Frequently Asked Questions
What is a doula?
A doula is also known as a labor coach, labor assistant, or birth attendant. A doula is a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after birth. She also provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
I have an Ob or a midwife, do I need a doula?
An obstetrician is not present with a woman for the majority of her labor. Obs are around usually for interventions or to deliver the baby. Continuous support from a doula is important because studies show that women with continuous support have fewer interventions and healthier birth outcomes.
The doula does not replace the Ob or midwife. She does not provide any medical services. The doula is there to focus on a woman’s emotional well-being and physical comfort.
The doula is a key addition to a woman’s birth team. She joins the family, medical staff, and friends in helping the pregnant woman have a great birthing experience. The doula helps the woman maximize the benefit from her Ob and other medical staff because she equips her with informed questions to ask, and guidance and encouragement to communicate more effectively with her healthcare provider.
What can a doula do for me?
A doula is for a woman who wants help, information, and guidance in having a healthy birth experience. A doula is for a woman who could benefit from and is open to receiving love, attention, and emotional and physical support. Women who want a natural childbirth are excellent candidates for doulas, although women preferring interventions can benefit from doula support as well.
Does the doula displace my partner/father of the child?
Dads/partners may be on the fence about hiring a doula to help his family. He may not know what a doula is. He may be unsure about how a doula can help. The doula includes the dad/partner in supporting the mom. When a family hires a doula, mom can have continuous support because doula and dad/partner can tag team. Labor can last for hours. Dad/partner will need to use restroom facilities, eat, stretch, and maybe even nap/rest. Having a doula there for continuous support will allow mom peace of mind.
“When I first heard about doulas, I thought of them as birth interlopers. Now I don’t know how anyone could manage to give birth without one. Our doula really helped bring me together with my wife as she gave birth. My wife remembers my constant support and never-failing love or knowledge. She remembers the doula as a nice person who did some stuff in the background. We won’t give birth without a doula.” – K.H. Wiess
Can I afford a doula?
Many mothers and families wonder if they can afford a doula. The best way to find out is to call or e-mail a doula that you have in mind to inquire about her prices. The earlier a mother contracts with a doula in her pregnancy, the longer she will have to make payments to her doula. Even if she finds her doula later in her pregnancy, payment arrangements can still be made. There is no price tag that one can place on a happy and healthy birth experience. A doula is affordable in the long run.
Why does RootMama charge the fees it does?
RootMama offers extremely competitive rates for the DFW market. RootMama charges the fees it does because RootMama is not a part-time/hobby doula practice. The doulas at RootMama are fully devoted—100%, 24/7, 365—to mothers entrusted in our care. RootMama is full service. We don’t just show up at your birth and leave immediately afterwards. We take the time to develop a relationship with you, your family, and your healthcare provider. RootMama visits you in the comfort of your own home. RootMama is holistic and pulls from various practices to offer the best of what the entire world has to offer in maternal care.
A doula is also known as a labor coach, labor assistant, or birth attendant. A doula is a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after birth. She also provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
I have an Ob or a midwife, do I need a doula?
An obstetrician is not present with a woman for the majority of her labor. Obs are around usually for interventions or to deliver the baby. Continuous support from a doula is important because studies show that women with continuous support have fewer interventions and healthier birth outcomes.
The doula does not replace the Ob or midwife. She does not provide any medical services. The doula is there to focus on a woman’s emotional well-being and physical comfort.
The doula is a key addition to a woman’s birth team. She joins the family, medical staff, and friends in helping the pregnant woman have a great birthing experience. The doula helps the woman maximize the benefit from her Ob and other medical staff because she equips her with informed questions to ask, and guidance and encouragement to communicate more effectively with her healthcare provider.
What can a doula do for me?
A doula is for a woman who wants help, information, and guidance in having a healthy birth experience. A doula is for a woman who could benefit from and is open to receiving love, attention, and emotional and physical support. Women who want a natural childbirth are excellent candidates for doulas, although women preferring interventions can benefit from doula support as well.
Does the doula displace my partner/father of the child?
Dads/partners may be on the fence about hiring a doula to help his family. He may not know what a doula is. He may be unsure about how a doula can help. The doula includes the dad/partner in supporting the mom. When a family hires a doula, mom can have continuous support because doula and dad/partner can tag team. Labor can last for hours. Dad/partner will need to use restroom facilities, eat, stretch, and maybe even nap/rest. Having a doula there for continuous support will allow mom peace of mind.
“When I first heard about doulas, I thought of them as birth interlopers. Now I don’t know how anyone could manage to give birth without one. Our doula really helped bring me together with my wife as she gave birth. My wife remembers my constant support and never-failing love or knowledge. She remembers the doula as a nice person who did some stuff in the background. We won’t give birth without a doula.” – K.H. Wiess
Can I afford a doula?
Many mothers and families wonder if they can afford a doula. The best way to find out is to call or e-mail a doula that you have in mind to inquire about her prices. The earlier a mother contracts with a doula in her pregnancy, the longer she will have to make payments to her doula. Even if she finds her doula later in her pregnancy, payment arrangements can still be made. There is no price tag that one can place on a happy and healthy birth experience. A doula is affordable in the long run.
Why does RootMama charge the fees it does?
RootMama offers extremely competitive rates for the DFW market. RootMama charges the fees it does because RootMama is not a part-time/hobby doula practice. The doulas at RootMama are fully devoted—100%, 24/7, 365—to mothers entrusted in our care. RootMama is full service. We don’t just show up at your birth and leave immediately afterwards. We take the time to develop a relationship with you, your family, and your healthcare provider. RootMama visits you in the comfort of your own home. RootMama is holistic and pulls from various practices to offer the best of what the entire world has to offer in maternal care.
