Doula (doo·luh)
noun: not a midwife. not a doctor. a trained support person solely focused on your emotional wellbeing and physical comfort during pregnancy and birth.
How can doula support impact your birth and postpartum experience?
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Pregnancy through parenthood can be an emotional journey. Doulas support families as they navigate the ups and downs of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
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Doulas offer education and information about pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, including the process of labor and birth, common medical procedures, and infant care. Doulas help to facilitate communication between providers and patients.
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Doulas can fill in the gaps relating to your physical care during and after birth. Doulas can provide birthing people with physical comfort in labor through gentle touch, massage, and physical support at home during the postpartum period.
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Doulas advocate for families by centering your voice in the birth room, and by helping families gain confidence to advocate for themselves. Doula help you ask the right questions so you can receive the best care for your body, baby, and birth.
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Doulas support is applicable to all birth outcomes and modes of delivery including pregnancy and infant loss, surrogacy, elective terminations, c-sections, and even adoption. Doulas meet parents where they are!
Before birth
As your doula, I offer emotional and informational support during pregnancy. Together, we will discuss the fears/concerns that you and your partner may have about pregnancy and birth. During this time, I will assist with birth planning, reviewing your basic human rights as a birthing person, and practice comfort techniques to cope with labor sensations. Prenatal doula visits are designed to empower you to be an advocate for your body and your baby.
During birth
As your doula, I offer physical support and encouragement during your labor and delivery. My role will be to create a calm and comfortable atmosphere wherever you choose to deliver- at a hospital, birthing center, or at home. I will be by your side to help inform you and your partner about the choices you have during the labor and delivery process. My goal is that your experience of birth will be remembered as positive, and empowering.
Just after birth
As your doula, I offer resources for newborn care, as well as infant feeding and postpartum support. This is a time used to reflect on your birth experience, and ease the transition into parenthood. I will be by your side to answer questions and offer emotional support as you adjust to life with a new family addition.
The Downtown Doula Package: — $2,300
This package is ideal for first time parents and parents who have experience with pregnancy and birth. Virtual support via video calling and screensharing is optional for parents who may not be able to have an additional support person with them during birth.
The Downtown Doula service package includes:
1 hour interview session to determine if our partnership is a good match
2-4 prenatal consultations
Birth planning session with you and your birth support member(s)
Consultation on self-advocacy in healthcare
Comfort measures demonstration for labor
Overview of basic childbirth education
Pregnancy/birth resources and local referrals
24-hour text, call, and email support at 38 weeks of pregnancy
Supportive presence during labor and delivery
Backup doula support upon request
1-2 postpartum visits
Birth Doula Support Services
Doula Services for MassHealth Members — $0
MassHealth covers doula services for eligible MassHealth members while they are pregnant, during delivery, and up to 12 months after delivery. This coverage is inclusive of all pregnancy outcomes, and for members who are adoptive parents of infants under one year old.
MassHealth covers doula support during labor and delivery, and up to 8 hours of perinatal visits, which can be used at any time during pregnancy and within 12 months after the pregnancy ends. Perinatal visits above the eight-hour limit require prior authorization based on medical necessity. Please book a consultation to confirm eligibility. Check out Mass.gov for more information.
The MassHealth Doula service package includes:
1 hour interview session to determine if our partnership is a good match
2-4 prenatal consultations (up to 8 total hours of perinatal visits before prior authorization for additional support hours)
Birth planning session with you and your birth support member(s)
Consultation on self-advocacy in healthcare
Comfort measures demonstration for labor
Overview of basic childbirth education
Pregnancy/birth resources and local referrals
24-hour text, call, and email support at 38 weeks of pregnancy
Supportive presence during labor and delivery
Backup doula support upon request
1-2 postpartum visits (up to 8 total hours of perinatal visits before prior authorization for additional support hours)