section, there’s a good chance you’ll have been in labour for quite some time already, with our support. When the decision to move to a c-section gets made, we can help you understand your choices and what’s going on, and provide support afterwards.

** Note - Current Covid-19 policies restrict doulas or additional support people from being in attendance in the Operating Room (O.R.) or the P.A.C.U. (Post Anaesthesia Care Unit). If your birth shifts into a planned or unplanned cesarean section, we will talk through your options, which will likely include either virtual support, while you’re in the P.A.C.U and Postpartum Unit or extra in home postpartum hours.**

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Do you meet with us after birth to help answer any questions?

All our birth support packages include one or two postpartum visits, where you can ask any questions you have and we’ll help you ‘digest’ your birth. Regardless of what happens, even in positive experience, it’s useful to debrief and process the experience.

We can also answer baby care questions, help with breast/feeding, and are available by text for the first month postpartum for anything that comes up. It is our goal that you feel well-supported in the days and weeks following the birth of your baby. 

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Do you offer additional services?

Yes! We offer private pre- or post-natal yoga and pilates (by request), private childbirth education, birth support, infant sleep education, babywearing education, breastfeeding education and lactation consultancy, in addition to birth and postpartum support.

That said, we do share a lot of knowledge related to these areas as part of our doula support packages.

For example, we always discuss – and provide practical strategies related to infant sleep at postnatal appointments, and breast/feeding support and babywearing education is always available to existing clients postpartum. 

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Who should I communicate with to reschedule dates or offer any feedback?

We do offer a couple models of care. Kate will be your primary contact and she will connect with your doula(s). For some of our doulas, payment will be processed through Kate and others take care of payment on their end - we will clearly communicate this with you once you’re set up with your doula.

Once you are set up with your doula or doulas, communication will primarily be through them. Kate is always available for any questions and she always welcomes feedback.

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Can you support me if …

We have worked with 100s of families, each with their own unique story. Chances are, we’ve supported a family in a similar situation to you, facing similar challenges. While each story is unique, you can rest assured that we have the experience to support your birth and baby journey fully.